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At the time of writing, it looks pretty certain that the Tolmen Centre won’t be open for events for the next few months at least. Entertainment venues look like being one of the last categories to be re-opened, and our relatively top-heavy (age wise) audience and management team will make it a particular challenge for us.

We are very sorry not to be bringing you three top acts that were planned for the summer. Two dynamic trios from Scotland – first Talisk, then supergroup Lau – were due to be followed by female American duo Madison Violet. 

We’ve tentatively accepted provisional rebookings for next year, but don’t forget that you can always find just about any artist on Youtube, Spotify or their own websites, to get a taste of what you’re missing!

Spare a thought for the thousands of musicians and other members of the performing arts whose livelihoods are being devastated by the Covid-19 epidemic. Many of them have been posting recordings and live performances on the internet, some of them asking for donations for charity or towards their own living expenses, sometimes both.

Locally some of us have enjoyed Martha Tilston’s two live gigs from her front room, just a mile or so from the centre of our village. Martha’s music and her infectiously warm personality offer hope and joy in gloomy times, and if you missed her you should be able to catch up at facebook.com/marthatilston

Another online concert (thanks for the tip, Sally H.!) can be found at folkonfoot.com/festival. This is no less than 7 hours of folk music from a wide range of performers, each performing in their front rooms. Among them are several who have performed at the Tolmen in the past, including John Boden, Martin Simpson, Bella Hardy, Peggy Seeger and Steve Knightley. Another artist featured is Kris Drever, one third of Lau. The online festival is raising funds for the Help Musicians charity, which is providing emergency grants to working musicians during the epidemic.

Keep listening to music, keep safe, and keep an eye out for better news in future.

Dougal Jeffries

Tolmen Movies is moving downstairs for the winter season. With more comfy chairs and sofas, you can enjoy snacks and hot soup while you watch a great film in comfort. The cafe will still be open for full meals before the film.

Some kind soul has nominated us for the West Briton (WOCA) Awards as Best Theatre Venue in Cornwall. Obviously we are delighted and proud, though as the result will be determined mostly by ‘social media’ ie Facebook and Twitter which we don’t really understand or use, we haven’t a chance of winning – especially against The Hall For Cornwall and The Minack who are in a different league from us at The Tolmen Centre. We are community based, in a small village, run by volunteers – a minnow among venues. An honourable last place beckons!

The Tolmen Centre is now an established Arts and Performance centre with a county-wide reputation. We have a regular programme of theatre, music, films and general entertainment. However, the Tolmen Centre is also available for all sorts of other things. Here are a few examples:

The downstairs area can be hired at very reasonable cost for events, parties, or meetings. The area can be divided into two or left as one big space, and is well equipped with tables, chairs and comfortable sofas, as well as having a modern kitchen with enough catering facilities for up to 100 people. At the back is a newly landscaped garden and patio area which allows your event to open out into the fresh air and a pleasant lawned area. There is disabled access to all areas. We also have a high quality film and projection system with a big screen and surround-sound capability. This can be used to show films or dvds, or to do business style presentations. If the event is a private function (ie, not open to the public) there are no licence implications, so village groups can screen films at very low cost as part of their activities.

Either the downstairs or the upstairs can be used for band or event rehearsals, or for such things as yoga, pilates or just for group meetings or classes. We already host Fitness Dance, Todlins, The Thursday Drama Group (more adults always wel- come, but fully subscribed for youngsters) and the Community Choir sessions, but there is room for more. The rents are very reasonable.

There is a small fiction library in the Centre where books can be borrowed and/or exchanged. We are hoping to arrange a regular daytime opening time for the Centre to allow access to this facility, which is free. The Constant Times print facilities are available for hire for a range of printing services. We can’t actually do the printing for you, but there are computers with good software and a range of fast printers which can be used on a DIY basis by arrangement. The Constantine Museum is housed on one side of the Tolmen Centre. As well as the semi-permanent displays, there are archives of documents and photos, and, as important perhaps, the volunteer helpers have the expertise to help with all matters relating to village heritage.

The Tolmen Centre is a village facility entirely run by volunteers. It’s open to all, and everyone is welcome to make use of it. New ideas for events and activities are always welcomed. You can see details on this website or call in when we are open, or phone on 01326 341353.

Did you know you can rent the Tolmen Centre for private parties and weddings for a very modest fee? It has a great atmosphere and is very well equipped.