Whispers from the Model is a collection of fascinating memories, stories and pictures about life at New Bolsover Model Village. From captivating oral histories and storytelling sessions with residents past and present to the wonderful imaginations of children from New Bolsover Primary School, we’ve delved into the unique heritage of the Model Village. We’ve heard tales of miners’ pastimes, mischievous childhood games and the Model’s memorable characters. Most of all we’ve had happy times, reflecting on the past and creatively writing the future. You can read Whispers from the Model by downloading the publication here: Junction Arts Whispers From The Model

Or it is also available to download via Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/shop/junction-arts/whispers-from-the-model/ebook/product-23787773.html

School Workshops
As part of the project we have been working with the Year 4 class at New Bolsover Primary to create fictional stories about what life will be like in 2038. Imaginations have gone wild and the Model Village – renamed ‘Boza Paradise Village’ – is equipped with a chocolate fountain, medical centre, village farm, amphitheatre, big screen and teleportation pod – all operated by windmills.

Storyteller Andy Messer and artist Bob Moulder have been supporting the class of 33 to learn about how to create graphic novels from story development, character building, illustration, design, scriptwriting and onomatopoeia – because every comic needs a POW or ZAP.

Community Workshops
When we’re not in the school, we’ve been meeting past residents who have shared very happy memories about life on the Model in the 30s, 40s, 50 and 60s! On Monday 25^th June we hosted a storytelling session, inviting past and present residents to share memories and photographs from the Model. We’ve heard about the tin bath that pulled out from a cupboard in the bedroom, we’ve heard about the pranks that the kids used to play on their neighbours and we’ve heard about the doctor’s surgery at the Killer’s house at 133 (unfortunate name for the mining family who rented out their living room to a doctors surgery twice a week!). One thing that everyone says is ‘everybody knew everybody’.

Over the summer we will be listening to more stories and working with the community to produce a celebratory publication that reflects the rich heritage of the Model, whilst capturing the challenges of the present day and looking forward to what the village will be like in decades to come, however wonderful and bizarre!

Come along to the Heritage Open Day and Big Lunch on Saturday 8^th September at New Bolsover to see some of the great work the community has been doing at the Model.