(May 2016)

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“A fantastic way for the children to learn about their local landscape through communication and activity with those who were experts in the land and ultimately those who have known, worked and cherished this beautiful area throughout their lives, the older members of our community,” said Mrs Gittins, Head of Newcastle CE Primary School. “The Memories of the Landscape project stimulated and informed children with a wealth of knowledge and the outcome has enthused children about their local area.”
 

See the video here!

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Wednesday 24th February saw the culmination of a CPRE Shropshire project that started in October last year. Funded by The Big Lottery, it brought together eight year 6 pupils from Newcastle CE Primary school, near Clun in South Shropshire with a group of older local people who have an interest in, or connection to, the land. The group explored how the local landscape has changed in living memory, and the impact of man on the landscape over hundreds of years.

Judy Crabb, CPRE Shropshire, together with the support of Cath Landles (Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership), Viviana Culshaw (Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust), local artist Angela Martin, film-maker, Tom Middleton and Sarah Griffiths, heritage learning consultant, orchestrated this pilot project, which has the potential to be rolled out and have value in other rural areas.
 

A final celebratory event was held in Newcastle on a bright February day, with all participants and attended by Antonia White, Senior Branch Development Officer at CPRE National Office (pictured right).
 

CPRE is committed to protecting and enhancing our landscape heritage for the benefit of all and this project was hugely enjoyed by older and younger people alike. Two handling ‘cases’ were created, based on the work of the group that can now be used and enjoyed by generations to come. One case will be for use by schools in the area; the other has been designed for use in care settings with residents who may enjoy reminiscing. Since the collection aims to stimulate memory and start a conversation, this may be particularly helpful to those living with dementia.

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The ‘community’ case has been donated to Bishops Castle Heritage Resource Centre (see opposite) and will be available for booking by local care homes, community groups and other organisations that care for elderly people living in the area.

 

To borrow the case, please contact Patricia Theobald at Bishops Castle Heritage Resource Centre (01588 630556).