Bodmin Way Community Choir at Eden
- Barbara Brittain
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Event details
The Eden Project celebrated its 25th birthday on 17 March 2026, marking a quarter-century since opening in 2001.
Its 25th anniversary celebration featured local community choirs, a showstopping cake-cutting moment and special performances in the Mediterranean Biome, including welcomes from co-founder Sir Tim Smit (Facebook post).
An invitation
In mid-February, Caroline Bailey, musical director of Bodmin Way Community Choir, posted on the choir’s WhatsApp news from Emma Mansfield, who’d organised the Christmas singing at Eden at which the choir performed.
She explained the BBC was planning to film for their national morning show LIVE at Eden’s celebratory anniversary!
Emma had written a heartfelt plea in her email to choir leaders:
“It is a big ask to get singers there for that time (6am!) but it will be great fun and a massive opportunity for Eden, and a proper nationwide broadcast and reminder of Cornwall’s huge heritage of singing and incredible powers of innovation and drive to turn things around after the downturn in the mining industry.
“Many of us have memories of the huge endeavour, rain beaten drama and the all-out belief it took to make the Eden Project happen.
“Once built, so many have had joyous times there, seen or experienced the huge economic benefits to the area, and enjoyed the great opportunities and fun times to be there, perform there, sing there or just visit.
“This is a massive moment for Eden, 25 years on, and for Cornwall and it would be so wonderful to have as many singers involved as possible, but we appreciate it is an early call and a big ask but … it will be another important and very memorable moment in the history of Eden and Cornwall’s story of really putting itself on the map of the UK in terms of positive people power.
"Once the BBC are off air there will be a celebration with cake and coffee and we might even sing more songs - so hopefully it will be a really special and momentous occasion to feel excited about and want to get up early for!
“And make no mistake - all of the hard working organisers, marketeers, press, PR people and site operations team - Eden know this is a huge and massive request but if there is one community, in this land of song, that can pull this off for Eden and for Cornwall it is our huge, powerful and loved-filled community of SINGERS! So, let’s go large!”
The choir’s participation
Caroline said:
“Personally I am up for this! I think it would be a fabulous opportunity for our wonderful choir - and we are able to invite newcomers along to be part of it too, so do invite any friends to join us!”
How could the choir resist? Caroline signed up to join many other choirs singing ‘Cornwall My Home’, a newly commissioned song written by Eden staff and associates present and past, and ‘Happy Birthday’ of course!
Rehearsal
The big rehearsal took place on Mothering Sunday.
Afterwards, Caroline said:
“Thank you everyone for your hard work in the Eden rehearsal yesterday - it was a long one. It sounded great with all the parts coming together and it really took shape especially with the strong lead from the composer who led us with passion and vigour.
“It's so good to connect in with this experience and to share in some of the amazing singing opportunities in Cornwall. Looking forward to our early extravaganza on 17 March.”
Performance
Turn up your volume to hear the big sing!
A Facebook Reel
Can you spot Bodmin Way choir members in this Facebook reel?
An invitation
For anyone, of any age or ability, wishing to join our community choir, please contact Caroline at caroline.bailey@bodminway.org for the choir’s singing programme. There will, no doubt, be other sensational events to be part of, so come along and join the fun.
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