Bodmin Old Cornwall Society – Preserving & Sharing Knowledge – Social Media

Posts from social media - Facebook

These Facebook posts cover a wide variety of Bodmin's history and people.

There are many images relating to each of the posts please click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image

3rd September 2020

In May 1998 the Environment Agency brought out a leaflet entitled "Beneath the Town - Safeguarding Bodmin from Flooding" I'm not sure how successful it was or whether the project was carried out.

It states that "Major flooding occurred in Bodmin in September 1976, December 1979, July 1987 and September 1993 - one of the contributing factors was insufficient capacity in the leat"

One of the main causes of flooding is quoted as being "development within the town." Not sure if they ever carried out this work but there are some interesting photographs.

BOCS - 03.09.2020

12th August 2020

Extract from "Life in Cornwall 1874 -The Police in Bodmin"

The police arrangements in this borough are of a very unsatisfactory character. The constable is paid low wages, and receives no clothing, and is required to keep no books. Two other persons are allowed £5 each per annum to assist the constable when required, but these arrangements are altogether defective. I was informed by some of the inhabitants that on the Market day just previous to my visit of inspection, the town was in a state of uproar from a fight, for several hours. There is no police office, and the cells, which are in a detached building, are unprovided with warming apparatus or closets. The constable performs is duty as he chooses, and there is no supervision, and I consider the force to be altogether insufficient for the requirements of the borough. (From a report of the Inspectors of Constabulary made to the Home Office 6th April 1860")

Bodmin Police Station c1880

This photo shows the Cornwall Constabulary Police H.Q. at Bodmin, taken approx. 1880s – 1890s. The Cornwall County Force was established in 1857 and the H.Q. Buildings were completed in 1867. In 1865, the smaller, separate, Bodmin Borough Police Force merged with the County Force.

27th July 2020

Remembering seven local Boy Scouts in 1920

On 27th July 1920, two candlesticks were dedicated and placed in the Sanctuary of St Petroc’s Parish Church, Bodmin and a service was held to commemorate seven Boy Scouts who had enlisted to serve in WWI. Five of these brave lads were killed in action; one died within a month of discharge due to ill health in 1917; one died due to sickness contracted in France.

A brass plaque placed in the Sanctuary records this event and the names of these Boy Scouts for posterity. A framed picture, in poor condition, containing photographs of six of the Boy Scouts was handed in to Bodmin Town Museum during the 1980s and is shown here. No photograph has so far been found of Harry Thomas.

Research by Bodmin Town Museum is ongoing and it is hoped that a booklet telling this story will be published in due course. For more information on this story, visit the Bodmin Town Museum section of the Museums in Cornwall website

Bodmin Boy Scouts who died WWI

From The Bodmin Deanery Magazine dated August 1920 "My Dear Friends, The memorial to the Scouts who were members of our patrols and who gave their lives in the war was dedicated and placed in the Church on Tuesday July 27th , in the presence of the scouts and wolf cubs and the relatives of the fallen and various members of the congregation. I was glad to officiate at the service. One of the scouts, Gregory Tonkin, who is also a server, helped in the service and lit from the candles on the altar the candles which were placed in the memorial standards, which were standing in the Sanctuary before the altar. The remembrance of the service will, I think, always be fresh in the minds of those who were present. Mrs Udy played the two hymns that formed part of the service and also the Dead March in Saul." Reverend Leonard Browne

9th July 2020

Article in the West Briton - Extract from "Life in Cornwall" 1st July 1859

On Tuesday, the first day of the Quarter Sessions, the express train, as might be expected, was very full of passengers on their way to Bodmin, and all the accommodation afforded at the station was one minibus, which was soon full to overflowing, consequently a mixed multitude made the best of their way on foot, and there might be seen trudging up the hill members of parliament, who were fortunate enough to get a seat in the House of Commons, but whose luck did not extend to a seat in the 'bus. There were also magistrates and policemen, some groaning under the weight of stolen goods to lay before the stealers at the sessions, and other camp followers bringing up the rear and, to make matters worse, it rained the whole day.

BOCS - Facebook image 09.07.2020

13th & 18th April 2020

Two original programmes located with the Bodmin Parish Magazines for 1910. The first is for the Ceremony for "Laying the Foundation Stone at the Masonic Hall" on 16th August 1910. The second is for "Laying the Foundation Stone of New Building East Cornwall Hospital"on 4th February 1910. The hymn on the reverse of this programme is "Immortal, Love, for ever full."

The members would all assemble in the Public Rooms before the procession to the Masonic Hall and the Ceremony.

Laying Foundation Stone at East Cornwall Hospital

Laying Foundation Stone Masonic Hall

6th April 2020

Bodmin Old Cornwall Society entered a competition with the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies last year for a record of their town in the 70's. It was fascinating to research what life was like during that decade and for our efforts we were joint winners. The cup was recently awarded to us whilst at a Society day at Kresen Kernow. I have posted some of the information and photos we published to remember what life was like 50 years ago.