On Saturday 26 October, a brand-new Tamar Valley River Festival will take place in Calstock, thanks to the Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The free family event will celebrate the River Tamar through art, crafts, music, food and drink. A host of interactive activities and workshops will be on offer, including folk music, gig boat racing, multi-media exhibitions, local produce cooking, singing workshops, nature walks, art activities as well as a River of Hope exhibition and parade by local school children.
Local schools, Calstock Parish Council, Tamar Valley National Landscape, Tamar Grow Local, the National Trust and a number of community groups are involved. More details, a full programme and logistics will be published closer to the time on the Tamara Scheme’s website www.tamaralandscapepartnership.org.uk/tamar-valley-river-festival
Bryony James, Tamara Community and Volunteering Officer says:
“We have worked with the local community to create this brand-new festival. The River Tamar is such an incredibly important and beautiful river and we wanted to develop something to celebrate and recognise this. It links the landscape together, borders two counties – Devon and Cornwall – and has shaped livelihoods and activities in the Tamar Valley for thousands of years.”
The Tamara Scheme is also launching a competition to design the logo for the River Festival. The winning entry will receive £100 and have their artwork shared on banners, in the media and online. To enter the competition visit: www.tamaralandscapepartnership.org.uk/opportunities
Bryony continues:
“The design should be themed around the River Tamar and could depict wildlife, the legend of Tamara, life along the river or anything else that you can think of. As the design will feature throughout the river festival it should be eye catching but use relatively few colours. We’re excited to see the creative designs that are submitted!”
The Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme aims to create a brighter future for the Tamar Valley and its communities by working with farmers, landowners and communities to manage and enhance landscapes that are rich in wildlife, as well as cultural and historic heritage; to help improve access to special places and to promote ways for people to enjoy the landscape whilst improving their health and wellbeing. With match-funding commitments from other partners, the total to be invested across the Tamar Valley landscape until 2025 will be £3.2 million.
