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Case Study - Heart of the Dragon
Your Heritage
Heart of Dragon group, Newcastle Emlyn
£49,600
12 months
Summary
In this project local people researched and celebrated Newcastle Emlyn’s history, with a particular focus on medieval times and the story that the last dragon of Wales was killed there. Though a varied programme of local history research, education programmes, publications and art and drama events the local community and schools investigated how the last dragon story fits in with the history of Newcastle Emlyn castle and the bigger picture of dragon mythology in Welsh heritage, as well as dragon stories in other countries. The project ended with an exhibition and large re-enactment and festival in 2007 celebrating the myths and history of the dragon and castle.
The aims of the project
- To research and increase awareness of Newcastle Emlyn’s history.
- To involve local people as volunteers and to inspire and strengthen communities.
- To ensure that the rich heritage of the area was not lost.
- To ‘launch’ the next chapter of the dragon story for future generations.
Benefits for heritage
- The project created a sense of local pride and raised awareness of the history of Castle Emlyn. By researching and recording the heritage of the castle, area and related dragon myths the project preserved its history for the future.
- A film of the project by was produced by a volunteer and professional crew, and CDs, books and education packs were published on the story of the dragon.
- A Story trail about Newcastle Emlyn was created in the town centre.
Benefits for people
- 345 school children from 10 schools were involved in storytelling and related events throughout 2007, and 719 people learned about local heritage through attending workshops.
- About 3000 visitors attended the two-day festival of events and performances in July 2007. Over 20 community groups, including schools, youth groups and a home for the elderly made dragons to join the procession.
- Over 1000 volunteers took part and support came from a wide cross section of Local Authority, voluntary and educational organisations.
- People involved in the project built relationships with other countries with dragon myths including Poland, Ireland and Portugal, learning new stories and promoting understanding between different cultures.
Lessons learnt
- It was challenging to bring the community together with all its diversity, and in particular, to overcome the historical and still existing Welsh/English division.
- The commitment of time and energy from the core volunteers was considerable, including convincing people of the project’s benefits and why they should get involved.
Long term benefits
- The project’s success has led to further fundraising and a second festival in 2009
- The group have plans to strengthen the European connection and use a ‘newly hatched baby dragon’ in cultural exchanges to promote the town and the story.
- For further informaiton please see the Heart of the Dragon website
The budget
| Main Project Costs |
£ |
Funding |
£ |
| Equipment/materials |
11700 |
From own organisation |
167 |
| Costs of design & production of promotional material |
4061 |
Non-cash contributions and volunteer labour |
17500 |
| Travel for staff and volunteers |
1075 |
HLF grant (74%) |
49600 |
| Freelance and short term staff support |
24180 |
Total costs |
67267 |
| Other activity and volunteer labour |
22334 |
|
|
| Contingency/inflation |
2750 |
|
|
Dragon procession through Newcastle Emlyn
Sector
Cultures and Memories
Activity
Learning