A COUNTRY house which threw open its doors to the general public for a chance to have a look around and enjoy entertainment and local arts and crafts has raised £910 for the Truro Child Development Centre, Treliske.

Trish and Richard Stone, owners of Trevince, opened their family home for a unique retail shopping experience during the lead up to Christmas last year.

“We opened our front of house to allow customers to wander from the hall, into the library, the drawing room and the billiard room – each room filled with unique gifts to buy for friends and family” explained Trish.

“Such was the support in 2016, we transformed the Victorian stables and tack rooms into an art gallery, where local artists and artisans filled the stalls with a variety of paintings, textiles, jewellery, vintage gardening tools, wreath-making demonstrations, art, textiles, wood-turning and blacksmithing gifts.

“We created a ‘pop up café’ in our dining room and served fresh locally made cakes, coffees and during lunch time, a fresh selection of delicious lunches, which proved very popular” added Richard

Customers were treated to rousing performances by the Ingleheart Choir and Kesseni Singers, who sang their respective sets from the balustrade gallery, above the Hall. “The acoustics were fabulous and such a privilege to sing in this lovely home” commented Claire Ingleheart.

The Stones, Kesseni and Ingleheart Choir joined together to raise funds for the Truro Child Development Centre and on receiving the large cheque from Richard Stone, delighted Dilys Vincent, Head Teacher of the Centre explained

“The Child Development Centre [CDC] at Truro, is a specialist nursery for children 3-5 years with long-term and complex needs. It supports up to 40 children across the year in Truro and 86 countywide, assessing their needs and putting support interventions in place for their next steps in nursery and school. Our centre is based at Dolphin House, Treliske hospital alongside other health professionals who support the children attending the Centre.”

“In February 2018 with some of the monies raised, we have arranged for a music training session for all staff in CDC’s across Cornwall, with a specialist who will demonstrate a range of strategies and ideas, which can be used with all our children. We also aim to buy some specialist equipment recommended for this type of support.”

“It was a privilege to be shown around the Centre with Dilys today and to hear how the funds will be used by this inspiring Centre” said Trish.

The Trevince Country House Christmas 2018 will be opening its doors again during the weekends of 30th November 30 to 2nd December 2 and December 7 to 9. For further information, visit trevince.co.uk or Facebook: Trevince House.