CAST will be throwing open its doors this weekend as part of ‘Golden October’ marking the a major re-roofing of its building.

On Saturday and Sunday the building in Penrose Road will welcome visitors between 10am and 4pm for a programme of free creative activities.

Artists who work in the building will host their annual open studios and everyone is invited to drop in, look around, join in and learn more about what CAST is and does.

CAST’s café will also be open for the whole weekend.

Founded in 1897 as a School of Science and Art, with funding from the Cornish philanthropist John Passmore Edwards, the building is now home to around 20 professional artists and is run as a registered charity.

Mike Thomas, Cornwall Councillor (Helston North), who is also a member of Helston Town Council and a former mayor said: “It is now 12 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.”

This special weekend has been planned to celebrate completion of major re-roofing work, which has taken place thanks to a £705,374 grant from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, awarded by Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Programme.

As well as replacing leaking roofs, the grant has enabled insulation and solar panels to be installed and the Victorian windows to be restored.

It is also supporting improvements to the public areas and entry points to the building, most notably the rebuilding of the steps from Wendron Street car park, which had fallen into serious disrepair.

Some renovations will continue through the winter months, but, at this important milestone, CAST said it wanted to share what has been achieved in turning a redundant heritage building into a creative hub that is open to all.

Weekend timetable of free and paid-for craft activities

Saturday, October 26

  • Block printing workshop: 10am to 4pm. Free, just drop in
  • Tri-chromatic print workshops: 10am / 11am / 1.30pm / 3pm. Free, booking required
  • Seaweed pressing workshop with The Seaweed Institute: 3pm to 5.30pm. £28, booking required
  • Beaker decorating workshop with Clay Trap: 3pm to 4.30pm. £30, booking required
  • From Parish to Port: 10.30am to 4pm. Free walk, booking required
  • Colour Play: 10am to 4pm. Free, just drop in

Sunday, October 27

  • Portrait Pots: 10am to 4pm. Free, just drop in
  • Tiny Neolithic Vessels: 10am to 1pm. Free, just drop in
  • Colour Play: 10am to 4pm. Free, just drop in
  • Neolithic Pinch Pottery: 2pm to 5pm. £50, booking required
  • Reading in Place, Rinsey: 10.30am to 1pm. Free walk, booking required
  • The Mason’s Mark, Helston: 11am to 1pm. Free walk, booking required