A special art weekend, Golden October, will take place at Cornubian Arts & Science Trust (CAST) in the centre of Helston this month.

The event will be held on October 26 and 27, welcoming visitors from 10am to 4pm.

It will be filled with free creative activities, with artists hosting open studios for the public to explore.

CAST, which was founded in 1897 as a School of Science and Art, is now home to around 20 professional artists and is run as a registered charity.

(Image: CAST) The weekend has been organised to celebrate the completion of major re-roofing work, funded by a grant from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

The grant has also enabled the installation of insulation and solar panels, and the restoration of Victorian windows.

Mike Thomas, Cornwall councillor for Helston North, said: "It is now twelve years since the Passmore Edwards building on Penrose Road first became known as CAST.

"Many local people will remember that at that time this fine historic building was in a semi-derelict state, boarded up and inhabited by pigeons.

"Incredible efforts to secure national and international grants have made several stages of rehabilitation possible and it is wonderful to see the building open to the community and serving a purpose that surely would have delighted the great Cornish philanthropist himself."

A lot of work has gone into the re-roofing of CAST (Image: CAST) Teresa Gleadowe, CAST’s executive chair, added: "When we first acquired the building we hosted an event called The Dark Rooms, organised by artist Jesse Leroy Smith.

"Artists came together to show work in what was then a near ruin and people came from all around to explore the exhibits and see the building again after many months of being boarded up.

"We’ve come a long way since then and we want to mark this journey by inviting everyone to come back and see what’s happening thanks to the support we’re receiving from the Shared Prosperity Fund."

A solar-powered future (Image: CAST) The Golden October weekend will offer opportunities to experience what has been going on at CAST, including an audio-visual installation exploring the history and science of colour, free guided walks, and workshops using techniques employed in the making of Neolithic pottery.

There will also be free drop-in printmaking workshops on October 26 and free pottery workshops on October 27.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for economy, noted: "Community and place are a key investment priority under the Shared Prosperity Fund and CAST is a great example of how we want to support our local communities.

"Completion of these extensive renovation works will ensure this vibrant, inclusive creative hub will benefit the residents for many years to come."