Suitcases travel around Cornish landmarks

Through oral history interviews, workshops, digital storytelling, memory days, and community celebrations, the project will explore, document and celebrate heritage landmarks and their place within the community. It will focus on six landmarks and the communities in which they are situated; Carn Euny in Sancreed, Treffry Viaduct in Luxulyan, Carn Grey near St.Austell, Dupath Well near Callington and the bridge and Trevanion Culverhouse in Wadebridge.

‘Landmark Travels- Our past in a suitcase’ is a partnership project involving Storylines, the Institute of Cornish Studies, based at the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus and the Cornwall Heritage Trust, allowing it to work with people of all ages, using a range of approaches.

The Institute of Cornish Studies will lead the academic strand of the project, running a series of study days in communities, as well as involving a group of students from the University of Exeter and Falmouth University. Dr Garry Tregidga, Director of the Institute of Cornish Studies said: “We are excited to have a number of academics, including archaeologists, oral historians and photographic historians, involved with the delivery of these workshops. This will enable us to link the study of oral tradition to additional sources like maps, written texts, photographs and archaeological evidence so that communities can build up a wider picture of their community through time.”

The specially designed suitcases, along with some new ones, will continue to travel between schools and communities, who will work with the Storylines team to record their knowledge, ideas and experiences. This will include the creation of a series of digital stories, which will link short audio clips taken from oral history interviews, with images.

Sarah Chapman of Storylines said:“By creating these digital stories and working creatively, we are able to share people’s memories and knowledge widely, both online and in workshops and screenings. This approach is something we have found works extremely well, helping to make our heritage more accessible and engaging all generations with the past, and each other.”

Children involved will get the chance to visit local landmarks and, with the help of the mystery contents of the suitcase, will respond creatively using a range of techniques. These will include storytelling, sculpture, painting, movement, digital media, and poetry. At the end of each workshop, children’s responses will be folded, posted and attached to the inside of the old suitcases, which will then travel to the next school to inspire more young people to carry on this important work.

A Trustee of the Cornwall Heritage Trust, Lamorna Spry said:“This project is a wonderful opportunity for us to inspire young people and local communities to help us protect our unique Cornish heritage.’

‘Landmark Travels’ will culminate in celebratory events in the five project areas, and the resources created through the project will be made accessible to a range of audiences, both on and offline.  The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Cornwall Heritage Trust.

The project is looking for people who are interested in exploring Cornish landmarks, to find out more please email.