Over October half term, Hall for Cornwall teamed up with local libraries including Launceston, Bude, Bodmin, Callington and Tintagel (Mobile Library) to host a series of pirate-themed workshops for young people.

Each session used Hall for Cornwall’s upcoming Christmas show, Treasure Island, as a kick-off point for swashbuckling stories, dances, and games for children of all ages.

Joined by Cornwall’s very own Kernow King Edward Rowe, who will shortly be stepping into the shoes of Long John Silver in the Cornwall Playhouse production Treasure Island, the workshops were attended by more than 500 children, with many dressing up as pirates, princesses, mermaids, and more.

There were funny dances, quirky costumes, and on the final day in Bude, the crew arrived with a fearsome real-life hawk on their shoulder. Not quite a parrot, but close enough.

Armed with storybooks, shanties and shiver me timbers, Hall for Cornwall’s Get Creative outreach team travelled to four libraries a day over the half term break. On the final day, they were joined by local actor and comedian Edward Rowe, surprising all of the children and their families too. Participants were lucky enough to have a private storytelling session by Edward, before having the opportunity to take photographs with the Cornish star.

Edward said: “It was such a treat reading pirate stories to the children and their parents in Falmouth and Helston. I cannot wait to get started as Long John Silver in Treasure Island.”