The first ever CAST-Off was developed in 2020 in response to the pandemic, taking CAST’s summer activities for children and families off-site and out of doors. The programme provided a self-guided trail for families, offering creative things to discover and do along the Cober Valley in Helston – from Lowertown, through the Moors beside the river, to the boating lake, Penrose and Loe Bar.
CAST’s learning specialist Lucy Grant designed a special activity map, and families were encouraged to pick up a free map, sketchbook and pencil from the CAST building and set off to find out more about the history, geography and nature of this special place. The map suggested creative things to do and discover – many of which could be tried out in woodlands, meadows or gardens anywhere in the country.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays between 4 and 29 August, artists were stationed at key locations along the trail to inspire invention and making. Activities included creating inks and dyes from natural pigments, making clay bricks, botanical drawing, making paper boats to race on the river Cober, building bark boats to sail on the Loe, making Hal-an-Tow sticks, making charcoal, and simply listening quietly to the sounds all around. An estimated 2,000 people took part across the eight activity sessions and the trail.
Click here to see the CAST-Off Map 2020.
CAST-Off 2020 was presented with the generous support of The Garcia Family Foundation, with assistance from Arts Council England, Cornwall Heritage Trust, FEAST and Little Parc Owles Trust.