Our Queen Mary I project has come to an end. I have now handed in the evaluation form to the funders, so it is time to reflect on our very first project. It is also time to thank Queen Mary I for not only being the subject of our project, but also funding it!
For anyone who attended one of our workshops, caught one of our street theatre performances or knows the history of Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, you will know that the charity has direct links with Queen Mary I. The 1554 Royal Charter left land to Chippenham. Some of this land was built on and reparations had to be made. The money from this reparation is now given to the community of Chippenham via The Chippenham Borough Lands Charity.
When I first heard about Chippenham’s links to Queen Mary I I got quite excited. It may not be a huge story, but as our first Queen Regnant, she is an important person in our history. How lovely to discover that she has links to this little town in Wiltshire.
It has been a pleasure spreading the word about this story, helping people learn a bit about their towns history and hopefully enjoying themselves with it.
So, what next?
I want to find more stories to tell that link with local communities. I want to help people learn a bit about where they are from or where they are living. I want to help them feel pride in their town and be a little bit happier for learning about it.
I am hoping to develop a project around Wiltshire’s Working Women. I am busy talking to partners and thinking about funding for this one. It would be a county wide project, which is really exciting.
Also, have you heard about Maud Heath or about Maud Heaths Causeway? Next year will be 550 years since Maud left the money that paid for the causeway. I really want to explore this lady and tell her story. I have so many ideas.
I am also still working on the Rooted in History project for The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. It has been really enjoyable finding ways to use the archives to help people enjoy their gardens. I have learnt a lot about gardening and I’ve also had some great ideas for using the archives to inspire our lives today.
Watch this space for our next steps!
