In 2019 Penny Acres and Wigley school communities were successful in securing a Heritage Fund grant to research, explore and share the histories of their communities from 1850 to 1920. Despite all the challenges presented by Covid-19, including school closures and the need to re-schedule and re-assess plans and activities, the project has reached a successful conclusion.
A wide range of activities took place, including the setting up of inter-generational research groups, training in using Ancestry and British Newspaper Archive, visits from Derbyshire Record Office, art work and creative writing.
The project culminated in both schools being awarded Heritage Schools status by Historic England.
As a result of the project, a film was made and a book produced telling the fascinating local stories uncovered by the research. The book and film are accessible below. Here are the children enjoying the books.
