This year, Redruth-based holiday letting agency Cornish Cottage Holidays have run a competition with three Cornish primary schools including two from Helston, inviting students to design their 2023 calendar.

The calendar, which will showcase the work of the 12 winning children, will be printed and shared with the agency's holiday homeowners, suppliers, and business partners. Children from Roskear Primary School, Parc Eglos School, and Nansloe Academy, were all invited to take part in this exciting challenge. The agency received hundreds of entries from children of all ages, with artwork depicting everything from Cornwall's beautiful coastline, to its sites of historical importance – in all seasons!

Helston-based artist Alice Hole was tasked with judging the entries, and choosing just 12 winners, who have each received a prize and will get to see their artwork in print! The schools involved have also been awarded £100 worth of National Book Tokens each as a thank-you for their participation.

Alice said "'I was so honoured to be asked to judge the competition. It was a joy to see all the incredible artwork from the children. They clearly had worked very hard and choosing winners was extremely difficult. Seeing that art is so important to the next generation is lovely!"

The competition follows the hugely popular Christmas card designing challenge Cornish Cottage Holidays invited local children to participate last year.

Phil Pascoe, Operations Manager at Cornish Cottages Holidays said "It has been so wonderful to see such a beautiful, colourful variety of artwork being submitted by the children for our 2023 calendar. We clearly have such talented youngsters here in Cornwall – many budding artists who are obviously inspired by the landscape we are lucky enough to be surrounded by. 

"We are delighted to have such an impressive finished calendar, and are so grateful to our judge Alice, as well as the children, parents, and teachers who helped make this happen!"

To find out more about Cornish Cottage Holidays, visit Cornish Cottage Holidays.