Bodmin’s thirteenth St Piran’s Day celebrations will take place on Monday 5 March. The event will feature the traditional parade which will assemble outside the Barley Sheaf in Higher Bore Street at 10:15 am. The parade will then progress to Mount Folly with Cornwall's new Lord Lieutenant, Colonel Edward Bolitho, to the accompaniment of a pipe band. Upon arrival, after the loudest “Oggy Oggy Oggy” chants in Cornwall and some short speeches, ‘Trelawny’ will be sung.

Once again children from all of Bodmin's schools are the most important part of the day's celebrations. In addition to taking part in the march, chanting, dancing and singing, they will be performing in St Petrocs Church after the march and contributing to a painting competition which will be on display in Shire Hall from 24 February.

Bodmin Lion Kevin Marshall who chairs the committee which has been organising Bodmin's 2012 St Piran's Day said: “Once again Bodmin will be the only place to be on St Piran's Day. What makes Bodmin so special is that we base our day around our children who are the future of Cornwall. Their enthusiasm is infectious bringing Cornwall's traditions alive in a unique way not seen anywhere else. My committee is delighted that Cornwall's new Lord Lieutenant has chosen to come to Bodmin on Cornwall's most special day.”

As in previous years Bodmin is expecting to welcome Cornishmen and women from London, Bournemouth and around the country to take part.

Keith Truscott who helped set up the first St Piran's Day and has been keenly involved ever since said: “Bodmin's St Piran's day gets better every year . What will be new this year is a painting competition which will be displayed in Shire Hall. We have raised money to gives prizes for the best entries. We are more interested in paintings that capture the spirit of Cornwall and St Piran than finding artistic masterpieces.”


   St Piran's Day - basic event itinerary (PDF)

Bodmin Town Council is pleased to confirm its budget for the coming financial year (2012 / 2013) with a total expenditure of £1,322,028 and a Precept of £1,022,000.

This represents an increase of 1.97% on a Band D Property which is equivalent to an increase of 8 pence per week.

Keeping the increase to this level has only been made possible by prudent financial management and efficient housekeeping, and followed some hard decision-making by Councillors in a budget meeting lasting over 5 hours.

The good news for motorists using the Priory Car Park in the town centre is that the Town Council has frozen its car parking charges, to help support the town centre economy during times of austerity. This budget makes provision for the cost of elections, not only any by-elections that might occur in this year, but also some funding toward the cost of the full elections in May 2013.

This year sees a reduction in core administration costs, with budget savings including a target reduction of 20% in printing and postage by more effective use of email to send documents and electronic invoicing for those people using our services and facilities that are online.

The budget also includes provision for the town centre CCTV system, which is recognised as being a vital tool for community safety.

The Council is also setting aside funding for building repair, which should help to keep costs down in the future.

All of the Town Council’s income is generated from the sale of services, room hire, cemeteries, car parks or the council tax. The Town Council receives no grants from Central Government nor any share of the Business Rates collected in the town. Unlike Cornwall Council, the Town Council does not receive support from the Government to offset the cost of council tax increases up to 2.5%.

Bodmin Town Council supports and assists a large number of organisations in the community. Click here for further information on the range of Town Council services.

Bodmin Community Cinema is proud and privileged to be able to bring you the Premiere of 'The Murder of Nevell Norway', the new film from Chris Batters', SW Film & Theatre Productions part of CB Productions SW group.

This is a fantastic local period drama telling the story of the murder in 1840 of the wealthy merchant Nevell Norway from Wadebridge, by William & James Lightfoot.

The murder took place on the road between Bodmin & Wadebridge near Pencarrow, and following their eventual arrest, they were tried and convicted in the courts at Shire Hall, Bodmin. They were then imprisoned and eventually hanged in Bodmin Jail.

The production used many local actors and extras, also many of the locations in the story are still in existence and allowed filming to be carried out around Bodmin and Wadebridge. Come along and see whom or what you can spot.

The Premiere is on Thursday 16th February 2012 , in the Shire House Suite , Bodmin. Doors open at 7.15pm .

As it is the premiere the Mayors of both Bodmin and Wadebridge are being invited to attend , we are looking for this to be a black tie event, especially as the press, radio and television are being informed about this special night.

It is advised that you book your tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Such is the interest in the film, and the number of people connected with the making of it, we are expecting a sell out. It has been only 3 days since we set this up and we have already sold a third of the tickets. We will be charging only £4 per ticket for the event which includes a drink and canapes on arrival.

Profits from the ticket sales will help the cinema survive. Phone us on 01208 77446 or email us here with 'Premiere Tickets' as the subject.

If there is sufficient demand we will hold a second screening at a later date. Chris will have DVD's of the film available for sale on the night at a reduced price of £5. Profits from the DVD will help fund his next production.

We hope you can come along to what will be a fantastic evening. Don't forget our regular screening will be on the following day - Friday 17th February with 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' (15) in the Public Rooms and this month's film is 'Submarine' (15) next Friday - 20th January. Check the Bodmin Community Cinema website for details.

 
   Premiere Poster (PDF)

You can help shape growth and development in Bodmin over the next 20 years by offering your views.

The work undertaken to date on the Bodmin Masterplan has been incorporated into two documents and consultation on these will take place shortly.

A meeting for this purpose has been scheduled for Friday 3 February between 12.00pm - 7.00pm. at the Public Rooms in Bodmin.

Link to the Cornwall Council website for further information about this meeting plus documentation about the Bodmin Masterplan.

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At a Full Council meeting on 17 November last year, Bodmin Town Councillors were given a presentation by Janey Comber from the charity, Contact the Elderly.

The charity is currently looking for local volunteers in the hope that its services can be offered to make a difference to the elderly in Bodmin.

Keen to support the initiative, Bodmin Town Councillors wish to encourage individuals and community groups from the Bodmin area to become involved.

Contact the Elderly is the only national charity solely dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people.

"We aim to do this by organising monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups of older people (aged 75+) who live alone, and volunteers within their local community, offering a regular and vital friendship link every month" (from the Contact the Elderly website).

You can find out more about how Contact the Elderly make an impact and how you can help with their plans for the Bodmin area by visiting the Contact the Elderly website.

 
   A brochure produced by the charity can be viewed here (PDF)

An election is to be held to elect a new councillor to represent St Mary’s ward on Bodmin Town Council.

The by election has been called after more than ten electors petitioned the Returning Officer calling for an election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Frederick Hancock.

The Notice of Election will be formally published on Thursday, 26 January.

Anyone wishing to be a candidate can get nomination papers from the Deputy Returning Officer based at Luxstowe House, Liskeard, PL14 3DZ (01579 341234).

If more than one person stands for election a poll will take place on Thursday, 1 March 2012.



  

The work to rebuild Narisa Hall in Priory Park is almost complete.

The new building replaces the previous structure which was destroyed by fire in December 2009 due to an arson attack.

Bodmin Town Council is pleased with the build quality and with Gloweth Ltd, the principal Contractor, in providing a much needed and modern community facility for the benefit of the town.

RTP Surveyors have also seamlessly project-managed the rebuild and the Council would like to thank both firms for their professionalism and friendly, efficient working practices.

A formal opening of the new building is being organised for early this year.



  

On Friday 6 January 2012, the Bodmin Wassailer’s graced various parts of the town of Bodmin with their traditional costume and songs.

One of their stops included the Shire House where they were warmly recieved at 12 noon by Town Clerk Paul O'Callaghan, Bodmin Mayor Councillor Ralph Solomons, Deputy Mayor Councillor Ken Stubbs and other Bodmin Town Councillors.

The Bodmin Wassail is one of only two surviving traditional visiting wassails which are very different from apple tree wassails. It is unique in that records confirm it has survived continuously since 1640.

The male only group visit houses in Bodmin singing two songs – one when seeking entry and another upon leaving – in return for hospitality and donations to local charities.