Hereford Cathedral Close Project
Learning Activities
Update August 2010
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Step back in time to life during the 15th Century
As part of our Summer Events for families and children in conjunction with the BBC’s Hands On History, local medieval re-enactment group The Levy will set up a small tented village on the cathedral close this Bank Holiday Saturday, 28 August.
Wander through our medieval encampment and see knights in armour with their ladies, the medieval archer with his warbow and array of arrows, the medieval hand-gunners (did you know that gunpowder was in use as early as the 13th Century?)
If you prefer a more gentle pace of medieval life, how about trying out your dancing skills with Passamezzo Early Dance (or just watch them perform!), take a closer look at the different styles of clothing that were worn and the food that was eaten, or try your hand at brass rubbing, colouring your own illuminated letter or the fiendishly simple and compulsive medieval game of Nim at the cathedral's own stall.
And, if you are feeling really brave, then get up close and personal with our barber surgeon, Owain Leech, who will talk about and demonstrate how medieval medicine was used and how medieval surgery was performed.
Take a look at The Levy’s gallery of images on http://the-levy.org.uk, and find out more about Passamezzo Early Dance at http://passamezzoearlydance.com/ .
The Close in Art
In November 2009, sixty-six secondary and sixth-form students from different schools took part in a unique series of visual arts workshops to interpret the heritage of the cathedral close at different points in its history, and to celebrate the natural environment of the close and its surroundings.
The workshops were organised in conjunction with Hereford College of Arts, and with the kind assistance of Hereford Cathedral School. They took place in the cathedral’s College Hall and in the art department of the Cathedral School.
Each workshop used a different medium and was researched and led by an experienced art tutor from Hereford College of Arts. Under their guidance, the students used their chosen medium – print-making, textiles, ceramics, album-making, screen-printing and photography – to create striking collaborative and individual pieces of art.
These artworks were presented in a large exhibition in the cathedral, called The Close in Art, between 23rd April and 23rd May. We were delighted to be able to invite all the students, with their families, art teachers and head teachers to the opening ceremony by The Dean, accompanied by the Principal of Hereford College of Arts.
The artwork is now being used to enhance interpretation panels and printed communications during the Close Project.
The Close in Living Memory Oral History Project
This important element of Close Connections will result in the production of two DVDs in early 2011 for use in the community and in schools.
The Story So Far…
Having got this project off to an excellent start back in November, a successful and very enjoyable get-together was held in February, followed by further filmed interviews in early May. The end product, early in 2011, will be two DVDs for community and school use, documenting the story of the cathedral close in recent times – in living memory.
Participants have shared their reminiscences of the close, several bringing photographs, postcards, newspaper articles and other memorabilia along with their memories.
At the launch in a tent on the Close in November 2009, a stream of visitors called in – despite the awful weather - including young people who meet friends in the close because (in their words) it is safe, peaceful, friendly, free, and 'the most beautiful place in Hereford'. We were also visited by many families, and individual passers-by of all ages, who contributed recollections and looked at memorabilia and film clips.
Meanwhile, at the February workshop, a gentleman who had a milk-delivery round on the close as a young teenager in the late 1930s chatted to a lady who, as a little girl, had her hair cut in the hairdresser’s that had once been in the houses at the western end of the close.
A group of former telephone exchange staff re-banded to swap recollections of working life in what is now the Cathedral School’s Zimmerman Building, while a former schoolboy recalled times at St John’s Elementary School in what is now Pizza Express.
Several cathedral volunteers, on hand to help the event go smoothly, found that it was not only their contributions of time and goodwill that were much appreciated, but their memories and memorabilia as well.
Local media company, Catcher Media, which is running the project on behalf of the Cathedral, interviewed several guests at the event on film, and articles, letters and photos were scanned onto computer, all to contribute to the making of two educational DVDs about the close for use in schools and in the community.
Meanwhile, members of Herefordshire’s reminiscence organisation, Herefordshire Lore, working with the Cathedral and Catcher Media on this project, enjoyed chatting to the guests over coffee and cake, and writing down the flow of memories.
Anyone with memories of the Close, or who has family members or friends who have memories of the Close, is invited to get in touch, either with the Close Connections office on 01432 374255 or with Julia Goldsmith at Catcher Media, which is running this project on behalf of the cathedral, on 01432 277424.
Photographs: Mark Robertson
****************************************************************** APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS: ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS FROM THE CATHEDRAL CLOSE
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There is an opportunity for local amateur archaeologists and historians to get involved with processing the archeological finds on this project, where archaeology dates from mediaeval times to the 19th century.
Volunteer for half a day a week or more with us. Enjoy the opportunity to mix with like-minded people in a friendly environment. Wash and process the finds. The work will be carried out at the address below.
For more information or to discuss what will be involved, please contact:
Benedikte Ward (Ms)
Archaeological Investigations Ltd
Unit 1, Premier Business Park,
Westfields Trading Estate
Faraday Road, Hereford HR4 9NZ
01432 364 901
Photo credit: Mark Robertson
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