Doors Open at 'Our Place, Your Place: Taunton'

Monday, 15 February 2010 10:33

The first person through the door on Monday 8 Feb was Gerald Morse, great grandson of the renowned one armed postman, Jimmy Morse, who made deliveries in Taunton and Lyng for 32 years and whose picture features in the exhibition.

The aim of ‘Our Place, Your Place: Taunton’ is to bring residents together to learn about the town’s past, present and future - local people can learn about Taunton’s history as well as finding out about future regeneration plans. The project is located at 7/8 High Street, next to Past Times in what was previously Peter Briggs shoe shop.

Members of the public can visit the shop and get involved with activities until 20 Mar. A launch of the project for press and partners takes place this Friday, 12 Feb at 11am when the six week programme of activities and events will be showcased and the commitment of local volunteers and organisations celebrated.

Project Lead, Jan Horrell, said: “We’ve had a fantastic first week and have been delighted to see so many people coming to the shop. It’s great to see hear people’s memories of what Taunton used to be like and the exhibition of artefacts has generated lots of interest. The plans for the town’s regeneration have also attracted a lot of attention and we’re looking forward to the BBC’s broadcast for a History of the World on 25 Feb.”

Events Calendar

• Week 1: Monday 8 - Saturday 13 February
  Share your memories of Taunton.
• Week 2: Monday 15 - Saturday 20 February
  Half-term family activities.
• Week 3: Monday 22 - Saturday 27 February
  Learn more about Taunton's history and heritage. A week long series of events are being planned for Heritage Week, talks are scheduled every day from 1-2pm and the BBC's A History of the World campaign will be broadcasting from the shop on Thursday 25 February.
• Week 4: Monday 1 - Saturday 6 March
  Explore green and environmentally friendly issues that affect Taunton.
• Week 5: Monday 8 - Saturday 13 March
  Taunton is changing, what are you thoughts. Talks, town walks and feedback session for members of the public.
• Week 6: Monday 15 - Saturday 20 March
  How can you be involved in heritage projects in Taunton?

 

‘Our Place, Your Place: Taunton’ is one of just two ground-breaking pilot schemes in the UK (the other is in Blackburn). They are focused on bringing new vitality to town centres by developing learning venues in empty shops and getting local people engaged with regeneration through fun and creative learning. A full programme of activities is planned for the project’s six week duration, including lively talks, colourful exhibitions and fun events. The findings from the Taunton pilot will be used to influence similar programmes across the country in the future.

‘Our Place, Your Place: Taunton’ is part of the Museums, Libraries and Archives (MLA) Council Our Places project funded by the Transformation Fund.

The two main partners involved in ‘Our Place, Your Place: Taunton’, Project Taunton, the team responsible for the regeneration of the town centre and Somerset Heritage Services are supported by Taunton Deane Borough Council. Associated partners include Somerset Skills for Learning, Thrive (a celebratory arts organisation for Somerset), Somerset Waterways Development Trust, the Genesis Centre and Transition Town Taunton.

To find out more about ‘Our Place, Your Place: Taunton’ visit www.projecttaunton.co.uk/taunton-now/our-place-your-place.html or contact Project Lead, Jan Horrell on 07825 978820 or JHorrell@somerset.gov.uk

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