The Welsh Assembly Government CyMAL grant award, worth £4,384, is part of a £2.8 million package to develop the work of libraries, museums and archives throughout Wales, announced by Minister for Heritage Alun Ffred Jones.
The “Talk of the Town” project aims to develop educational boxes highlighting and celebrating the historical importance of landmarks in selected towns in Denbighshire, and will be primarily for Foundation Phase education (ages 3-7). Although led by the Archives service, based at Ruthin Gaol, these resources will be developed in partnership with the Heritage Service and the Education Foundation Phase department within Denbighshire County Council.
The project aims to raise pupils’ awareness of places and events of historical importance throughout the County, whilst creating a resource that connects the county historically and creatively. Each box will have activities linked to the Foundation Phase Framework to bring the resources to life for both teachers and pupils.
Although the target audience is predominantly Foundation Phase, much of the resources within the boxes will be of relevance to key stage 2 pupils (ages 7-11). This will enable seamless provision of historic resources which will enable teachers to capture the entire school within the project if desired. It will also enable teachers to revisit the boxes with the children at different stages of their development, which will reinforce their skills and understanding of these historic sources.
The boxes will incorporate copies of historic documents stored by the Archives service which will be complemented by replica artefacts of museum items or objects which would be of relevance.
By providing educational boxes that are available to all schools within the County, it will bring history to schools who would otherwise be unable to visit the Archives due to financial resources or geographical location. The benefits to the schools, teachers and pupils are clearly visible, introducing them to historic resources and developing new skills and understanding of the area they live in.
There are also the accompanying benefits of children introducing the Archives to their parents, carers and siblings, who may in turn develop an eagerness to learn more about their locality.
The project initially concentrates on three towns, Ruthin, Rhyl and Llangollen which have been selected to represent the north, south and central regions of the County.
