Store plays its part in success of first Big Village Festival

The first ever Big Village Festival in Perranwell was hailed as a huge success and the Community Store was delighted to play a key part as a sponsor.

The festival raised more than £2,000 for the ‘Big Village’ project, a fundraising campaign to redevelop the Perran-ar-worthal Village Memorial Hall.

The event on June 19 and 20 at the Royal Oak pub saw an array of live

music acts, along with gin and fizz bar, craft beer bars, and food from the Royal Oak, as well as fundraising activities including a tombola, glitter face painting and a coffee and cake stall run by store volunteers.

It was all the brainchild of David Podd, who is also a co-founder and committee member of the community store. He said: "The success of Big Village Festival weekend  demonstrates what is possible when community unites. The whole event was designed to look like a mini boutique festival with the aim of making residents feel like something BIG was happening in the village. Initial plans to potentially grow the festival for 2027 are already in conception."

The festival was made possible thanks to generous support from the Perranwell Community Stores, estate agent Clive Pearce and the Royal Oak itself. Local volunteers from the village shop, village hall and Perran-ar-Worthal Parish Council also gave up their time to help.

John Frankland, chair of trustees for the village hall, said: "The Big Village Festival really did put the ‘big’ in Big Village. We are hugely grateful to everyone who came together to make it such a huge success, and showed just what a community can create when it comes together. The atmosphere throughout the festival was fantastic, with people of all ages enjoying the entertainment and supporting a great cause. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who volunteered, performed, sponsored, donated or simply came along to enjoy the weekend.

"Every contribution mattered, and together we've not only raised vital funds for the Village Hall redevelopment but demonstrated just how much community spirit exists in Perranwell."

Featured acts included Andy 'The Crooner' Marshall, Still Dizzy, Phoenix 5 and the parish's own choir.

Work is underway to finalise designs for a new village hall, which currently hosts an array of groups such as the U3A and Women’s Institute, the Carnon Downs Drama Group, and health and wellness groups, as well as regular community events. It is also home to home care specialists Loyal Bee Care.

The current building, dating from 1971, has exceeded its expected life-span, with the best solution being to rebuild the facility. The proposed new hall, designed after extensive consultation, will include a separate sports hall and arts hall. Built over

three floors, the lower ground floor would be shared between Age UK Cornwall, running a day centre for the elderly called the Ruth Collins Day Centre, and the football club. It

also include an office area for the Loyal Bee Care Company.

You can find more information on the Big Village project here and keep tabs on plans for the next Big Village Festival on Facebook here. For more information on the redevelopment, visit the village hall website.

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