Our Basildon Pilot Project
"For me it is very simple - Basildon is my home."
Angela Smith MP
"On a car journey around town I am pleased to see how many green places we pass. I have lived in other places where this is not the case and I am grateful I now live in Basildon."
Sue Randle, Secretary of CHASE
In the summer of 2006 Vin Harrop, chairman of the Foundation for Essex Arts wrote to the 37 Primary Schools in Basildon inviting them to take part in a pilot heritage project to create a Trail around Basildon. The project included:
A photographic element involving a group of children in each school who would be able to learn about digital photography and have a chance to take pictures using digital cameras provided by the project team. The children would also contribute to an exhibition in their school and prizes would be awarded for the best pictures. A professional photographer, (Bob Fisher) would manage this strand.
A story writing competition which would be set by Frances Clamp, a local historian based around features of the new Heritage Trail. Both Frances and Bob are retired teachers.
Five primary schools agreed to take part, identifying Year 5 pupils (10-11 years) as being the most suitable group with which to work. The primary schools were: Bardfield , Cherry Tree, Laindon Park, St Anne Line RC and Pitsea.
Frances and Bob visited the schools in autumn 2006 and 5 visits were then planned to take place in the Easter and Summer Terms of 2007. During the first three visits Frances helped pupils with their writing and told them stories of how she had worked as a local historian while Bob took classes of children for the following activities – often split into small groups to allow full use of equipment:
The history of photography and how a digital camera works (handouts and explanations of technical terms)
An initial school based project to provide a pictorial account of each school - presentations with help on composition, avoiding pitfalls and considerations for a photographic exhibition
A trial walk around a section of the Trail (usually 1 km) near the school with opportunities to take pictures
Taking pictures of points on the Trail with the children for later printing and evaluation with their teachers
Frances and Vin also came on the visits providing a historical background and helping with photography generally.
In the summer of 2007 each school set up their own exhibition with over 50 photographs on display and along with Frances, Vin and Bob helped to judge the best 1st,2nd and 3rd entries. Stories were similarly judged and finally an overall winner for best story and photograph was judged. Winners of stories and photographs were invited to a special ceremony in Eastgate Shopping Centre, Basildon in July 2007 when Hans Wusterfeld (General Manager) gave out prizes and their entries were displayed. Overall Winner prizes were presented at Bardfield School in December 2007.
The schools collectively went on to win the Under 16 Green Business Forum ‘Art Challenge’ Award in May 2008.
The schools, their teachers and staff were unstinting in the help and support they provided and we sincerely appreciate the pioneering role they and all the children played in helping to plot the Our Basildon Heritage Trail.
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| Councillor Jowers (2nd from left) presents overall prizes at Bardfield School in December 2007 | Prize winners (Stories and photos) meet at the Eastgate Centre in July 2007 to receive prizes from Hans Wusterfeld (centre) |
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| Children from Bardfield School evaluate photos Jan 2007 | St Anne Line photographing the Trail in May 2007 |
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| Overall Photographic Winner, Callum Smith of Bardfield | Vin and Frances talk to Laindon Park pupils as they walk through Gloucester Park in May 2007 |
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| Pitsea School children learn to use a tripod on the Trail June 2007 | Pitsea School children explain their project to a class March 2007 |