NOTES – Date of posting, October 20th, for a Half Term of Climate Hope
- As you see in the photo, learning in the great outdoors with fire and water requires a good window of weather! This applies to most Learning Tracks sessions – sometimes we need to postpone so please, when you send your initial enquiry email, provide the best phone number to assist in agreeing any necessary changes to final arrangements of date and time. email enquiry@themeadowbarns.co.uk and be sure to show details in the Subject e.g. BOOK A TREASURE HUNT, TRACK 2 at ‘X VENUE’
- The majority of sessions require payment in advance for a Family or Group Learning Pack (FLP or GLP) to collect from the reception desk at a chosen venue. This is for participating young people to illustrate and fill with information as a record of their activities. Extra elements particular to the venue are loaned to go with the FL Packs; please make a donation and support the venue shop or cafe. Please note, during development of new ventures or venues with contents still being tested and improved, Learning Packs may be offered free of charge.
- During the Autumn/ Winter period this year, there is a publication schedule for Home Educating Groups and Schools to receive Summary PDFs of the Learning Tracks, setting out the fundamentals and linking content with the National Curriculum. The sequence of publication dates will be in response to demand from groups as they book.
Please refer to the drop down menu, to see all the options a) for Ages 9 and younger, b) for older persons acting as Leading Lights in their Community, (can be any age from age 10 to 100!) and c) the Other Category, offering special arrangements for schools or other types of group.
October and November Dates, for Teens and Adults = 2 film screening opportunities with deep debate of red hot issues
First is on Friday 23rd October from 17.30 to 20.00 hours. It is a Leeds University event @ Kresen Kernow TR15 1AS where Meadow Barns team provides the second half of the evening.
Caroline, Graham and Simon present a set of Films made across 3 Communities of Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage site, titled ‘The 2026 Phoenix Moment for Mining – stories of new Tin, Tungsten and Lithium.’ Book your Free place using the following link please https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grounded-engagement-film-screening-tickets-2002418401342?aff=oddtdtcreator
Second is on Saturday November 14th from 13.00 to 16.30 hours, by kind invitation of the management @ Ashtorre Rock Centre PL12 4 GT. This is a more relaxed Open Day schedule, to enable expansion of the mining theme into a more general debate on ‘ground-breaking’ projects, including the 4 options of new housing developments in the area. Places are limited so pre-booking is advised, using the Enquiry Email. Please bring cash of e.g. £10 to Donate.
The start is an informal gathering upstairs in the Centre over lunch, from 13.00. To join this part we ask that you bring your own food, and cash for drinks. Next comes a walk and talk, visiting the 7 benches outside and pondering 7 challenges. The final section, viewing films will run from 15.00 for an hour.
October and November Learning Tracks Adventures, indoors and out, for Families with children age 9 years and younger
First we have 2 dates in the PL24 and PL30 areas, as part of a happy collaboration with Friends of Luxulyan Valley. Saturday 24th October is a 30th Anniversary Open Day for the Friends, at Luxulyan Village Hall, PL30 5QA with the title ‘A Day for Nature, Heritage, People and Planet‘. Entry is Free and Meadow Barns will display information about Learning Tracks 3 (Tin for the Future, shown below) and 4, which is available to use on a walk through the valley when pre-booked by email and the ‘Good as Gold’ Rucksack of materials is collected from Luxulyan Village Shop.
Second is a Track 3 Tin for the Future day, at the Meadow Barns on Wednesday 28th October. We start in the morning and learn Tin processes of Streaming, Stamping, Smelting and then some creative Felting too, ending with lunch by the fire. There can be an added bonus/ free option afterwards if you borrow a map and walk to an iron and a tin shaft in the Penpell Woods during the afternoon. The morning is a competitive team event, so families need to bring together a small group of up to 5 people and register to compete. Email the Enquiry Address to reserve a place and pay £25 by BACS in advance, so we can order and have the right food choices for each person (tell us your allergies!), and be ready to cook in the fire. Remember to mention if you are members of the Friends and ask for the £10 off.
Third we have a date for adults and teams of Home Educated children on Monday 2nd of November in the Gunnislake area when we will run a Track 2 Treasure Hunt at the Tamar Valley Centre PL18 9FE. If needed weather-wise we hold Friday 6th in reserve as an alternative date. Meet at 10.30 and finish by 12.30 or continue discussions informally, whilst eating your own packed lunch. BTW we love this venue, as it has a great collection of rocks, is perfect for train travel on the Tamar Valley line and the welcome from staff is always warm. Thank you!
To join in this event a Lead Adult needs to form a small group of up to 5 people to compete as a team. Email the Enquiry Address and select either the Free taster (observing) or pay £10 by BACS or cash on the day, to take part and receive a Track 2 pack
The 4th event to include younger children, especially perfect for Year 2 and 3 but enjoyable for all, is in the morning at Ashtorre Rock on Saturday 14th November – see the flyer above for timings and prices. Form a team of up to 5 (not competitive, just taking turns) and email the Enquiry Address.. Pay £10 by BACS or in cash on the day for the Track 1a pack and help us create an amazing floor picture of fossil fuels and global warming like this! Then perform the story in a rhythmic kind of rap.
Travel to The Meadow Barns
Learning Tracks activities 1a, 2 and 3 (all suitable for groups that include age 9 years and younger) are available at the Meadow Barns Centre when the weather is suitable! If willing to try the adventure, like Blyton’s Famous Five, take a train to Lostwithiel and then catch the 28 bus. Fuller information will be sent by email, to ensure sessions fit between bus and train times and there is a back-up plan in case of cancellations.
