12 April – 30 May 2019, all day, at West Bridgford Library. Simply turn up and take part. We look forward to seeing you!
How do you bring archive materials, 120 school children, 50 adults, a story teller, an artist and an archaeologist together in one project? FOOD! Exploring the heritage of recipes unearthed in Nottinghamshire Archives, a celebration of food stories, past and present have become a sea of tea towels showcasing creative responses to this HLF Shared Heritage project.
Home Cooked Heritage is Heritage Lottery Funded programme that has seen children and adults creatively explore the theme. The exhibition of archive materials and contemporary responses is touring library galleries and will then be added back into Nottinghamshire Archives for future food historians to uncover.
Nottinghamshire Archives is a fabulous resource open to the public and holding over 4 million documents waiting to be discovered.
We have been delighted to work with James Wright FSA, Clare Taylor and Nicky Rafferty on this Heritage lottery project alongside Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy and Greenwood Primary and Nursery School.
James Wright FSA, an archaeologist currently studying for a doctorate at the University of Nottingham. With over twenty years of experience, he has published two books and a string of popular and academic articles. James teaches and makes regular appearances for the BBC talking about history, archaeology and folklore. He also acted as a consultant for Channel 4‘s Time Team.
James worked with the Archivists, using the heritage documents, to bring the history of food prepared in both humble and privileged settings to life. He brought understanding of the ways that the form of buildings influences and is influenced by function, and how this changes over time, to the project. This knowledge underpinned the stories of how places as varied as grand stately kitchens, castles, wartime homes, and school canteens have produced the incredibly varied range of edible creations specific to their time and place.
Nicky Rafferty trained as an actor and has worked as a performance storyteller for over 20 years. Her work includes family story walks and storytelling workshops and events for clients including The National Trust & Nottingham Contemporary. Nicky brought the stories and characters found in the archives to life helping our participants see their place in the history uncovered and in their own food stories of today.
Clare Taylor a freelance artist educator, known as Curious Clare – Bus and Bird Arts, champions learning and creativity within communities by providing tailor made creative experiences for a broad spectrum of learners. An experienced community co-ordinator, Clare has designed & delivered bespoke creative learning sessions for a broad spectrum of learners. Clare has lots of experience of working with heritage and used this experience and her creativity to get the best from our participants.