A war memorial in Bologna, Italy

Ever since we've been working on Heart of Conflict (our project in west Cornwall looking at the legacy of World War One) I've been very conscious of war memorials.

This one - spotted in central Bologna last Sunday - is particularly poignant. It's a memorial to those who died in World War Two, particularly resistance fighters.
The photos and names are lined up in a grid: there are many women.
It made me wonder how Cornish war memorials would look - were there pictures.

Heart of Conflict events planned for November

Redruth Boys Brigade visits Helston Museum to learn more about WW1 

We're moving on with our Heart of Conflict project, looking at the legacy of World War One in the Camborne/Redruth area of Cornwall. We are working with local groups to collect personal stories, objects and photographs, These went on on display at the Cornish Studies Library, Redruth, in February 2015  - and we'll be staging three 'pop up' events in the autumn to mark Remembrance Day this year. Local Guides and youth groups will be involved, and we’ll invite everyone who was involved in the February exhibition as well.
Entry is free: please do let us know if you'd like to be involved. The events are:

• an evening at Penponds Church looking at the War Memorial there on Friday 6^th November at 7pm
• a ‘pop up exhibition’ at Redruth Wesleyan Chapel on Saturday 30 October from 10am to 4pm
• a similar event at the Donald Thomas Centre, Camborne, on Saturday 7^th November from 10am to 4pm.
  
  
  
  

War memorial in Newlyn

Visiting the war memorial in Newlyn with Bridging Arts volunteer Mike Matthews. It was dedicated around 1920. The stonework was created by local stonemason Mr Snell of Newlyn: the Bronze sculpture is the work of L. S. Merrifield. It's right outside the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen at the entrance to North Pier. The bronze now has a green patina - reminiscent of the panels that decorate the Newlyn Gallery a few hundred yards away. These were created for the Gallery opening in 1894.

Bronze panel on War Memorial in Newlyn

The bronze panels on the Gallery were created by members of John Drew Mackenzie's Newlyn Industrial Class - set up in the early 1890s 'to provide a useful occupation for young fishermen in times of unemployment'.  

The gallery itself is an immensely solid building financed by Passmore Edwards, very reflective of the wealth and certainty of the late Victorian years.

On the way back to the car we see more architecture perfectly of its period - Tudorbethan - a new word to me but Mike says it was typical of the 1920s and 30s, bringing together mock Tudor, Jacobean and Elizabethan elements.

Volunteer spots possible new idea for Stitch project

Our volunteer Katrina Williams has an eagle eye for the new and unexpected - and spotted this embroidered book cover, a wonderful venture from Penguin.

Perhaps we'll develop something similar in our Stitch project - looking at the ways embroidery and needlework can bring people of very different backgrounds together.

A rainy moming in Truro and discussions on Heart of Conflict

A very rainy morning in Truro but good to visit the Royal Cornwall Museum for a meeting on Heart of Conflict. We're in the process of working out next steps....
It's always wonderful to see thethe museum's fantastic gold and ancient artefacts (and of course Nick Jensen's skateboard on display on the ground floor).
En route from the car to the Museum, a kind passerby points out the wonderful lionheads on this terrace. She says they look like J.B. Priestley.
Perhaps - and what a wonderful terrace!

A quick link to our latest Education Pack

We're making further plans for Heart of Conflict - marking the centenary of the World War One years - and here's a link to our Education Pack..... for use by groups of all ages.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and helped with this.
Pictured (left) Karin Saunders of 7th Camborne Guides with Maisie, who helped interview people and collect memories of the War.

Rachmaninov by candlelight - join us and raise money for Bridging Arts

Not to be missed:  please do come along on Thursday 19 November 2015 for a very special concert by candlelight of Rachmaninov's All Night Vigil at St Martin-in-the Fields, central London.

This is part of the Brandenburg Choral Festival of London with the innovative London Chamber Choir Illumination, conducted by Alexander Campkin. We're delighted that a percentage of ticket sales will be going to Bridging Arts.

The concert lasts just one hour. To book, go to Eventbrite or email info@bridging-arts.com.