Backing Creativity: The Grant Scheme Powering Bodmin’s Recent Events

TIMEPIECE: Tempus Fugitives! -The Crew

Several of vibrant cultural, creative and community events have recently taken place in and around Bodmin, some supported through Experience Bodmin’s Events Grant scheme. Designed to boost footfall and local livelihoods while showcasing the town’s creativity, history and independent spirit, the programme aims to encourage residents and visitors alike to explore the town during a traditionally quieter time of year. By investing in live music, illuminated arts, outdoor activities and creative workshops, Experience Bodmin has helped animate the town centre, attract new audiences and offer fresh reasons to visit, stay longer and discover more of what the area has to offer.

TIMEPIECE: Tempus Fugitives! – An Illuminated Journey Through Time

- Bodmin town centre came alive on the Spring Equinox with TIMEPIECE: Tempus Fugitives!, an immersive, free, roving arts event that invited audiences to step into a playful world of time travel. Taking place across multiple town‑centre locations, this experimental performance blended storytelling, light and local heritage into a sequence of short pop‑up moments, all linked by an illuminated trail and guided map. Participants followed the “Tempus Fugitives” - accidental time travellers lost in Old Bodmin — uncovering clues and discovering famous and lesser‑known characters from the town’s past along the way. Delivered by a small team of local artists and performers, the event offered a fresh and imaginative way to experience Bodmin’s relationship with time, history and place, while encouraging people to explore the town on foot and see familiar spaces in a new light.

Battle of the Bands– A Soundtrack to Spring in Bodmin

- Live music was firmly in the spotlight with Battle of the Bands Bodmin, a multi‑round competition hosted at The Beat. Held across four dates — 25 January, 1 February, 8 February and the grand finale on 22 March - the event brought together 21 bands from Bodmin, across Cornwall and even further afield. Over the course of the competition, around 360 audience members attended in person, with many more reached through radio broadcasts and online promotion. Spanning genres from grunge and spoken word to acoustic and easy listening, the event created an energetic and inclusive atmosphere where musicians could connect, collaborate and share their stories. Beyond the music, Battle of the Bands had a strong community focus, helping to raise awareness of mental health through performances and personal journeys shared by participating artists. The success of the event - both creatively and socially - has laid strong foundations for future live music activity in Bodmin and reinforced the town’s growing reputation as a hub for grassroots talent.

Cotton Wood Easter Downhill Race - part of Cornwall Bicycle Project special events programme

- Outdoor adventure was also high on the agenda, thanks to The Cornwall Bicycle Project’s special events programme, which continues to provide inclusive and accessible cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Recent and upcoming activities near Bodmin have included friendly, entry‑level downhill races at Cotton Wood near Nanstallon, alongside family‑focused and adaptive cycling sessions designed to build confidence and encourage participation. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability and enjoyment, these events support healthier lifestyles while helping people connect with Cornwall’s outdoor spaces. By combining sport, community engagement and environmental awareness, The Cornwall Bicycle Project is creating welcoming pathways for more people to get active and explore the landscape around them.

Bodmin Gallery Heritage Workshops

- Creativity took a more hands‑on form at Bodmin Gallery with a series of workshops exploring the town's history and heritage. From silver jewellery to felting, calligraphy and willow weaving, participants have been able to develop new creative skills. The grant has funded equipment that have been used in 10 workshops so far with many more planned and to come in future months. Make sure to check out their programme and book yourself into a creative workshop to learn something new.

St Petroc's Heritage Adventures

-Bodmin Way recently invited families and visitors to explore one of Bodmin’s most important historic spaces in a fun and engaging way. Through interactive storytelling, creative activities and guided discovery, the event brought the history of St Petroc’s Church to life, encouraging people of all ages to connect with local heritage in an accessible and playful setting. It offered a fresh way to experience the building, while inspiring curiosity about Bodmin’s past.

The Shadow Lounge Brings Town Untold Stories to Life

The Shadow Lounge recently transformed St Petroc’s Church in Bodmin into an atmospheric, multi‑sensory experience, offering audiences a unique way to engage with heritage, storytelling and place. This immersive promenade event combined shifting light, shadow, sound and spoken word to re‑imagine local myths and untold stories within the historic setting of Cornwall’s largest parish church. Guided through a series of evocative installations, visitors experienced the building in a completely new way, as architecture, imagination and performance came together to create moments of surprise, reflection and connection. The event showcased how historic spaces can be activated through contemporary creative practice, drawing in new audiences and encouraging people to see familiar landmarks afresh.

A Town Full of Ideas and Energy

Together, these events reflect the breadth of activity happening in and around Bodmin - from large‑scale, town‑wide arts experiences to intimate creative workshops, from live music to outdoor adventure. Each one plays a part in building a vibrant, connected community and reinforcing Bodmin as a place where culture, creativity and participation are thriving.

And there’s more to come, so watch this space!