Freshwater and Totland Archive Group has received an Awards for All lottery grant of £8,977 to commemorate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The grant will fund a half-year exhibition of artefacts and pictures commemorating the accession, reign, and local contacts with Queen Elizabeth and her children.
The exhibition will also celebrate the unique local tradition of annual local carnivals and carnival queens dating back to the 1880s Jubilee for Queen Victoria.
Cllr John Medland says:
“The grant is for a public exhibition in the West Wight Heritage Centre, plus primary school visits, oral history recording sessions, guided reminiscence walks of the area and outreach materials for local dementia groups, potential slideshows, and primary children school visits. The grant will also match fund the publication of a drafted book on the history of the Parish of Totland.”
There is currently a display of photographs at the Heritage Centre commemorating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Coronation features in many; some depict the royal visits to the Island, whilst the rooms are bedecked with colourful bunting and flags. There are also images of local Carnival Queens from the 1950s. The Heritage Centre is open weekday mornings (except Tuesdays) from 10:00 to 12:00.
The Freshwater & Totland Archive Group and West Wight Heritage Centre are appealing for more volunteers to continue the work of conserving the wonderful history of the area and enable the community to share this valuable resource. Anyone wishing to volunteer can email [email protected] or telephone 01983 759353.
