CHILDREN at a primary school in Cornwall were given a music lesson to remember as a Mercury Prize-nominated singer paid them a special visit.

Gwenno, who sings in the Cornish language as well as Welsh and English, ran a music workshop for the Year 5 pupils at Mevagissey Primary School themed around Cornish language and identity.

The workshop was delivered ahead of her appearance at the Heligan Homecoming Festival on Thursday, June 19. Gwenno is part of a line-up of artists, comedians and thinkers who will be exploring the themes of home and belonging at the festival.

Gwenno said: “I think it's really nourishing for children to learn about local heritage and history in a language that is from the place where they live. Music is just a perfect way of communicating a lot of big ideas and it was great to see the children engaging so enthusiastically.”

Assistant headteacher Lauren Rees said: “Watching the children was magical. They were enchanted by the songs and stories that Gwenno shared with them.

“It has ignited a real spark in them to want to explore more about the Cornish heritage and language and provided a great launchpad for us to facilitate that learning journey for the school. A huge thank you for all involved for bringing this experience to our children.”

Matthew Shaw, Heligan Homecoming Festival director, said: “It was fantastic to see Gwenno run a Cornish language music lesson for children at Heligan’s nearest primary school. The children really enjoyed the music and were fascinated to learn about the Cornish language and its history.”

The festival, on selected dates between June 13 and 22 at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, will include musician Seth Lakeman, comedienne Dawn French, poet laureate Simon Armitage and chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

For more information on the festival, see www.heliganhomecoming.co.uk