TRACK 1A FOSSIL FUELS
is suitable from about age 4 upwards and brings to life the history of Fossil Fuels and Greenhouse Gases, by gathering shells and dead plant materials to form into a giant floor picture.
Created at the request of St Budeaux library in Plymouth and first tested by their community engagement staff, the mode of delivery is through child-friendly rap performance, with small percussion instruments, as this met requirements for the summer Reading Challenge of libraries in England. Research shows that learning in this mode, with rhyming words, is highly effective as a way to develop literacy skills and build memory pathways in the brains of young people. And of course it is also great fun!
Click here to pay £15 for a group of 5 to experience the Track 1a Learning Package, and make arrangements to use it at The Meadow Barns. Please also bring cash (notes and coins) with you, as they form part of the learning too.
TRACK 2 TREASURE HUNT
Training to identify different rocks, ores and metals may sound highly technical. But it becomes an easy and fascinating task when linked with colours. The activity has firstly a concentration on the dark greys, of slates and certain metals like Tin and Tungsten. Then comes a paler and often creamier grey, of granites followed by the Reds and Rusts (Copper and Iron) and the Royals (Purples, Pinks, Gold etc). To conclude there is mention of all those Metals due to be mined in the near future – a Phoenix Moment for Cornwall and West Devon.
NB A group of 5 may get even more enjoyment if they invite a second team of friends or family to join them as it allows for a fun competition to be run. Which team will find the treasure first?
If needed, please access the summary and references to National Curriculum in this PDF
Click here to pay £15 for a Track 2 Learning Package for 5 people, and make arrangements to use it at either The Meadow Barns or the Tamar Valley Centre at Gunnislake. Please also bring cash (notes and coins) with you, as they form part of the learning too.
TRACK 3 STREAM & STAMP, SMELT & FELT
Again this Track is much more rewarding with a competitive element. It is designed for 3 Teams at a time, e.g. there are 3 sites for streaming tin in the Meadow and another real stream a short walk down the road. There are also 3 fires on site, and a further fire pit in the Secret Forest location,
Recent evening visits by a local Cub Scout group proved this Track to be very engaging and popular!
This session follows on logically after the Track 2 Treasure Hunt, as it puts across the complex processes used to extract metals from rocks and process them ready for manufacturing. As it encompasses 2 servings of food (Savoury and Sweet), which are cooked in metal cans or foil bundles in a fire, for knowledge of smelting, the price is more e.g. £25 for a team of 5.
Click here to order your pack and make arrangements for a visit.
ONE MORE OPTION, not made specifically for young ones but where they can tag along and enjoy, is TRACK 4 WALK at LUXULYAN
Track 4 investigates Nature’s Power in a stunningly beautiful woodland context. The water wheels and channels are some of the most ambitious hydro installations anywhere in the world, recognized as such by UNESCO. To experience this, click here to pay £15 for the Learning Pack. On receipt of your order you will be connected and able to book a date and time with the Village Shop at Luxulyan. It’s a great place to visit by train, walk through to the shop, with Kay at the helm and an ever-helpful welcome team. Mention to them, if you do have very small children, as a few extra or alternative options can be provided for them to play with water and wheels, plus making models.
Please also bring cash (notes and coins) with you as a donation for the venue.
How to Find The Meadow Barns by car
The entrance is via a narrow lane, off the steep Penpillick Hill A390 main road, which is tricky to see.
Please call in advance, 07967 653346 to be talked through. A map plus full instructions will be emailed.
Postal Address
The Meadow Barns
Penpell
Par PL24 2SA
Cornwall
Directions from the South & West
Drive 2 miles from St Blazey towards Lostwithiel on the main road, A390. You will go over a level crossing and drive about 1 mile on the level (called TYWARDREATH HIGHWAY).
Start to ascend the hill and immediately pass a left turn to PONTSMILL. Keep going up. It’s about 3/4 mile or so til the LEFT TURN that you need to take.
Look for 4 cottages beside the road – the turning drops away in front of the first house. There is no sign, other than saying WEAK BRIDGE. Turn into the country lane, then immediately go down into a dip (take care it is narrow here), then up and reach a slightly wider level area. Look out for a turning to the right and a large wooden sign. Meadow Barns is up the farm track and left.
Directions from the North
This route is different from Google Maps, in order to avoid a challenging right turn across 2 lanes of fast traffic.
Take the main A390 road from Lostwithiel towards St Blazey. After 3 miles, arrive at the top of Penpillick Hill – on a fine day you should see a clear view of St Austell Bay.
Start to descend the hill and slow down, looking ahead for a left turn to Treesmill and Tywardreath. Take the left turn and drive past one small lane on the right at approx 150m. Go a further 50m and take the 2nd turn right, all the way to the bottom of the hill. Look carefully then enter a waiting box to cross lanes then go back up the hill. Keep in the left lane and take the next left turn, before a group of 4 cottages. There is no sign, other than saying WEAK BRIDGE. Turn into the country lane, then immediately go down into a dip (take care it is narrow here), then up and reach a slightly wider level area. Look out for a turning to the right and a large wooden sign. Meadow Barns is up the farm track and left.