When I started thinking about a first project for Yesterday’s Story CIC I became overwhelmed. I have written successful grant bids and produced a lot of projects in the past, but always for someone else. Sometimes my name didn’t even appear on the bid or in a press release or evaluation. With Yesterday’s Story it is different.`This is my company, these are my projects.
Chippenham Borough Lands Charity Logo
So, I thought I would start with something I wanted to learn more about and something that would interest our local community.
When I first came across Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, I was told the story of how they came about. Queen Mary granted a Royal Charter to Chippenham in 1554. She gave Crown Land to the Borough and the money from that land was to upkeep a crossing over the River Avon, as well as pay for two MPs. Many years later this land was built on. A proposed road scheme led to the careful study of the charters and deeds relating to the Borough Lands which confirmed that the Borough Lands was a charitable trust and not property of the Council. An investigation found that the Council had unlawfully acquired the lands and so financial reparation had to be given to compensate for the loss.
What a story and one that few people seem to know. Today Chippenham Borough Lands are a place based, grant making charity with the aim of helping the people of Chippenham. They support local individuals and organisations in welfare, education, arts and community projects.
So, this is what I have chosen as our first project. With funding from Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, we are going to tell this story. We are working with the brilliant Louise Jordan, who will be creating our own Queen Mary I. She will be performing as part of Chippenham Fringe Feb, in February 2023. This is a free event and this performance will give audiences a flavour of Queen Mary I, life during her reign and Chippenham’s beginnings.
Mary Tudor was the first official Queen of England. She has always been a fascinating person to me and her story can be overshadowed by both her father and sister.
We will also be offering workshops to local schools. These will be fun, creative and based on drama games. An opportunity for children to learn about this bit of Chippenham’s past.
