Community, Craft and Connection: Reawakening Heritage Craft Skills
By Chrissie Van Mierlo
While most people are now aware of extensive refurbishment works happening at St Mary’s (the large-scale scaffolding gives it away!) what may be less obvious is the amount of involvement from local schools, colleges and universities behind the scenes.
Students from Communications University China and Nottingham Trent climbing the scaffolding
One of the most exciting elements of the project is the opportunities afforded to young people on site. These works offer a once in a lifetime (probably several lifetimes!) chance to work up close with centuries-old built heritage. From the start, local Further Education colleges were involved, taking part in site visits before the contractors started work in earnest. For the past six months, students from construction programmes at Newark College have undertaken regular work experience on site.
In the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen an exciting variety of new work experience placements as well.
A group of students who are taking place in an exchange programme between Communications University China and Nottingham Trent University climbed the scaffolding last week to record a hard hat tour of the building works. They have captured amazing footage of the high-level works, which will ultimately be made available to the public, capturing the reawakening of the church for posterity. The students have also captured footage of our busy programme of community engagement events like Socks, Swaps and Smocks and Streets Ahead.
Students from Communications University China and Nottingham Trent filming at a recent family-friendly event at the National Civil War Centre
Over the next two weeks, we’ll be joined by Anna Vlassova-Longworth. Anna is part of the prestigious King’s Foundation Building Arts Programme, which aims to inspire a future generation of artists, craftspeople, designers and makers with professional work experience to broaden their skillset. Anna will be honing her skills on several woodworking elements, supported by the professionals on site.
Anna Vlassova-Longworth demonstrating her skills
Yesterday, Brooke Staley visited site as part of her work experience. She is a student at Derby High School with an interest in history and religious studies, which she has been studying at GCSE. She especially enjoyed visiting the Treasury and looking at the chalice that is associated with King Charles I. Brooke hasn’t decided on a future career yet, but she is interested in architecture and potentially in working in churches.
Student, Brooke Staley taking a closer look at out Victorian flooring
We hope all the young people who work on the project are equally inspired and carry what they have learned into their futures!