Past Workshops, Courses and Events


WEA Permaulture Courses (Feb-May 2024)

Short, one and two day courses, in partnership with the WEA, were held on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the Spring of 2024 for anyone over 19 wanting to get their hands in the soil, with support and tuition from an experienced WEA Tutor. The tutor had a permaculture and youth work background and worked closely with our own Head Grower Hugh Taylor.

 

Spring Open Day (March 2024)

On the Sunday before Easter, every year, we host our Spring Open Day for the local community. We have stalls; information on growing, conservation &volunteering; demos; tool sharpening; talks; crafts; games; and food.

Conservation, Charity and Information stalls in attendance 2024:

Photos

 
Creating Positive Energy Workshop (April 2025)

A personal development and wellbeing workshop led by Yvonne Thompson of Change Innovators, one of

our farm volunteers. This workshop was crash course in building personal development and resilience plans.

Feedback:

“Excellent. Demonstrated by Yvonne’s ability to weave themes effortlessly.”

“In depth knowledge, I felt I could ask

questions and get helpful answers”

“The discussion around shared parenting and celebrating differences was particularly helpful for me”

“Effective use of time and subject content”

“Yvonne’s ability to maintain continuity throughout whilst being able to address matters as they arose was brilliant.”

“Yvonne provided clear guidelines and shared her own very personal experiences.”

“Felt very safe and private when I wanted it to be”

 
Darks Skies Moth Watching Events (June & July 2024)

The aim of these events was to discuss and observe the benefits of Dark Sky Parks on biodiversity – specifically moths. Funded by St Just Town Council. 

The events started with a tour around with Nick Taylor, looking at the various habitats and features around the site and setting up moth traps.

The main event of each evening was setting up the Mercury vapour bulb lamp, and gathering around to see what would arrive out of the dark. We weren’t disappointed, as the

evenings got darker more and more species of beautiful moths arrived. At each event, we were visited by at least 30 species of moths, including the lovely Elephant Hawk Moth, the Wonderfully coloured Peach Blossom Moth, and the ethereally beautiful White Plume Moth.

The evening revealed some wonderful creatures, giving us a glimpse into how important our dark skies are for many kinds of wildlife in Penwith. 

The following mornings some folks returned, and were rewarded with even more species in the portable traps. These included the Buff Tip and Garden Tiger moths.

Feedback:

‘Opened my eyes to so many new things about moths’

‘Saw loads of moths that I had never seen before and identified them as a group. First experience of Moth traps and mercury lights.’

‘So many varieties of all shapes and

sizes, wonderful!!’

‘Sitting around the light waiting for the moths to arrive was fantastic. So many more than we expected!’

Photos

 
Scything Workshop (June 2024)

In June 2024 we hosted a Scything Workshop with professional scyther and tutor Tom Waters of Scythe Kernow. The 1-day workshop taught participants how to correctly use a scythe for land management, and a demonstration of peening skills.

For more information on Scything, listen to our bonus podcast episode with Tom

Feedback:

‘Taught thoughtfully gently and with humour , also we were given opportunities to try different situations which allowed us to learn more fully.’

‘Right balance of talking and doing. Tom is a great teacher.’

 
Clay Tile Workshops (August 2024)

We hosted 5 FREE, fully-funded workshops with ceramic artist Angela Trzaska to learn clay techniques (slips, stamps, sgraffito, pinch-pot sculptures) and to help decorate communal spaces at Bosavern. These workshops were delivered in partnership with Artswell, through Levelling Up funding.

Participants used plants from around the farm to decorate clay tiles which were later glazed and fired before being displayed in our community polytunnel.

Photos

 

 
Wildflower Walk, Talk and Seed Collection (August 2024)

Our Wildflower Propagation group Team Lead, Nick Hall, led two of these events in the summer. Members of the public had a tour of the wildflower spaces at Bosavern accompanied by a discussion from Nick, followed by local species seed collection and sowing in reused egg boxes.

 
Fantastical Bee Mosaic Workshops (September 2024)

We hosted two free, fully funded Mosaic Workshops with Tough Dough CIC. Participants used heritage artefacts and found objects dug up by archaeologists, staff and volunteers over the years to create fantastic bees and other insects that will eventually be displayed along our nature trail. These workshops were delivered in partnership with Artswell, through Levelling Up funding.

Photos

 

 
Harvest Celebration (October 2024)

We hold our annual Harvest Celebration every October: a community day  open to everyone with stalls, talks, tours, demos, food, crafts. In 2024, we were pleased to be joined by  Bagas Fellyon, a Cornish Nos Lowen band, accompanied by some dance leaders to get everyone up and moving!

Conservation, Charity and Information stalls in attendance 2024:

Photos

 

Community Garland Workshops (November 2024)

Members of the local community collaborated to create large garlands and an archway using natural materials. The workshops were led by Touch Dough CIC, in partnership with Artswell, and funded by Levelling Up.

The finished pieces were displayed in our community polytunnel and farm shop to make the spaces more welcoming in the winter months.

Photos