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Youths explore history of Green
The history of Marsh Green is being brought
to life in a book of memories about the area.
The album, which will include photographs of important landmarks, old
school photos and pictures of young people currently living on Marsh
Green, is the end product of an intergenerational project that is
bringing the community closer together.
The ‘Memories of Marsh Green’ project has seen young people research the
area’s history, survey 40 local people and interview eight long-term
residents about their lives on the estate, using memorabilia provided by
the History Shop to jog memories of Marsh Green’s past.
The project is being run by Wigan Council Children and Young People’s
Services (CYPS) Youth Service with support from the Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust’s Arts, Libraries and Heritage Department and St. Barnabas
Church.
CYPS Youth Worker Carmel Parr says; “We did a bit of consultation before
setting up the project and found that some adults in Marsh Green fear
young people. The idea behind the intergenerational project is to help
young and old get a better understanding of each other.
“Marsh Green has changed a lot over the years. There used to be more
fields, housing was different and the Phoenix Chinese Restaurant used to
be on the land where St. Barnabas Church now stands. Most people used to
work at the mills, the slipper factory or Heinz. Many residents still
work at Heinz but the other main employers are now JJB and ASDA.
“The young people really enjoyed hearing the older people’s stories
about the past. A lot of community work has been done on Marsh Green
recently but it has tended to focus on a particular group and not
involved people of different ages. This project has broken down the
barriers and brought the community closer together.”
Copies of the ‘Memories of Marsh of Green’ book will be presented to the
libraries service and St Barnabas Church at a Lancashire Night to be
held on October 17th to celebrate the project. The evening will include
music from The Jill Fielding Band, a Hot Pot Supper, a quiz and a
display about the memories project created by local young people.
-ends-
Notes to Editors
Photo opportunities
• Young people from the Memories of Marsh Green project will be
presenting a copy of their book to History Shop staff at St Barnabas
Church on Tuesday 25th Sept at 4pm. Photographers are invited to attend
the presentation.
• Members of the press are also invited to the Lancashire night at St
Barnabas Church on October 17th. Please contact Carmel Parr on (01942)
768055 in advance to arrange a suitable time to attend.
Further information
• For further information please contact Kennedy Stewart, Young People’s
Press Officer at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, on (01942) 486927.
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