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  3. Primary school children explore the stories of the Fens

Primary school children explore the stories of the Fens

Children performing a traditional dance
Children performing a traditional dance

Heritage Grants

Dyddiad a ddyfarnwyd
Lleoliad
Crome
Awdurdod Lleol
Norwich
Ceisydd
Norfolk County Council
Rhoddir y wobr
£129500
“The rich assortment of stories and tales of the area had not been explored in our schools before, so opened up whole new avenues [of work].”
Primary schools explored the customs and traditional stories of the Fens and shared their learning through art, performance, music, exhibitions and publications.

Important aspects of the intangible heritage of the Fens of the East of England were at risk of being forgotten by future generations. This project, led by Norfolk County Council, used the arts to explore the stories and seasonal customs of the Fens, focusing on midwinter traditions. Children from 24 Norfolk and Cambridgeshire Fenland primary schools took part.

The children worked with experts to investigate and dramatise their own local stories. They also learnt the traditional Molly Dance, alongside the Ouse Washes Molly Dancers, and performed the dramas and dances in each school’s village. The project culminated in a packed King’s Lynn Corn Exchange where schools came together to share their learning with parents and the wider community. There were also exhibitions documenting the pupils’ work, publications and recordings were also created as a lasting legacy for the project.

The project helped preserve traditional stories and customs for the future, and created a sense of community pride in the local heritage.