News / Arts
Wapping Wharf heritage project lottery grant
Travelling Light Theatre Company, Bristol Old Vic and Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives have received £22,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards their joint Wapping Wharf project.
Led by a team of professionals from Bristol’s theatre, heritage, arts and culture sectors, the project will focus on the heritage of the Wapping Wharf site as it undergoes development.
The project, also in part funded by developer Umberslade, will enable local young people to discover the origins and explore the history of Wapping Wharf, particularly focusing on the stories of the New Bristol Gaol, part of which still stands on the site.
Young people will use theatre to tell the stories from the area – such as that of Hanham teenager John Horwood, the first man to be executed at the Gaol in 1821.
Travelling Light has 30 years’ experience of working with children and young people. The company uses theatre as a tool to build confidence, encourage self-expression, fire imaginations and challenge critical thinking. The Wapping Wharf project will allow their youth theatre arm to collaborate with Bristol Old Vic Young Company for the first time.
Working together with Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives, the project will engage up to 60 young participants aged 11 to 20 including students from Hanham Woods Academy.
The research compiled by young people will be drawn together into a new play written by Mike Akers, which will be performed by a cast of young people on the Wapping Wharf site in August.
Travelling Light’s Georgina Trevor said: “We are all thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. This is a fantastic opportunity for us and Bristol Old Vic Young Company to work with heritage partners to encourage young people to be inspired by the history of their city.
“Throughout the project young people will have the opportunity to become dynamic young heritage advocates, sharing their knowledge with their peers and members of the public through theatre and storytelling.”
Stuart Hatton, director of Umberslade, said, “This is a very exciting project which celebrates local history in an engaging and artistic way, mirroring what we wish to achieve with the development.
“We have part funded the project as we are keen to create a sociable, artistic and collaborative community at Wapping Wharf – and to regenerate this area of the harbourside while appreciating its historical significance.”
For more info, see www.travellinglighttheatre.org.uk and www.wappingwharf.co.uk
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