Children from flood-hit school to re-open Eden ice rink one month after flood

December 14, 2010

Children from severely flooded Pondhu School will be the first to try out the re-opened ice rink at the Eden Project this week.

The rink was among several areas of the Eden site damaged in the flood on November 17 which affected hundreds of businesses and households in mid Cornwall.

Eden was shut to visitors for a week as staff worked around the clock to repair damaged areas.

The rink was one of the worst-affected areas but after major repairs and testing, it will be open to visitors again on Friday, December 17 - a month after the flood.

To mark the occasion, Eden has invited children from St Austell's Pondhu School to have a free skate a day beforehand at noon on Thursday, December 16. 

The  primary school was also badly affected by the flood and had to shut for four days.

Free coaches to transport the 120 children to Eden will be provided by First Devon & Cornwall and Truronian Holidays. 

On Friday, December 17, the return of the ice rink coincides with Eden's sparkling Christmas season which features a host of festive activities including lantern processions, carols sung by Cornish choirs and delicious seasonal food.
There will be hourly skating sessions from 3pm, a lantern parade starting at 5.45pm, performances from a live Cornish band and choirs and food in the Mediterranean Biome throughout the evening. At 8.45pm there will be a closing procession featuring fireworks and fire sculptures.