MyCornwall Dec2020/Jan2021

It seems that this year’s festive season has received a particularly warm welcome, especially by those who are keen to inject a little bit of light and hope after what has been a difficult year. Once again, we are inspired and humbled by the incredible acts of kindness people in Cornwall have shown to others, whether it is supporting those who will find this Christmas tough, or championing the importance of supporting local businesses, makers and artists.

In light of recent circumstances, and the latest lockdown, this issue of myCornwall is a little different. Inside you will find our Guide to a Cornish Christmas, which features a wide variety of Cornwall’s makers, small businesses, artists, producers and more. It’s a guide we have been making, curating and publishing for years, popular across Cornwall and free to pick up, and this year was set to be no exception, but sadly when the announcement of the second lockdown hit, we had to adapt quickly. By including our wonderful guide in our magazine, the fantastic businesses featured get the recognition they deserve, and our readers get plenty of great ideas for stocking fillers, special gifts, unique experiences and more. Find a range of affordable, handmade and high-quality gifts, from gin and chocolate to jewellery and artwork. If you’re determined to make this Christmas totally Cornish, then our guide is here to help and offer you plenty of inspiration as to how.

North Coast Asylum is our innovative Gallery of the Month

Alongside the inclusion of our Guide to a Cornish Christmas, you’ll find plenty of the usual myCornwall content. Our ever-explorative contributing writer Elizabeth Dale looks at the history and heritage of fabulous Fowey and we sit down with Hypatia Publishing Editor Linda Cleary to chat through the charity’s brand-new book, Invisible Borders, a publication that captures the works from renowned and emerging writers across Cornwall and beyond.

Renowned artist Eric Ward takes to Portscatho to show us why he loves this slice of south east Cornwall.

From virtual exhibitions to online shops, we’re valuing the virtual world just as much as the physical one this issue. We’ve got an extra special Gallery of the Month, with former online gallery North Coast Asylum showing off their recently opened, stunning renovated chapel in the heart of Newquay. Showcasing contemporary art from mid-career and emerging artists, this latest edition to Cornwall’s art scene is all about championing creativity that deserves recognition. Meanwhile, our Adore my Store sees Falmouth’s historically known arts centre The Poly tell us all about their latest online development of their maker focused store, The Guild. When it comes to food, Penzance based Jess is known as the local donut queen, and from growing her small business Beige Donuts on Instagram to now having her own bakery space in Market Jew Street supplying to eateries across Cornwall, adapting in adversity has seen this innovated young baker create a modern mini foodie enterprise that’s a hit with donut lovers across west Cornwall.

Sublime Baked Goods - Beige Donuts

As we head into a new year, here at myCornwall we would like to wish you all a Nadelik Lowen ha Bledhen Nowdydh Da (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year) and to thank you, our cherished readers, collaborators and clients for your continued support these past months. We are immensely proud to be part of Cornwall’s creative communities!

Our cosy front cover courtesy of Laura Page Illustrations.