Falmouth

It's been a long time since I've been to Falmouth. I always remembered it as the beach town, as I spent a lot of my younger childhood on Gyllyngvase beach. The last few times I was there, however, it felt as though the town was dying off. There was no life, most of the shops were closing down, it felt empty, it was sad. I've since heard that the rise in popularity of Falmouth University, which was granted full university status last year, has breathed new life into it.

My mother was there recently, and said it's becoming lively again. It certainly seems so, from what I have seen on the town's websites & Facebook pages. There seem to be events all the time now! The Falmouth spring festival, a sea shanty festival, tall ships festival, the list goes on! This is not including all the student events! I hear there are a lot of new, unique little shops & cafes opened up too. One of the first on my list will be Picnic Cornwall, who specialise in local Cornish produce. Mum said that although it is small, it is full of character & that the people are very welcoming.

Some of the things I'm looking forward to (apart from university) are:

Falmouth Week, which usually includes the Red Arrows, who I absolutely love.

And sometimes includes time travellers!

Tall Ships festival

The Maritime Museum (where my uncle works)

Visiting the beaches of my childhood, Gyllyngvase beach & Castle beach

And I simply must visit Glendurgan Gardens with their maze. I've had a thing for mazes ever since I saw the film Labyrinth as a child.

There are many other things I want to do & places to see, but far too many to list here! I'm glad that the town has been given a new lease of life. I just hope I can summon the strength for it!

All photos are from the official Falmouth website & the Maritime Museum website.

Toneel Drama Group

I can't do this blog without mentioning Toneel drama group of Apokoronas. Despite being interested in theatre since I was a very young child, being involved in a drama group when I was a teenager, & studying performing arts at college, Toneel has given me the confidence to go for it, I learnt skills I didn't have before, and I believe I have improved with each play. I have been a member for the past three years, in which time I have been in 6 productions. The first one was Lucy in Alan Ayckbourn's Mother Figure:

followed by Kathy in Mike Harding's Comfort & Joy:

Pauline in Sandcastles by Bob Larbey:

Suzannah in Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce:

Then the one-off Kefalas charity event where I played two completely different characters in two separate plays. First was Polly in Ayckbourn's Between Mouthfuls:

followed by stroppy teenager Melody in Mystery Tour by Colin Calvert:

And finally, channeling  Alison Steadman for my largest role to date, Beverly in this winter's production of Abigail's Party by Mike Leigh:

Please excuse the fact that I was wearing boots in the last photo, that was our first dress rehearsal & the shoes hadn't arrived.

Toneel usually do two plays per year, one in the summer & one in the winter. Last year there was also a one-off in Kefalas. They make regular donations to local charities with the ticket proceeds. From Abigail's Party, for instance, we were able to give E500 to Χειρα Βοηθειας/Helping Hands, who distribute food & essential things to those in need in the area.  

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Toneel, & will miss being a part of the team. They are a great bunch of people, & do a very professional production. We usually have a lot of fun, although of course there are hard times too! I have made some very good friends in the group. They needn't think they've seen the last of me though, I will be popping back to Crete as often as I can manage it!

Starting up!

Ok, here goes! I'm not much of a writer, as you'll soon see, but I thought I'd give this a go. In September I will be starting a Theatre degree at university. I thought I'd start this now, to include the run-up & preparation involved.  I currently am in Greece:

Church of St Nicholas, Georgioupoli

but will soon be returning to my native Cornwall in order to sort the necessary paperwork & arrange accommodation. and probably many more things I need to do that will pop up all the time!

I was originally offered a place starting September 2013, but due to health, accommodation, & financial reasons I had to defer to this year. I am a mature student (I'll be 37 by the time I start - eek!) so it is going to be strange. I have already joined the university's Facebook group for mature students, so it won't feel as though I'm plunging immediately into the deep end. I have also joined the Quidditch society! In addition to muggle quidditch, they do things such as modified versions of Hogwarts lessons (potions class is making cocktails, things like that), film nights, and a Yule Ball. I've already thought of a class I can give when I'm there! Oh God, I'm a geek! Now, I wonder if anyone will start a Doctor Who society before I arrive!

Anyway, I'd better get back to sorting my stuff. It's not easy to pack for 3-4 years! And then I have to sort out the things I'm leaving behind, & make sure they're stored. I will of course be coming back here for as many of the holidays that I can afford. And for half of the second year we are expected to study abroad. Hmmm, now where is there that I know a theatre group & can speak the language...