Event - Community Archaeology Handbook - Workshop (Notts)

As part of the Trent Vale project Nottinghamshire Community Archaeology are looking at producing a Community Archaeology Handbook; a guide book, written by the community to help groups and individuals get ideas for projects and carry them out.  The guide will cover a wide range of topics including;

• documentary research
• map regression
• field walking
• geophysics
• excavation
• oral history
• publicity
• health and safety
• report writing
• project design
• interpretation

They are looking for people who might be interested in contributing to this guide, and writing parts for it.  You don't need to have any experience as they will put on training sessions for many topics, so this is a great opportunity to learn something new or brush up on skills you already have, and share your knowledge with like-minded people.  

If you are interested in finding out more then Community Archaeology invite you to come along to one of the consultation workshops they have organised at the end of January.  If you would like to come along, please RSVP as soon as possible to this email, or via phone on 0115 977 2160.  Places are limited and will be on first-come-first-served basis.

Saturday 21st January - Beckingham Willow Works

Daytime session

9.30am - 10.15  Arrival and coffee

10.15  Presentation and explanation of the project.

11.00  Coffee break

11.20  Workshop and ideas session

1.00pm  Lunch (buffet provided) and time for discussion

2.00pm  Finish

If you would like to come along but can't make it on Saturday, they have 2 further sessions; 

Wednesday 25th January - Norwell Village Hall

Evening Session

6.30pm - 7.15  Arrival, coffee and buffet.

7.15  Presentation and explanation of the project.

8.00  Coffee break

8.15  Workshop and ideas session

9.00  Finish

Monday 30th January - Farndon Memorial Hall

Daytime session

9.30am - 10.15  Arrival and coffee

10.15  Presentation and explanation of the project.

11.00  Coffee break

11.20  Workshop and ideas session

13.00pm  Lunch (buffet provided) and time for discussion

14.00  Finish

Hope to see some of you there

All the best

Emily/Community Archaeologist

Course - Trent Vale Oral History (Newark/Beckingham)

Interested in Oral History?  In the new year there are two Oral History Workshops for individuals and community groups, arranged through the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership.  The course is free and all are welcome, but you will need to book.

 The courses will be delivered by Colin Hyde from the East Midlands Oral History Archive (EMOHA). Dates/locations are:

Tuesday 1^st May 2012, Harthill Room, British Waterways Building, Newark 10am to 4pm

Thursday 14^th June 2012, Beckingham Willow Works, Meeting Room 10am to 4pm

(times to be fully confirmed).

  There is space for around 12 people per course. It will cover the following:

• Setting up a project, why? How?
• Linking with local resources, museums and collections
• Contacting interviewees
• Developing subjects
• Developing questions
• Conducting interviews – process and structure
• Recording, managing and storing information
• Where to go from there…

Groups or individuals who have recording equipment can bring that along too and use of these can be included in the workshop.

If you want to come along please can you book with Helen Keating;

07884 392429, helen.keating@britishwaterways.co.uk

Via Community Archaeology e-mail

News - £400,000 Beckingham Willow Works project finally opens

A PERSONAL triumph for two campaigners was marked with the official opening of the £400,000 Beckingham Willow Works project.

And tributes were paid to the drive and dedication of Brian Suart and Colin Gibson – as they shared the honour of performing the ceremony.

Clerk Mr Gibson and chairman Mr Suart spearheaded a six-year initiative led by Beckingham-cum-Saundby Parish Council to save the derelict unique building from collapse.

But they shared the privilege of seeing the 120-year-old Gales Barn – to give it the correct title – restored to an active role amid the Beckingham Marshes along Old Trent Road on the River Trent flood plain.

And for both men the occasion was both emotional and satisfying as a multi-agency programme reached completion.

But they never imagined that the only remaining building of its type in the country would be transformed into a modern community and heritage facility.

“Without Colin and I’s teamwork this just wouldn’t have happened,” said Mr Suart.

“It looked like it was all going to stall at one stage, but we succeeded in the end.”

And Mr Gibson acknowledged that the end result was a triumph over adversity.

“We were always hopeful, but it’s remarkable that what we wanted to see in the future has actually been achieved,” he said.

Funding for the major project came from a variety of sources such as WREN, the Heritage Lottery Fund, STAR Energy, Environment Agency, Nottinghamshire County Council, Groundwork and Beckingham-cum-Saundby Parish Council.

Willow works’ owners Groundwork Creswell, Ashfield & Mansfield already have tenants – with the £1.6m Heritage Lottery-funded Trent Vale Landscape Partnership moving in.

The venue now houses exhibition and training rooms, a function room, office space and a permanent ‘home’ for the Beckingham Local History Group.

It spokesman Chris du Feu said: “After six years of hard work and many setbacks it is wonderful to see this unique building restored.

“The standard of refurbishment is much higher than originally envisaged and, along with the community garden and adjacent RSPB Beckingham marshes reserve, it presents wonderful opportunities for environmental education and heritage activities.

“Well done to all concerned – this will prove to be a regional treasure.”

RSPB Beckingham Marshes’ site manager Michael Copleston said the charity was excited about the renovation.

“We will be using this building as part of our project to make the marshes a better environment for a wide variety of wildlife,” he said.

Groundwork chairman Jim Mould described Mr Gibson and Mr Suart as ‘pillars of the local community’.

He said: “We are proud that 10 young people were employed through the Future Jobs Fund to carry out the work – and three have gone on to permanent employment.”

From: http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/400-000-Beckingham-Willow-Works-project-finally/story-13572937-detail/story.html

Event - Traditional skills and local history on Saturday at Beckingham Willow Works

The Beckingham Local History Society is organising an open day this Saturday 8th October from 11am – 4pm at the Willow Works in Beckingham near Gainsborough.

All sorts of traditional skills will be showcased including Ray Lister making willow baskets; Alison Walling making a willow sculpture; renowned Rodney Cousins, author of ‘A Basketfull’, will bring a range of displays and artefacts; cane chair repairs demonstration; and the Beckingham Local History Group will have displays of images and artefacts. There will also be a raffle and light refreshments. Please come along with your families and friends to support the Groups first event since the restoration of the beautiful heritage building – the Willow Works.

For more information please contact Freda Proudley on 01427 848226, freda_proudley@btinternet.com

From: http://trentvale.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/traditional-skills-and-local-history-on-saturday-at-beckingham-willow-works/

Event - Willow Works Community Open Day (Beckingham)

The Willow Works is an exciting newly-refurbished community facility and historic willow weaving building set in the village of Beckingham, near Gainsborough.

Restored as part of the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership, the local heritage group would like to invite you to an open day to give you the opportunity to look around this unique heritage building:

When: 10 September, 11 – 4.

Where: The Willow Works, Old Trent Road, Beckingham, DN10 4PY

What: Free BBQ & refreshments, children’s activities, willow working demonstration, Trent Vale exhibition, future plans for landscaped community garden and much more…

From: http://trentvale.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/willow-works-community-open-day/

News - Unique six-month work experience initiative for unemployed (Beckingham)

EIGHT young Bassetlaw men have swapped the dole queue for a six-month opportunity to learn new skills on a rural restoration project.

They are getting to grips with building work, painting and decorating as part of the renovation of the Beckingham Willow Works.

And the unique work experience initiative is being co-ordinated as one of the final schemes run by the Government's Future Jobs Fund programme – which ends on March 31.

The jobless 19 to 24-year-olds have each been unemployed for at least six months.

They are involved in the restoration of the century-old building, which is being trans- formed into a community heritage centre.

Turning back the clock at Beckingham Willow Works is a major part of the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership programme launched a year ago.

It is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Star Energy, Nottingham shire County Council and the Environment Agency.

The building will also host an exhibition about the former willow industry and create office space, meeting rooms and function rooms with full welfare facilities.

And the workforce is being provided by contractors Crestra Ltd through Groundwork Creswell, Ashfield and Mansfield – which has taken ownership of the building on behalf of the community.

Trent Vale Landscape Partnership secured £1.6 million funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in January last year, for a three-year period to conserve, enhance and celebrate the cultural identity of the Trent Vale between Newark and Gainsborough.

From: http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Unique-work-experience-initiative-unemployed/article-3235271-detail/article.html