Your Heritage programme
Grant awarded £46,000
The project enhanced and improved access to a disused section of the first Lancashire rail line to be built by George Stephenson. In addition to including some original railway bridges and signage, since its closure, the line has also become a site of natural heritage.
Working alongside a Project Worker, members of the local community were involved in a range of activities. These include an intergenerational learning project linking young people with former railway workers to produce art work and a leaflet of memories of the railway; a model railway exhibition and a railway heritage and wildlife trail.
The Project Worker formed a partnership with local authority Education Outreach Officer and primary school Head Teachers to produce heritage learning packs linked to the National Curriculum. Interpretation panels have been installed in the railway corridor to include information on the natural features and historical facts. School pupils and families were involved in planning the heritage trail and in the design of a wildlife leaflet and interpretation panels.
Great Lever is an area of relatively low income and high crime. The area has been identified as Bolton borough’s Fairshare regeneration target area. The project, which was run by Great Lever Neighbourhood Management Partnership, has brought Great Lever residents together and provided increased opportunities for participation and ownership. Local groups have been closely consulted and encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the project, enabling local people to develop existing skills and also to build new ones.
18/10/07