Press release for new project May 2011

Post date: May 26, 2011 11:42:28 AM

PRESS RELEASE

START

24th May 2011

UNIQUE HISTORY PROJECT LAUNCHES IN MID WALES WITH HELP OF HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of £10,200 to a new volunteer project based at Ty Mawr medieval hall nr. Castle Caereinion. The new ‘Live and Learn History Volunteers’ project will enable people of all ages to participate in the medieval living history displays held there by local heritage group History Matters, it was announced today.

The third year of summer open days at this award winning restored medieval house will again be bringing the sites and sounds of medieval Wales to life with living history displays of ancient crafts and skills, treating visitors to a glimpse of everyday life from 500 years ago. With the help of the Lottery funding the group responsible for the project are looking for volunteers to come and get involved, from helping with the public visits to taking part in displays. Volunteers will be offered places on workshops that teach some of the skills required of a bye gone age, from making authentic medieval clothing to cooking, leather work and crafting a longbow.

Gary Ball, Volunteer Project Officer for History Matters said:

“This is a unique opportunity for our volunteers, made possible by the Heritage Lottery Funding and aims to increase access and understanding of medieval history in Wales, it will allow people to volunteer not only from the local area but across the world, to learn old skills and crafts, discover the medieval heritage of Wales and how to tell these stories to others through living history. Thanks to this grant we can involve more people in our living history projects and workshops, and whilst hopefully encouraging the next generation to value their heritage; to teach medieval history in a lively and practical way.”

Jennifer Stewart, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Wales, added: “People love learning about their local heritage and volunteering is a great way of finding out more. This is a fantastic project which will bring people together to try their hand at something new and gain a deeper understanding of the medieval history around them.”

The project launches over the weekend of June 3rd and 4th during this years first summer Open Day which starts at 11am and ends at 4 pm both days and includes a costumed guided tour of Ty Mawr medieval hall.

Refreshments, free parking, toilets and disabled access is available.

Contact: Gary Ball, History Matters, 01938820684 historymattersonline@gmail.com

END

NOTES TO EDITORS

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 28,800 projects allocating over £4.3 billion across the UK, including more than 2,000 projects totalling over £217 million in Wales. To find out more, please visit www.hlf.org.uk