Page 6 - Barnsley Museums Annual Review 2018-2019

Barnsley Making History
Barnsley Museums and our volunteers
work to transform how our communities understand, engage with and get inspired by their heritage. We’re proud to support all the passionate people who work in partnership with us to do this now and into the future.
Alongside the Experience Barnsley exhibition The Great War Ends, a varied programme was created to commemorate, engage and foster a sense of pride. Paul Reed, leading WW1 broadcaster ran a fascinating trilogy of lectures which offered a unique insight into the conflict. Paul wove local Barnsley stories into his talks, including the experiences of women and black soldiers, often omitted from the historic record.
Rare permission was gained to show the
last episode of Blackadder Goes Forth.
An expert panel, including poet Ian McMillan, explored satire in the cultural expression of war. Rare and moving silent footage of Barnsley during the conflict was also shown. Working with a local artist, visitors to Experience Barnsley made felt poppies which were
made into wreaths and presented at the
War Memorial by local children descended from WW1 soldiers.
Barnsley Archives popular outreach programme has included film shows, conservation workshops, family history surgeries, archives on tour events and hands on history days. Such was the popularity of our film shows that we produced a series of accompanying DVDs.
Two new projects are helping us to collect diverse local stories. The Barnsley Cares programme consists of weekly workshops in care homes and with support groups,
I love this group. I can be myself when I come here. Thank you.”
Irene,
Participant in Barnsley Cares programme
collecting participants’ stories including holidays, shopping, sport, home life, work
life and memories of a lifetime. Feels like Home brings together refugees and asylum seekers who have come to Barnsley from many different countries. As well as learning English, the group are getting to know more about Barnsley, its heritage and stories, and sharing their own memories and experiences with us.
In Elsecar, as part of our Great Place and Elsecar Heritage Action Zone projects, an archaeological excavation took place in Milton, Hoyland. The site was once Milton Ironworks, a significant but largely forgotten part of the local heritage. The excavation has added valuable archaeological information to the site but more importantly has allowed the local community including schools to connect with their heritage.
The Dearne Valley Landscape Partnership has continued to contribute hugely to community engagement and environmental programme supporting works at Barnsley Main, Hoyland Lowe Stand and Worsbrough Mill. Goldthorpe Cuttings, once dubbed the worst fly tipped place in England, has now been transformed with our partners into
a community space for school visits and events. An accessible path has been laid and wildlife features have been created along it, as well as a community orchard. A memorial to two boys who lost their lives on the site during the miners’ strike has been created with local artists.