The Romans are back in Kirkham

The environment

The project significantly improved the public realm, with temporary installations and permanent artwork, all inspired by local heritage, connecting the local community to their past and to public spaces. Promoting a sense of civic and local pride. The town centre mural animates the high street and is an inspirational contemporary artwork. It is uplifting and a real draw for the town. The co-create approach resulted in significant community ownership, brought about through the inclusive high-quality engagement programme that ran throughout the project "The Romans are back in Kirkham." The heritage-inspired, Street and Lantern Festival transformed the town, promoted the use of recycled materials, such as plastic bottles in the creation of the artwork. The festival was magnificent and generated a sense of local pride and ownership. All the materials used in the delivery of the project were environmentally sustainable and all contractors signed up to this requirement. The community archaeology project helped to raise awareness of an important Roman Site amongst the residents of Kirkham. Many of which had no idea that a Roman Fort had previously existed beneath a modern housing estate. The community's involvement and participation in this project make them more likely to continue to protect local heritage and the local environment.

The local economy

The project has been fantastic for the town, connecting the local community, developing new partnerships and networks, working with local businesses and the town council. The local business groups worked in partnership with Kirkham Cultural Consortium and Positive Placemakers CIC. They have stated that the cultural programme, The Romans are Back in Kirkham, increased footfall to the town. The Heritage Inspired lantern festival increased local trade significantly, with stallholders reporting they had sold out of stock and hospitality venues reporting an excellent day of trading and having to increase staffing to cope with the demand. Unfortunately, footfall monitors failed to operate on the day, so estimates are only available, but significant evidence is available from individuals who attended, we also have records of the event, in terms of photographs, videos, and testimonials.

Volunteering, jobs & education

The cultural programme increased volunteering across the three main elements. KCC saw its membership also increase by six new volunteers. The Heritage Inspired Lantern Festival created significant volunteering opportunities, with volunteers undertaking many roles, from helping to plan and organise the festival, assisting in the workshops, facilitate another event planned due to delays ( carnival of light and fairy tales) providing music and entertainment, providing hospitality, cleaning up after the event, undertaking marketing and publicity roles, stewardship of the festival. Volunteering was also central to the community archaeologist, with volunteers helping dig the test pits, catalogue finds, supervise the exhibition, and help run the activities and events.

Arts, culture & heritage

This project has significantly improved access to the Arts, Culture and Heritage. it has exceeded all expectations, despite the many challenges presented. The high-quality inclusive engagement programmes, which included the development of a town centre mural, the community archaeology project, and the heritage-inspired lantern festival were facilitated by professionals supported by many volunteers. All those who participated received a high-quality experience that provided health and well-being activities and opportunities to increase their knowledge and learn new skills. Many more individuals were actively engaged in the arts, culture, and heritage. The feedback has been amazing, here are a few quotes from workshop participants.

Activity, health and leisure

The Romans are Back in Kirkham project provided significant opportunities for individuals to participate in health and well-being opportunities. To enjoy heritage-inspired workshops, where individuals could immerse themselves in heritage, learn new skills and acquire knowledge. enjoy social activities and make friends. The mural project - gave young people the opportunity to work with artists in the creation of their own heritage-inspired artwork, developing their creativity, while immersing themselves in local heritage. It also included a heritage-inspired Open Exhibition, providing individuals with the opportunity to explore and celebrate local heritage, while creating their own artwork that was later exhibited in a high street location. The Lantern Festival. delivered a high-quality inclusive activity programme, targeted groups/individuals at risk of social isolation. There was also a programme of workshops, providing opportunities for families, children, young people and individuals. These opportunities were popular and the evidence suggested those who participated enjoyed the activities, and developed their creativity, skills and knowledge. They also felt connected to the community and enjoyed making new friends. Here are some of the quotes from those who actively engaged. The Community Archaeology project promoted the active engagement of individuals and families digging test pits. Those who participated expressed a real joy in connecting to the environment and local heritage. The find days were also well attended, with individuals immersing themselves in local heritage. Once all the elements, such as the Mural, Lantern Festival and Community archaeology project were completed, a health and well-being programme was planned to take place. A Health and Wellbeing, heritage-inspired programme began in September, the ten places filled easily with individuals looking to immerse themselves in local heritage and develop their creativity. They enjoyed a ten-week programme that started with digging a test pit, the rest of the course was inspired by the finds that were dug up. The archaeological finds, dug up by the participants, set the course for the programme. It proved to be an inspirational project, with individuals experiencing real benefits, having reduced anxiety, feeling relaxed and sometimes reinvigorated, inspired, and enthused by their experience. They developed friendships and continued to meet even after the course had been completed.