ROUTED: My Barnsley 'snapshot' memories wanted for exhibition and trail

Routed In Barnsley: Stories from the town centre

The so-called Routed project has so far seen artist partnership Lenny and Whale distributing single-use cameras and asking people to take a series of photographs titled My Barnsley.

They have been interviewing and taking photographs of people who work and live in the town centre and are now asking for stories, memories and photographs of interesting experiences and recollections about living, working and socialising there.

They will feature online – on the official website at www.routedinbarnsley.co.uk – and in a Routed exhibition at Experience Barnsley Museum, in the Town Hall, in October 2021.

Up-to ten heritage based stories will also be chosen as the inspiration for a creative art based trail that will be installed around the town centre for people to explore.

TELL YOUR STORY: Contribute your memories of Barnsley town centre by emailing [email protected], on WhatsApp text the project at 07985 185519 or visit www.routedinbarnsley.co.uk.

Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, which helps to raise funds and awareness for the town’s five museums of Experience Barnsley, Cooper Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Cannon Hall and Worsbrough Mill, today expressed its delighted to have received funding for the Routed project from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

It says thanks to National Lottery players, the project will provide a fantastic opportunity for people in the town who do not normally engage in heritage activity and visit the museum to do so.

Paul Jagger MBE, Chair of Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust, said: “It is wonderful that National Lottery Players have made it possible for us to capture the stories of people in Barnsley at such a time of change in such a creative way.

"We hope that as many people as possible will engage with the project and the wonderful heritage of Barnsley”.

Artist partnership Lenny and Whale were planning to deliver a series of workshop and story gathering sessions with community and heritage groups throughout the year, but the current situation with the Covid19 pandemic has meant a big re-think about how to deliver the project safely whilst still connecting with people across the town.

Lenny and Whale explained the project, saying: “Barnsley town centre is changing rapidly, there are striking and exciting new buildings that are changing the landscape and providing new opportunities for the people that live here.

"Routed is a celebration of these exciting changes and of the town’s rich heritage.

"We are really looking forward to the opportunity of getting to know the people, stories and heritage of Barnsley and share our discoveries back with the community through an exciting and vibrant exhibition at Experience Barnsley and creative art based town trail.”

LINKS:

Routed In Barnsley

Web: www.routedinbarnsley.co.uk

Twitter: @routedinb #routedinbarnsley

Instagram: routedinbarnsley

Barnsley Museums:

Web: www.barnsley-museums.com

Twitter: @BarnsleyMuseums

Barnsley Museum and Heritage Trust

Web: www.bmht.org

Twitter: @BarnsleyMHT

Lenny and Whale