THE popular Liskeard Unlocked event – part of the national Heritage Open Days annual festival – is returning from September 10 to 18, with activities happening outside and online and with some key buildings safely open.
It is aimed at anyone interested in local stories or who would like to see behind doors which are usually closed. The national theme for Heritage Open Days is food and local events (mostly food-themed) and the programme in Liskeard includes:
Friday,
September 10
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2.30pm: Bees and Beekeeping Talk – Hosted by the Old Cornwall Society in the Main Hall at The Public Hall. An illustrated talk by a local beekeeper and honey producer Dale Wood, where his honey will be on sale (map location 1).
7pm-8pm: A Look In Liskeard’s Larders In Times Gone By – Talk by the Old Cornwall Society. An online Zoom talk looking at food and drink available through Liskeard’s history register via Eventbrite https://bit.ly/36tV6Ek or Liskeard Tourist Information Centre
5pm: On the VisitLiskeard.co.uk Liskeard Unlocked page there is also a video tour of Trehawke House (the former NatWest Bank building) with new owner, Nigel Eadie.
Saturday,
September 11
Today a number of houses and buildings will be open, including Westbourne House, which was owned in the 19th century by the richest man in Liskeard, Richard Hawke, but was bought in 1948 by Cornwall County Council and for many years was occupied by Social Services. See the beautiful original features and what the new owners are doing to restore it.
10am-1pm: Pendean House – A fully restored Victorian home with unusual woodcarvings and interesting gardens. Its history includes being a Dental Surgery and a Children’s Home (map location 3).
10am-1pm (and weekdays 10am-4pm): Liskeard and District Museum – Visit the museum to see the food outlets in Liskeard in times gone by and take a look at what was being prepared in the kitchen from the 50s and 60s (map location 8).
10am-1pm (and Monday 10am-1pm): Methodist Church – Interesting Grade II-listed building. Come and see displays around spices and some of the famous meals in the bible. The church will also be decorated for the harvest celebrations (map location 7).
10am-1pm: St Martin’s Church - Explore St Martin’s Church, seeing the history behind the building and how it has been a place of Christian worship for over 800 years (map location 5).
10am-2pm: The Pipewell – This well was once the principal water source for the town centre and is fed by four springs. The iron gates, which are normally locked to protect the well (and the magic stone it contains), will be open so that visitors can see the full extent of the water source (map location 4).
2pm-5pm: Westbourne House -–A rare opportunity to visit this substantial Grade II-listed town centre building. The new leaseholders, Wildanet, are undertaking a complete restoration. Visitors will be able to see their progress and read and hear of the house’s history dating back to 1816 (map location 6).
Also on Saturday, September 11
10am-1pm: Food Market and display – In the Cattle Market events space, shop safely for local food and find out about the history and future of the Cattle Market site. What was life and food like in the old workhouse? Also Food Bank collection - please bring long-life food (map location 2).
Sunday,
September 12
10am: Stroll around eateries and food shops from way back - Meet in the Cattle Market events space for a gentle circular walk with Brian Oldham around Liskeard to learn the stories of buildings which were food shops or eateries in times gone by. To join you must book a place with the Tourist Information Centre before noon on Friday, September 10, by calling 01579 559567 (map location 2).
2pm: Selected stonework stories – Meet in the Cattle Market events space and join geologist Calum Beeson to examine the source, quality and workmanship of the stonework of five of Liskeard’s prominent 19th century buildings. To join you must book a place with the Tourist Information Centre before noon on Friday, September 10, on 01579 559567 (map location 2).
Saturday,
September 18
2pm-5pm: Tea Treat Celebration – In Castle Park. Traditional Cornish tea treats involved a Sunday school parade and service, as well as games and, of course, tea treat buns. Come and join us for food and activities including a teddy bears’ picnic with a prize for the best-dressed teddy (judging at 3pm), tea-time treats from The Real Junk Food Project, games with School of the Wild, a self-guided nature trail, and food and nature displays and demonstrations. Find out more about community gardening and free local cookery classes. Supported by Making Space for Nature, Liskeard Together, Cornwall Housing, Liskeard Hive and the Caradon Orchard Group (map location 9).
Online Cooking demonstrations with Liskeard Together - Learn how to make tasty, easy and cheap meals with food from local shops in this series of videos which you can see on the VisitLiskeard.co.uk or Liskeard Unlocked page or via Liskeard Together. These short films will show that no matter what your age or ability, you can have a go as six-year-old Harley Hancock (Gran Mandy only helped to keep it safe) shows when he makes tasty chocolate buns. There will be lots of variety to check out.
The Liskeard Together project helps those not in paid work to take a step towards training, work or connecting with a local community project. They offer a range of online courses. Check their Facebook Page, call 07837 432044 or email [email protected].
For further information on these events and any updates see https://www.visitliskeard.co.uk/view-event/liskeard-unlocked-heritage-open-days-5/