Today,
Valise Noire Storytelling Theatre has received £10,000 from the
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project, Poppy Fields, based in
Poole. Awarded through HLF’s First World War: then and now
programme, the project will focus on the creation of thousands of
poppies made out of paper and wire to be included in site specific
performances and shown in exhibitions telling local stories seen
through the eyes of two First World War nurses, performed by Michele
O'Brien and Hazel Evans.
To
mark the Centenary of the First World War, the project will enable
local people in
Poole and Bournemouth to come together to preserve the memories and
heritage of the people who lived through the First World War.
Research will be carried out to inform the performances which will be
shared with schools and the public and volunteers will collect
photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of
keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down to help them build a
clear picture of what life was really like.
A
reminiscence project about the heritage of the people of Bournemouth
and Poole in 1914, in partnership with the Bournemouth and Poole
Cultural Hub, the project includes storytelling and creative writing,
drama and performances by Valise Noire, and researching individual
stories. The activities will lead up to a special concert by the
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra on 15th October at the Lighthouse. A
stunning backdrop of poppies will be created by children and young
people across Bournemouth and Poole.
Michele
O'Brien and Hazel Evans from Valise Noire, will gather information
which will be used to create site specific interpretations and a
three day pilgrimage. Through research women and children that worked
in the war will be acknowledged and Valise Noire will investigate the
connection between the arms manufacturing at the Cordite Factory in
Poole, the soldiers using the arms and the nurses nursing the
consequences of their use. The project will be fully documented
resulting in an exhibition with a full installation of all the
poppies created in workshops and by the public, launched to coincide
with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Commemorative concert on
15th October. The general public will be encouraged to contribute
through open public workshops, and invited to bring photographs and
memorabilia connected to their relatives.
Poppy
Fields is a Valise Noire project In partnership with The Heritage Lottery Fund, Bournemouth and Poole Cultural Hub, Borough of Poole, Lighthouse Poole’s Centre for the Arts, Wave Arts Education Agency, Activate Performing Arts, The Arts University Bournemouth and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Commenting
on the award, Michele O'Brien and Hazel Evans from Valise Noire,
said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage
Lottery Fund and to realise our vision to create a stunning
contemporary interpretation of heritage stories through interactive
performance and visual arts.”
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using
money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund
(HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and
communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage
economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology,
natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part
of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 36,000 projects
with more than £6bn across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk.
Follow
us on twitter @heritagelottery #understandingWW1
HLF-funded
First World War projects include:
First
World War Centenary Project, IWM London
An
HLF grant of £4.5m is transforming IWM London (part of Imperial War
Museums) by creating new ground-breaking First World War Galleries.
Flintham
Society – Keeping the Home Fires Burning?
Keep
the Homes Fires Burning?
is a community
history project looking at the impact of the First World War on life
in the Nottinghamshire village of Flintham.
Tank
Museum – Access all Areas, Dorset
Holding
the world’s finest tank and armoured vehicle collection, The Tank
Museum is a popular visitor attraction in the heart of Dorset. HLF’s
grant is being used to house 130 ‘at risk’ vehicles, putting the
entire collection indoors for the first time.
Through
its First
World War: then and now programme,
HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years
until 2019. It will provide grants between £3,000 and £10,000
enabling communities and groups right across the UK to explore,
conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their
understanding of the impact of the conflict.
To
find out how to apply for funding visit www.hlf.org.uk/thenandnow.
If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War
project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes
www.hlf.org.uk/firstworldwar
UK Government
Centenary plans
In June 2013, the
Government set out its plans to mark the centenaries of the First
World War commencing in 2014. These plans include a £35m
refurbishment of the First World War galleries at the Imperial War
Museum (IWM); The Government’s principal partners in the
commemorations will be the Heritage Lottery Fund and the IWM, but
will encompass support for a multitude of other initiatives, large
and small, as they come together in the months and years to come.
For
further information, images and interviews, please contact
For
schools and libraries information please contact:
Poppy
Fields Cultural Hub Project Manager
Helen
Donaldson 07967609744
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
poppyfields@lighthousepoole.co.uk
For
Performances and Exhibitions please contact:
Valise
Noire Directors
Michele
O'Brien 07977 969 080
Hazel
Evans 07922 862 605
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