The Meadow Barns
The barns and sheds of this unique centre sit at the heart of a small hamlet, called Penpell. The name dates back to 1196 and is Cornish for ‘Distant Height’ … a quick glance at the slider photos will instantly show what an apt title this is, given those coastal views that take your breath away.
2026 – A Milestone Year
It’s hard to believe, but almost 10 years have flown by here at the Barns, during which time we have been dedicated to growing and refining ideas and materials for explaining Climate Hope and seeking out solutions. Finally, this year our results are coming together as a scheme to support families and small groups in demanding yet always playful STEM outdoor learning.
What we have been testing through this summer is the first part of our Learning Tracks programme. As you can see it is a series of activities with a focus on discovering how climate change was caused, back through many centuries, followed by answering the question “what can humans do to live free of fossil fuels?”
Mid Cornwall is our base, but this summer for the first time we have had the good fortune of working with partners in a different area as well – the Tamar Valley. Find out where we operated and what we did, on our new website and YouTube channel: – https://learning-tracks.org/ and https://www.youtube.com/@LearningTracksYouTube/playlists
What do people do at this Centre for Climate Hope?
Because Penpell was first a centre for tin streaming, then iron excavation and later housed workers for one of the most productive copper mines in the world, heritage of Cornish mining and related industries underpins the whole programme. We study old, familiar metals and the new Critical Minerals, which are increasingly needed for connectivity between green energy and batteries, and digital devices.
This often will involve a heavy dose of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths), but always lightened up by Creative Arts, Music and Stories. The combination is rich and varied, adaptable to suit most ages, styles and abilities. Having also developed strong industry partnerships enables the feasibility of new solutions for people and the planet to be thoroughly vetted and adds an extra dimension.
The gardens around Meadow Barns provide a haven from the hurly burly of modern life and from the internet – it is the space one needs for pondering and proposing new ways forward. You may find yourself looking at the sea, or at the sky full of swallows swooping and chittering, or in winter it will be looking into the glowing logs in one of the outdoor fire circles around the site, or in the Secret Forest a short walk away.
Further afield – lobbying, online forums and mini-conferences
A very important element of the work we do is lobbying for change, at all levels of government and internationally as well. In this we collaborate with Environmental groups, universities, the Learning Cities movement within UNESCO and with industry partners. Here are 2 examples:-
On January 21st Caroline was up at Westminster, meeting a minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This has come to fruition after years of patient partner-working with the bio-fuels provider, Mitchell and Webber. It sums up what Meadow Barns offers = a style of learning closely linked with today’s innovative industries for renewables, storage and metals.
More recently we have begun helping with a pro-active movement in support of ‘micro-hydro’ power, that renews old water and/or tidal mills. We take part in the British Hydro Association Quarterly Forum meetings and regularly collaborate with Free Flow 69, who design and manufacture replacement water wheels and new Archimedes Screw turbines. More on this will be posted as plans unfold.
The Meadow Barns in Future, for Development and Training
From September 2026 onwards we will continue to develop and improve learning activities, always working initially with local families and friends. These sessions may be either entirely free or for a low charge. Send an email to Caroline – cjs@themeadowbarns.co.uk – if you would like to take part.
The other offer we make is to train a group of suitable adults, so they can return to their place of work and deliver one or more sessions, adapted to suit their own locality and the interests or needs of their group. The charge for a half day is £28 per person, with a minimum of 3 in the group.
Small group activities and training in other locations, such as the water play at Luxulyan Church, followed by a Hydro walk, are best booked within Learning Tracks. Track 1a may be entirely free at a local library, other sessions require a deposit and hire payment for materials. The water wheel sessions may be booked by contacting the Village Shop at Luxulyan on 01208 543293.
And a last word! When the right moment comes, either Autumn 2026 or into 2027, we will again plan and deliver a Celebration event, very similar to previous Ceremonies of Climate Hope of previous years. This was the most recent …
Ceremony of Climate Hope for Chinese NY, February Half Term, 2024
2 years ago we were able to collaborate to deliver a slightly different model of inter-generational study of climate issues, in a broader more international context, linking with another religion and culture. As with Lanlivery and Lostwithiel Ceremonies in 2023 and Bodmin 2025, we only could deliver such a big day by linking up with the enthusiasm and energy of many groups of all different ages and backgrounds. So, we were able to produce a really heart-warming Ceremony 4 Climate Hope at the centre of the Truro community, thanks to numerous volunteers and talented staff, including Jason Thomas and his amazing youth dance company, funding from the councillor, Rob Nolan, and support of Truro BID team & Salt Projects at the Pydar PopUp building.
If you are inspired by what you have seen here, please take this link to our YouTube channel for further films. As you see, we have a number of playlists, dating all the way back to the Covid Tapestry of Heroes in 2020 to 21.
