An animated film by Helston schoolchildren and a ukulele orchestra are among the events in a two-week programme of activities celebrating Helston’s heritage from next week.

This year’s Helston Makes It! festival begins next Saturday, September 14, with the premiere of Parc Eglos School’s film Museum of Change from 11am at the Museum of Cornish Life.

The launch will also include music from the Ukulele Orchestra of Constantine and an exhibition of Penlee Gallery photographs showing Cornwall’s past, with a free family activity led by Rick Dunstan on all day.

The opening weekend continues on the Sunday with the Personality Portraits family workshop with Lucy Grant at CAST in Penrose Road, between 10am and 4pm, when artists with studios there will also be opening up their doors to visitors.

‘Charlotte Grylls’ (aka Amanda Boxer) tells the story of ‘The Making of the Millet Grylls Monument’ in memory of her father on Monday, September 16 at 1pm, at the monument at the bottom of Coinagehall Street.

Other activities over the two weeks include workshops in natural dyeing workshop, brooch making, illustration, needle felting, tapestry weaving, fabric printing and sculptural art.

Thursday, September 19 marks 70 years of the Museum of Cornish Life (formerly Helston Museum) in its present home, with celebrations taking place between 4pm and 6pm.

On Saturday, September 21, the Helston Mends It! workshop will give people help with fixing something that needs mending. Anyone with skills in darning, carpentry, cycle repairs or anything else in encouraged to go along to CAST between 10am and 1pm to give advice and help.

Then on Wednesday, September 25, find out more about the achievements and plans of the Helston Railway Company at 2pm in the museum.

The main festival ends on Saturday, September 28 with a mass Makers Celebration Day involving a variety of makers demonstrating their skills throughout the day at the museum – although there is an extra bonus on Tuesday, October 1 when St Michael’s and St Wendrona Bell-Ringers give a demonstration and talk at Wendron Church at 7.30pm.

A full programme is available printed from the Museum of Cornish Life or online at museumofcornishlife.co.uk/whats-on.