Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this latest news. Ed
Ryde Social Heritage Group (RSHG) was announced winner of the “Most Inspirational” category at the Community Archives and Heritage Group conference in London recently.
Four members of RSHG travelled to London to attend the conference at University College and to receive the award, presented by Dr Nick Barratt, on behalf of the Group.
‘Our Industrial Heritage’
This year’s conference and AGM had the theme ‘Our Industrial Heritage’ and included a keynote speech by Tristram Hunt, MP, Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Archives and History.
There were four award winners from around the country and all four winners gave presentations to highlight their work. They were:
Most Inspirational – Ryde Social Heritage Group, Isle of Wight
Most Innovative – Six Streets, Derby
Best New Group – St Margaret’s History Society Archive Group
Best Online Group – Beyond the Point, Canvey Island, Essex
Beyond the Point, a heritage archive organisation founded and run by two teenage boys, Liam and Joe, from Canvey Island also won the overall ‘Community Archive and Heritage Group of the Year’.
“A tribute to our volunteers”
Janette Gregson, Chairman of Ryde Social Heritage Group said,
“We had a great day at the conference, it gave us a chance to network with other local history groups and with professional archivists. All the presentations were very interesting and we got lots of new ideas.
“Winning the award for ‘Most Inspirational’ Group is a tribute to our volunteers who devote so much time and effort to the group’s activities and to our membership for the continuing support and encouragement they give us. It was a pleasure to accept the award on behalf of the whole group.
“The judges particularly praised the way we had engaged with children and this refers to the educational material RSHG has produced and the support we give to schools visiting Ryde Cemetery for their lessons. With the educational resources a primary school class can spend the whole day at the cemetery and have a fun day of learning not only about the history and the people buried there but also nature studies, art, maths and orienteering skills.
“We also received compliments on our “Ryde in Miniature” exhibition last year when we used dolls houses and models to show buildings from Ryde’s past.
“We are always trying to think up new ways to engage people with Ryde’s rich history, our exhibitions, Open Days and Character Walks are very popular and there is always an element of fun at all our events. Receiving this national award is confirmation that we are getting things right and it will spur us on to even bigger and better things in the future.”
What is the The Community Archives and Heritage Group?
The Community Archives and Heritage Group (CAHG) is a national group which aims to support and promote community archives in the UK and Ireland, bringing together bodies and organisations concerned with Community Archives, and provide a forum for the regular exchange of views and information.
2013 was the seventh annual conference of CAHG and the second year of the annual Community Archive and Heritage Awards awarded to celebrate the importance of community archives and heritage.
Image: CAHG/RSHG
