Local history and heritage

December 2007- Arden Trail Update

Click here to download the December quarterly newsletter on the progress of the project

Autumn 2007 - Arden Trail Update

Click here to download the Autumn quarterly newsletter on the progress of the project

*New* Quarryman's Leaflet

This Leaflet is about various walks around the old Hartshill Quarries and countryside of Hartshill in North Warwickshire.

Click here to download the Quarryman's Leaflet.

Click here to download the June quarterly newsletter on the progress of the project

March 2007 - Arden Trail Update

Click here to download the March quarterly newsletter on the progress of the project

Click here to download the December 2006 quarterly newsletter on the progress of the the project

25th November 2006- Atherstone Sculpture Unveiled

As a lead up to the Heritage Lottery funded North Arden Heritage Trail project, a pilot project was run and has now been completed with the unveiling of a new sculpture on Atherstone's Dicken's Night. Funded by a £10,000 grant from the Public Arts fund of Warwickshire County Council, the statue was officially unveiled on Saturday 25th November, outside the Co-op Foodstore on Station Street, Atherstone.

The Yorkshire Artist, Michael Disley created the sculpture, following a stone carving workshop and consultation event held in October 2005. Four of these bold three dimensional carvings depicting local heritage will form part of the sculpture, the others, produced by local people will be placed along the canal towpath through Atherstone. The feature has been created from millstone grit and the carvings from Sandstone. It shows two figures, an adult and a child, reaching for the ball during the Atherstone Ball Game, an event that has taken place on Shrove Tuesday for 800 years. Both figures wear hats to celebrate Atherstone's place in the hatting and felting industry. The child stands on a pile of books in recognition of both the town's position as a place of learning since the 16th century and the more recent booktown initiative.

Click here to download a photograph of the sculpture

22nd November 2006- Project Launched!

Around 120 people attended the official launch of the North Arden Heritage Trail project on Wednesday 22nd November at Nether Whitacre Village Hall, where West Midlands author and broadcaster Professor Carl Chinn was the guest speaker. At the event, opened by Councillor Adrian Edgington, Mayor of North Warwickshire, Project Manager Garry Jones, gave a presentation about the future development of the trail, encouraging people to come forward with their ideas and get involved.

Carl Chinn then took to the stage to speak of the importance of local heritage, providing a link between the past, the present and the future. Garry said: " Carl Chinn's inspiring talk emphasised how much of the heritage of Birmingham and southern Warwickshire actually stems from North Warwickshire - an area which has always lived in the shadow of Warwick and Stratford. He explained how dialects, fables and several historic families have their roots in the Borough. As for the event, it was an impressive turnout for a rainy November evening, so I hope the enthusiasm will continue for the duration of the project over the next three years! "

10th February 2006

The successful Heritage Lottery Bid for the North Arden Heritage Trail is celebrating a lottery win with the news of a £442,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The money will fund the creation of a heritage trail exploring the historic tracks and walks in the North Arden Landscape.

Commenting on the award, HLF's regional manager Anne Jenkins said, "Much of the physical evidence of North Arden's agricultural, industrial and craft heritage has been lost over the years. This project will allow people to share their memories of the past and ensure that the ancient traditions aren't forgotten. Hopefully this news will encourage more groups to come forward and apply for funding to protect the area's unique heritage."

The bid was submitted to HLF on behalf of the North Warwickshire Community Partnership by Carolyn Cox from the County Council and Julie Taylor and Judith Edwards-Sturley from North Warwickshire Borough Council. It followed months of consultation with local people including Town and Parish Councils, schools, walking groups, disability groups, Atherstone Civic Society and North Warwickshire Heritage Forum. Julie Taylor from North Warwickshire Borough Council said: "This is a great achievement for North Warwickshire, which will surely put the Borough on the map both locally and regionally. The trail will highlight North Warwickshire's distinctive history, heritage and landscapes and hopefully bring many more visitors to the Borough. "

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