Beyond Braille
Press Release 01/11/2024
Local arts company, Dream Time Creative, C.I.C has been awarded funds from Historic England, as part of the prestigious new national blue plaque scheme.
Dream Time Creative C.I.C, the powerhouse behind the Forgotten Women of Wakefield blue plaque parity campaign has been awarded a grant of £6,500 by Historic England
The funding will be used to engage the community in a series of deep research experiences about, and creative responses, to Edith Wright and Emily Esther Fennell who, together founded and further established Wakefield’s first School for the Blind.
Historic England’s national blue plaque scheme tells the stories of inspirational people – from all walks of life – who have made a significant contribution to human welfare or happiness, throughout history.
Community groups were encouraged to apply for funding to help research ‘local heroes.’ The researching findings may be used to support an application by Dream Time Creative C.I.C for a national blue plaque when Historic England opens public nominations again next year.
Sarah Cobham, CEO of Dream Time Creative C.I.C said, “This funding is real validation for the work we have already done at local, regional and national level and is an opportunity for us to submit our findings to Historic England. This may, in turn, lead to the women’s names and information about their legacy to be read, both in regular script, and braille, by everyone.”
The project, entitled, Beyond Braille, will be co-produced with Wakefield District Sight Aid, whose CEO, Hayley Grocock said of the project: “Wakefield District Sight Aid’s roots can be traced as far back as 1869, so we already know there is a long history of philanthropic support for blind and partially sighted people in Wakefield. We are really excited to be working with Dream Time Creative to add colour and detail to what we already know about our heritage, to be able to bring the stories of those women who came before us to life.”
Research skills will be facilitated over 8 sessions by Forgotten Women of Wakefield’s resident historian Helga Fox. She has previously worked with Dream Time Creative to publish a book titled ‘Clara Clarkson’s Merrie Wakefield’ It was during this project, and previous projects that the Society for the Blind first came to both her, and Sarah’s attention.
Audio recordings of those with sight loss and their lived experiences and creative engagement with the project will be available across various digital platforms alongside Braille sheets summarising the research outcomes.
A group of dedicated volunteers known as the ‘Round Our Way’ team have pledged to donate their time and creative flair to develop a new Wakefield history walk. This will tell the story of these pioneering women and early advocates for disability rights and will raise awareness and funds to make sure Edith Wright and Emily Fennell become part of the Forgotten Women of Wakefield blue plaque series.
As of November 2024, there are 36 women named on blue plaques in Wakefield and its surrounding district. This is thought to make Wakefield and the five towns surrounding it, Castleford, Featherstone, Knottingley, Normanton and Pontefract leaders in representing women on blue plaques across the country.
Juian Haran, Historic England’s national blue plaque manager, said: “We are delighted to award this grant to Dream Time Creative C.I.C as part of our funding for community projects exploring local figures. The national blue plaque scheme helps people feel more connected to their local history and heritage. It complements the work of civic societies, councils and charities which run plaque schemes across the country.”
Notes to Editors
The national blue plaque scheme is run by Historic England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. (DCMS)
Contact
karina.flynn@historicengland.og.uk