Archive for October 27th, 2011

Heritage Explorer plays key role in local history project

October 27th, 2011

The Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham

The role of English Heritage’s Heritage Explorer website has been highlighted in an exceptional case study for local history details of which are given in the Autumn 2011 issue of ‘Primary History’.

As part of a highly creative project, Year 6 pupils at the Catholic School of St Gregory the Great, in Cheltenham searched the Heritage Explorer website to find photos and information about buildings, people, transport and clothing.

Experts from English Heritage and Gloucestershire Archives helped them research the history of their area. The pupils’  teacher Charlotte Blanch set up an intriguing scenario in which she became a Tourist Board manager and pupils took on the role of the experts.

Project results were classed as “outstanding” by Ofsted. The case study (written by Charlotte Blanch and English Heritage Education Officer Catherine McHarg) and full lesson plan are featured in the autumn edition of ‘Primary History’, published by The Historical Association.

FREE LEARNING RESOURCES

Heritage Explorer contains over 9,000 downloadable images and activities for learning. They can be searched by historic period, building type and theme. All the material is free to use and copyright-cleared.

Photograph © Copyright Pauline Eccles and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Condividi

Social Share Button

No comments »

Posted in News Desk

Tags:

An event that should have been held in North Staffordshire!

October 27th, 2011

Around 70 senior executives attended a CBI lunch hosted by Staffordshire University at Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens.

The main speaker was Lucy Armstrong, Chair of CBI SME Council and Chief Executive of the Alchemists.

The theme of Lucy’s talk was Universities and Business and how to engage SMEs more actively with Universities.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Paul Richards said: ”This was a first class event and directly relevant to the audience of business leaders and those attending from Midlands Universities. We were delighted to join forces with the CBI in hosting the lunch and hope to make it an annual event.”

The Phoenix Trust believes this was an event that should have been held in North Staffordshire and calls upon Staffordshire University’s Vice Chancellor to give an undertaking that if the lunch becomes an annual event it will be held here.

 

Condividi

Social Share Button

No comments »

Posted in News Desk

Tags:

Birmingham – The “Creative City” in the heart of the Midlands

October 27th, 2011

Birmingham – the creative city

Ed Vaizey welcomes the public-private partnership for the creative industries in Greater Birmingham and Solihull.

Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey today urged West Midlands business leaders to invest in the creative industries as part of ambitious plans to boost the economy of Greater Birmingham and Solihull.

The Creative City initiative, led by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, aims to stimulate investment by:

  • Creating a fund to build on existing public sector funding of the arts through loans, grants, match-funding and investments. The allocation of funds will be based on the potential for job creation and economic growth.
  • Outlining the vision for a new ‘museum quarter’, including a new museum of photography and the development of a new contemporary art gallery.
  • Exploring ways to unlock private sector and philanthropic support for culture, linking cultural development to wider economic growth.

Creative industries: a driver for growth

At the launch, Ed Vaizey welcomed the initiative, forecasting that it “will bring the support and enthusiasm of the private sector and the cultural public sector into a closer partnership”. He added “What is new here is the commitment of the LEP to integrate culture and the creative industries into its economic strategy, in partnership with the City Council and Birmingham’s cultural organisations.”

Andy Street, Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, laid out the vision: “We want to create an environment which attracts businesses to invest here and existing ones to grow. Having a world-class cultural and creative offer is key to achieving this. Creative City is about building on all the assets that currently exist and multiplying the effect of our investments by working together.”

Birmingham already has an impressive cultural and creative sector, including the UK’s busiest theatre and a world-class orchestra, and ballet and opera companies. One million visitors pass through the doors of its museums, placing them in the top 40 in the world. In 2008-9, Birmingham’s arts sector contributed £271m to the local economy.

Photograph Crown Copyright/dcms

 

Condividi

Social Share Button

No comments »

Posted in News Desk, Uncategorized

Tags:

Will you accept the challenge to ride the Dragon’s back?

October 27th, 2011

Chrome Hill

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has issued a challenge to walkers and asks if they have got what it takes to “ride” the Dragon’s back?

If you have, then join experienced walk leader John Mills for a seven-and-a-half mile round trek from Longnor to Hollinsclough on Sunday week (November 6th).

Walkers should meet John at 10.30am in Longnor Market Place for an adventure that will tackle the Dragon’s Back between the two villages, as well as ascending the challenging Chrome Hill.

Glutton Bridge will be visited en route while valley footpaths back to Longnor will also be explored. An alternative route will be available for participants not wishing to climb Chrome Hill.

The jaunt is the latest in a series of Outside, Active and Healthy walks organised by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

Cllr Mark Deaville, portfolio holder for leisure, sport, parks and countryside, said: “Here’s a real opportunity to set the pulse racing – not only by tackling a couple of serious climbs but also by admiring some of our finest countryside”.

Walkers should bring suitable clothing and a packed lunch. There is free parking in Market Place.

Photograph © Copyright Ian Capper and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Condividi

Social Share Button

No comments »

Posted in Uncategorized, What's On - Dates For Your Diary

Tags: