Things to do in June/July

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1. ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW

It’s back, after two years of pandemicinduced cancellations. The Royal Cornwall Show (June 9 to 11) is the county’s biggest annual event, full of exhibits and activities from entertainment and shopping to the best in food and farming. For more than 200 years, this has been a time and place to meet old friends, conduct business and enjoy Cornwall in all its glory - and thousands do. This is a top agricultural show with hundreds of competitive classes, from cattle and sheep to dogs and birds. Main ring entertainment is mounted on a grand scale and the traditional steam fair is a colourful extravaganza. It's good for agriculture, good for tourism, good for the economy, the environment and good for the soul! www.royalcornwallshow.org

2. BIZET’S CARMEN

Travelling opera company Regents Opera presents Bizet’s opera Carmen, with four cast members (including mezzo soprano Lilly Papaioannou) and a piano, fully staged with lighting and costumes. The show is directed by Paul Higgins of Glyndebourne Festival Opera and the Royal Opera House. Thursday, June 23: Trevince Estate, near Redruth; Friday, June 24: Launceston Town Hall; Saturday June 25: St Endellion Church.

3. SOLO SINGERS

St Buryan singer Sarah McQuaid embarks upon a six-week tour including three dates in Cornwall: Penlee Park openair theatre in Penzance (June 17), into Bodmin at The Old Library (June 18) and Redruth Drapery (June 19). Tony Christie checks into the Acorn, Penzance on June 20; and St Ives singer/songwriter Bailey Tomkinson plays a fusion of surf rock, Americana and pop at Launceston Castle on Saturday, July 30.

4. RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY

There are two opportunities to raise money for worthy charities on Saturday, June 18. Children’s Hospice South West’s Rainbow Run returns to Newquay; 1,500 people took part in 2019 and raised £80,000 for the charity which runs Little Harbour children’s hospice in St Austell. www.chsw.org. uk/rainbow And Truro Branch hosts the Samaritans National Walk on Saturday, June 18. There are three walks – 7.5, 13 and 25 miles – all starting and ending at Truro College, with a party in the evening. Entry £30pp. For further information call 07817 352331 or email samaritansnationalwalk2022@gmail.com

5. FESTIVAL FEVER

Take your pick of the big events. There are big names aplenty, with Tom Jones headlining at Tunes in the Park in the stately grounds of Port Eliot (June 22), while Shaggy and Paul Weller lead the pack at Tunes in the Dunes in Perranporth (June 24 to 26). Foodies will not want to miss Rock Oyster Festival (July 29 to 31), with Jack Stein and dad Rick on the chef line-up, and Laura Mvula and the Happy Mondays on stage. In Bude, Leopalloza runs from July 22 to 24 with headliners including the Sleaford Mods and Lianne La Havas.

6. THE DOGGY SUMMER GARDEN PAW-TY

Dogs love a good pawty as much as anyone, and that’s what you’ll get at Scorrier House near Redruth on July 2. There’ll be a range of fun activities – including a doggy tea party (book ahead online), dog show, woodland walks, canine olympics and agility tests – as well as dog products and services, and opportunities to learn more about your best four-legged friend’s health and wellness. www.scorrierhouse.co.uk

7. GET UP CLOSE WITH NATURE

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people to nature on their doorstep. The big event is the Big Wild Weekend on June 18 and 19, including an open garden family day at Lethytep in South-East Cornwall on June 19. Sign up for a free pack at www. cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk . Alternatively, visit a farm and find out about the story behind our food and how farming affects our everyday lives. Meet livestock, enjoy nature walks and more. Cottage Farm in Jacobstow opens on June 12; Tregullas Farm on The Lizard (meet infamous pet goat Curry!) on June 19; and Cornhill Farm, Camborne on June 26. farmsunday.org

8. GOONHILLY 60

Goonhilly Earth Station’s major satellites are named after Cornish legends - Guinevere, Isolde, Merlin and of course Arthur, responsible for transmitting TV pictures of the Apollo 11 moon landings to 600 million viewers globally. Goonhilly 60, on July 23, is a family-friendly event celebrating six decades of space exploration with an interstellar programme of curated music, talks and educational workshops, all set against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Lizard Peninsula. The line-up includes: The Pink Floyd Experience, playing Dark Side of The Moon; Kaleidoscope Orchestra – a Daft Punk interpretation; Outer Space party with Jelly Jazz & The Mongolian Disco Show; and DJs, workshops, talks, films and more. It’s a rare opportunity to visit the site which is usually closed to the public. Tickets from £28; camping options available. Visit Goonhilly.live and follow @apollocontrol on Facebook and Instagram.

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9. TRURO BANDSTAND CONCERTS

Bandstand concerts have returned to Truro’s Victoria Gardens following two years of cancellations due to the pandemic. Concerts will take place every Sunday until September 11, from 2.30 to 4pm. They are free to attend and no prior booking is required. This year’s performers include City of Truro Wind Orchestra, Camborne Youth Band, Lanner & District Silver Band and City of Truro Male Choir. Pollen in the Park will also serve refreshments from 10am to 4pm. Please be aware that both gardens and café may close in instances of bad weather. For updates, contact the Visitor Information Centre on 01872 274555 or visit www.visittruro.org.uk

10. FOR LITERATURE LOVERS

Penzance Literary Festival (www.pzlitfest. co.uk) runs from July 6 to 9, a vibrant mix of author talks, performance poetry, interviews, signings, workshops, tours and outreach events. Look out for festival patron Patrick Gale discussing Mother’s Boy, his novel about Launceston poet Charles Causley’s early years; memoirist Cathy Rentzenbrink (pictured); romantic fiction queen Liz Fenwick; and talks covering everything from science fiction, crime and travel writing, to how to submit work to agents and publishers. Elsewhere, the authors of Wild Swimming Walks are on tour with North Cornwall Book Festival. Hear them reminisce about their adventures: Thursday, July 21, St Endellion Hall; Friday, July 22: Edge Of The World Bookshop, Penzance; Saturday, July 23: The Poly, Falmouth. Tickets: www.ncornbookfest.org/whats-on/

11. A TRADITIONAL CORNISH FEAST

There are many traditional celebrations in Cornwall this month. Mevagissey Feast Week (June 26 to July 2) returns following two years off. It has taken place in June since 1754, when its parades gave thanks to St Peter, patron saint of fishermen for a plentiful harvest. These days, you’re as likely to find live music, a fish auction, children's activities, brass bands and a grand finale firework display. In Penzance, Golowan venerates St John, and this year goes “Back to the Future”, reminiscing over 31 years of community celebrations and looking forward to joys to come! The fun begins on June 17, ending with Mazey Day and Quay Fair Day on the weekend of June 25 and 26.

12. CORNWALL STREET FOOD FESTIVAL

The first Cornwall Street Food Festival takes place Newquay’s Barrowfields over the Platinum Jubilee weekend (June 2 to 5), hosting over 25 of the tastiest traders in global cuisine - your taste buds won't be disappointed! From Afghanistan to Mexico, halloumi fries to gourmet burgers via crepes and waffles, the festival has everyone covered. Just grab a FREE ticket and arrive hungry! Check the social media page @cornwallstreetfoodfestival for updates and competitions to win delicious treats. The event will be cashless, family- and dog-friendly; entry is free but ticketed, with attendees scanning a barcode at the entrance. Book now at streetfoodwarehouse.co.uk/cornwall/