Welcome to the very first Cornwall Is Home — the email made for people who actually live here. Every fortnight we'll round up the local news worth knowing, the events worth leaving the house for, and the people and places that make this the best corner of the country.
No tourist gloss, no filler — just Cornwall, straight to your inbox.
This edition, our spotlight lands on Falmouth & Penryn. Ready? Let's go.
Cornwall's Summer Is in Full Swing
If there's one thing this fortnight proves, it's that there's nowhere better to be than Cornwall in high summer. From a food festival right on Newquay's seafront to clifftop theatre at the Minack and folk music drifting across Falmouth, the whole county is alive with things to do.
We've rounded up the very best of them just below — but the short version is this: whatever corner of Cornwall you call home, there's something on your doorstep worth stepping out for this fortnight. Make the most of it.
The county is buzzing this month. Here's a spread of the best, from clifftop theatre to a food festival on the beach:
🍴 Newquay Food Festival 📍 Killacourt, Newquay, TR7 1DT · 📅 9–12 July · 💷 Free entry Four days of gourmet street food, fresh seafood, live fire-cooking demos and music with views over Towan Beach. Family-friendly and a real highlight.
🛍️ BIG Truro Market 📍 Truro city centre · 📅 Saturday 11 July A bustling day of art, food & drink, outdoor stalls and shopping in the heart of the city.
📚 Penzance Literary Festival 📍 Penzance town centre · 📅 Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 July Live talks from acclaimed authors, workshops, and the chance to meet local writers.
🎻 Falmouth Folk Festival 📍 Princess Pavilion, Falmouth · 📅 Saturday 18 July, midday–8pm Trad tunes, original songs and ballads across two outdoor stages.
Full booking details for all events are on Cornwall 365 (cornwall365.com/events).
A Beloved Open-Door Church Forced to Lock Its Doors
There's sad news from Mevagissey this fortnight. St Peter's Church — long known for its open-door policy, welcoming anyone in to sit, reflect or simply enjoy the beautiful old interior — has been forced to lock up after an act of vandalism between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
A local councillor called the attack "appalling," saying he hopes those responsible are "brought to justice." The church has since reassured the community that the incident did not involve any young people or anyone local, and thanked residents for the concern and support that poured in.
Sadly, it's part of a wider pattern: nearly 4,000 offences were recorded at churches and places of worship across the UK last year. For a small Cornish community that took pride in keeping its church open to all, it's a real loss — and here's hoping St Peter's can welcome people back through its doors before long.
"Cancer will be a chapter in my story, not the end of it"
This fortnight we're sharing the story of Lorraine Sharp, a businesswoman from Pentewan, near St Austell — and her quietly powerful message for all of us.
Lorraine, 51, was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in January, but only after months of seeking help for ongoing digestive symptoms that were repeatedly put down to a previous surgery. She was eventually diagnosed only when she was admitted as an emergency with a bowel obstruction — and told she'd been just days from it becoming fatal. Major surgery followed, and she's now going through chemotherapy while fighting to keep her business, All About You Beauty Salon and Training Academy in St Austell, going — with her eldest daughter holding the fort.
She doesn't want sympathy. She wants awareness. "I hope that by sharing my story, it may encourage others to seek further help if they feel something isn't right," she says. Her message is simple: bowel cancer can affect anyone, and symptoms shouldn't be dismissed. Be persistent.
Lorraine has set up a GoFundMe to help support her family and her business through treatment. If you'd like to help — or simply send her your strength — we'll link it below.
(A gentle reminder from us: if something doesn't feel right, keep pushing for answers. You know your own body.)
That's your lot for Edition One. 💛
If you've read this far — thank you. We're just getting started, and we'd love you along for the ride. Every fortnight, straight to your inbox, always free to read.
Got a story, an event, or a local gem we should know about? Just hit reply — we read every email.
Cornwall is home. Let's keep each other in the loop.
— The Cornwall Is Home Team
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