Warm Spaces & History Alive

With fuel and food bills rising, Bodmin Town Council's 'Warm Spaces Project' offers a cosy place to sit, chat, read and enjoy hot drinks and snacks all for free.

Members of St. Petroc's Church and Bodmin's Inner Wheel are offering a 'Warm Space' every Saturday in November, 10.30am to 1.30pm, at St. Petroc's Parish Centre (next to Priory Park), with free hot drinks, cakes, biscuits and soup with a roll.

It's a collaborate venture with Bodmin Way Community Courses offering sessions with a tutor from Bodmin Keep. The experience is called "History Alive: Bodmin Keep’s interactive objects" and is for all ages to explore the past, through interacting with fascinating objects from bygone days.

12 Nov: Remembrance & poppies try your hand at making poppies out of felt.

19 Nov: Life during the Second World War.

26 Nov: Play children’s games from the 1940s.

These interactive sessions take place during the 'Warm Space' at St. Petroc's Parish Centre, from 11am to 12pm (11.30am to 12.30pm on the last session).

A large suitcase was brought to the Parish Centre on the first Saturday in November. Inside were objects, personal items and photos for us to pick up and explore. Guesses were made as to what some of the items were and the friendly expert from the Keep explained the rest.

We discussed the uniforms the combatants had to wear in WWI; itchy, woollen trousers and jackets that became very heavy when wet and boots with the soles nailed on from the inside, making every step a reminder of how the boots were made. What's more, the ankle boots were too low for the depth of mud the men experienced in the trenches. Even the caps were made of wool and were not converted to hard 'brodie helmets' until half way through the conflict.

After exploring the items in the suitcase, one participant said: "World War I is both fascinating and horrifying in equal measure."

Many who gathered at the 'Warm Space' on the first Saturday in November are particularly looking forward to next week's session with Bodmin Keep as there's the chance to get creative and make poppies.

Feel free to join us, whether individually or with the whole family!

Another 'Warm Space' at St. Petroc's Parish Centre, offering hot drinks and tasty food for free, takes place every Friday, from 9.30am to 12pm. Again, everyone is welcome to come along for the whole time or drop in.

Furthermore there are other venues in the town that offer a 'Warm Space' - look out for the logo.