| Starts: | Friday 29th August 2014 at 05:00pm |
|---|---|
| Ends: | Saturday 30th August 2014 at 04:00pm |
An exciting new addition to St Austell’s historic Market house opens its doors for the first time next week with the help of the Kernow King and Cornwall's Rock Choir.
Ways with Willow is a charitable organisation who promote the traditional craft of willow weaving through a variety of different courses, workshops and products, and also deliver training, volunteering and employment opportunities to disadvantaged and vulnerable adults.
Their new premises in the 170 year old building opens with a special launch event on Friday 29th August, when the Kernow King will be cutting the ribbon at 5pm, and having a go at weaving himself! Cornwall's Rock Choir will also be performing.
Several other traders are also involved and the event marks something of a regeneration for the Market House. Having once hosted speeches from Churchill and Gladstone, a major grant application is in hand with the Heritage Lottery Fund, which will put about £2m worth of investment into the Grade II listed building. Future plans involve renovation of the Town Hall rooms and use of the first floor market space as an evening theatre or concert venue.
Sian Hill , Ways With Willow founder says,
"We’re delighted to be in a building which is so steeped in history. Since we launched in 2012 we’ve been able to help 529 disadvantaged adults and young people, and have worked with over 1,000 adults and children through courses and workshops, community projects and at events.
Our move into the Market House means we can offer more opportunities to even more people. Willow is an amazingly versatile and therapeutic material, and weaving helped me at a very difficult time of my life. Staff and volunteers have been working hard over the past couple of weeks to transform our new shop and workshop, and I can’t wait to see it all finished and open our doors"
An open day will be held on Saturday 30th August, with free willow weaving workshops from 10am – 4pm and other special offers. The social enterprise will be running a variety of courses and workshops from September from half-day and full-day courses to free family workshops. Every Wednesday between 10am and 3pm is a volunteering day, where anyone who would like to support their projects and lend a hand can drop in. Full details are available on www.wayswithwillow.co.uk or on their Facebook page.
