“Our children have loved the sessions and got more from them than we could have hoped for.  This project has had a real impact, especially on children who might not normally have access to something like this.”   Teacher from Kingsmoor Primary School.

 

Towards the end of last year, Black Sheep Collective delivered the Flitwick Town Trail Project with Flitwick Town Council. Black Sheep Collective worked with key stage 2 children from Kingsmoor Primary School, Honey Bees and Owl class. Both classes took part in a series of explorative workshops that centred around Flitwick High Street and Map making. Inspired by the original 1992 town centre map, pupils brought fresh creativity and new perspectives to this modern update as part of the Flitwick – A Living History community project dedicated to bringing the town’s heritage to life.

We presented the children with the opportunity to become historians, researching Flitwick, discovering perspectives and memories of the high street. They conducted interviews with teachers and family members. We captured a spectrum of memories and points of view that inspired the final map designs. We investigated what Flitwick high street was like during World War 2, in role, the children had to go around the high street using their ration books to plan their meals for a day. Learning about the past and seeing how the high street had developed over time. 

One of the most memorable moments of the project was taking the children on a trail visit to see Flitwick high street. The children had to complete a scavenger hunt that included visiting certain shops and talking to the shop owners, staff members. The children were confident and represented their school and Flitwick so well. 

All of this exploration helped the children to design their own individual maps that you will see in the exhibition today and also contributed to the final map design that was created by Katie Allen. Katie visited the children during the project which inspired their imagination and designs. Katie then collated the designs to put together the final map.  

 

Last week we took part in a fantastic evening at as Town Mayor, Cllr John Roberts joined Councillors, staff, and pupils from Kingsmoor Lower School, and their families to officially launch the new Flitwick Town Trail Map!

During the evening’s celebrations, pupils proudly received their individual Arts Award certificates in recognition of their brilliant work.

We had great feedback from the school.  “Our children have loved the sessions and got more from them than we could have hoped for.  This project has had a real impact, especially on children who might not normally have access to something like this.”   

 

A big thank you to all the local shops that were so welcoming including Flitwick Jewellers, Keech Hospice Shop and Lowe-Go’s Embroidery and Printwear.

The project was made possible thanks to funding from Central Bedfordshire Council UKSPF Cultural Fund.  

Why not pop into The Rufus Centre and explore the display in the foyer, and pick up your own copy of the colourful new map.  You can also download a copy here> https://bit.ly/3Zy5wOE.

#Flitwick #Community #Bedfordshire #LivingHistory #TownTrailMap