Bringing Wakefield’s Forgotten Women to Life
Are you looking for an engaging local history workshop or talk for your school or Community Group? Sarah Cobham specialises in bringing the stories of the Forgotten Women of Wakefield to life through immersive history sessions, creative activities, storytelling, and educational visits.
From artists and campaigners to pioneers and reformers, you can explore the lives of remarkable women who helped shape the history of Wakefield and West Yorkshire. The events are suitable for children and adults of all ages.
The Forgotten Women of Wakefield in Schools
Which Forgotten Woman would you like to experience?
Sarah specialises in all of our Forgotten Women. She delivers engaging educational workshops designed to connect children with local history in a memorable and meaningful way.
Here she is during a recent visit to Walton Primary Academy, bringing Florence Beaumont, Wakefield’s most famous suffragist daughter, to life.
Following one successful school visit, a parent felt inspired to write to the school about the impact the day had on her daughter:
I just felt the need to let you know just how much the little adventure that year one has been on today has absolutely mesmerised Ada.
Since leaving school tonight she has talked non stop about Louisa Fennell. I know all about her life, her siblings, that she had diaries, that King Charles has a Louisa Fennell painting and more. She has asked if at the weekend she can take me to show me where Louisa Fennell died and show me where the blue plaque is.
I also know all about poor Betty Tingle, and about Victorian candle making and rug beating!
It was so lovely how absolutely engaged she was and how this has brought something to life for her in such a special way.
I just wanted to let you know and to say thank you!’
The Louisa Fennell Experience
One of our most popular educational history workshops focuses on Wakefield artist Louisa Fennell.
Pupils visit Louisa’s blue plaque and grave. They explore Wakefield through her eyes and sketch scenes that still appear in her paintings today. Along the way, they hear stories, some tragic, some amusing and some surprising, about the people and places connected to her life.
The day concludes with pupils learning and practising the wet-on-wet painting technique used by Louisa herself. You can see an example in one of the gallery images above.
It is a truly immersive local history experience that combines art, storytelling and heritage learning.
About Sarah Cobham
Sarah is a creative and inspiring educationalist with more than 30 years’ experience delivering innovative learning projects across Yorkshire.
As co-founder of Dream Time Creative and one of the driving forces behind the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project, Sarah is passionate about helping people connect with local history, through engaging and memorable experiences.
Sarah is fully DBS checked and cleared.
What’s Included:
- Multi-language walking trail book
- Louisa Fennell postcards
- Louisa Fennell walking trail map
- Forgotten Women of Wakefield walking trail map
- Sketch pads, pencils and paints during the walk
Group Sizes
- Maximum of 30 pupils at any one time
- One or two accompanying teachers are required
Book a Wakefield History Workshop
To find out how Sarah can help your school or Community Group connect with the history of Wakefield’s remarkable women, please contact us with a few details about your group to receive information and prices for workshops, school visits, and educational heritage talks.