Cornwall Record Office in Truro is launching a new series of creative 'ArTchive' workshops inspired by the archive collections held in the office’s secure strongrooms.

The free events will each last a day and participants will enjoy a guided tour of the Office’s secure strongrooms – home to more than half a million documents related to Cornwall – before taking part in a workshop.

There are three workshops on offer. The first on Tuesday, February 3  will be led by well-known artist and illustrator, Sue Lewington, and is entitled ‘The Lost Art of Correspondence’.

Participants will make a book inspired by the volumes and letters held within the strongrooms, and their own correspondence and memories.

On Friday,February 6, ‘Poetry from the Archive’ will be led by poet Annabel Banks, who is currently finishing a PhD related to the letters of leading lights of the industrial revolution, Matthew Boulton and James Watt, which are held at the office.

Participants will be introduced to the letters and hear more about Annabel’s practice, before writing their own poetry.

‘Putting Pen to Paper: Stories Inspired by the Archive’, on Monday, February 9, will be led by local author and historian, Steph Haxton.

Steph is well-known to teachers around Cornwall as ‘The History Lady’ and has recently completed her first novel, inspired by civil war documents held at the office. Those taking part in the workshop will hear about Steph’s inspirations before taking part in a range of creative writing exercises.

All the workshops take place from 10am-4pm at the Record Office, Old County Hall, Truro.

Please note that pre-booking is essential as places are very limited. A £10 refundable deposit – payable by cheque - is also required in advance of the workshop. Please note that lunch is not provided; participants are welcome to bring a packed lunch.

Chloe Phillips, learning officer at Cornwall Record Office, said “We’re really excited to be working with such interesting and creative people and are looking forward to seeing our collections interpreted in new and different ways both by the workshop leaders and their participants. These workshops are pilot events for a programme of creative activities we are hoping to run in future.”

For more information, or to book a place on one of the workshops, please call the Record Office on 01872 323127.

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