We want to create an online exhibition where Walsall residents past and present can share and see preserved, their memories of the Arbo - plus gain access to further information about the heritage of the park itself, (an educational resource). Photographs, poetry, written pieces, mixed media, and also the film we are currently completing, inspired by the Arbo memories of Walsall; centred around the timeless relevance of the park. We would create a website, plus an Instagram/Facebook page/Twitter account and process submissions; creatively sharing content and an online archive. Vibrant and accessible. For Walsall, by Walsall. We would launch the website and socials at the Arboretum itself, with free workshop activities and performances from local artists. This would be filmed by our filmmaker and shared with the park to play in their Visitors Centre/shared on the Memory Jar website. We want to continue the conversation/gathering information and put it somewhere permanent!

What we'll deliver:

• Create a website for The Walsall Memory Jar. (The Arbo strand). Accessible/interactive/open for further submissions.
• Create a social media presence for The Walsall Memory Jar including reels/trailers for relevant social media platforms.
• Host an open, relaxed, launch day at the Arboretum with free workshop activities and performances from local Artists.
• Create a short film of the launch day to share accordingly with the Arboretum and online.
• Create an education resource to go on the website; the history of the Arboretum. An interactive trail.

Why it's a great idea:

By producing an online, open memory archive, users of the Arboretum would be able to go to a specific online location to view/share their memories and in turn discover links to different creative organisations and groups/historic info. A dynamic forum. We started a bigger conversation than we anticipated with our CBC seed project and would love it to continue! People are proud of the park and the role it has played in their lives. What it has meant to them and they people they love. And people are coming back together. The launch day would give park goers a day of free fun, not only celebrating the preservation of words, snapshots and characters of our past, but having new conversations and creating new memories, as we look towards the future. (Hopefully a greener one!) Filmed content will create a buzz when shared and we hope, lead to further engagement and project models in the future. More people Down the Arbo. Taking care of the Arbo. And talking! Getting Walsall talking.

Steps to get it done:

• April 1st: To have gathered and collated memories/photographs/written pieces, for initial website launch.
• March 1st: To have gathered and collated all educational resource content for website launch.
• Feb 14th: To launch all social media platforms - to gather interest for the Walsall Memory Jar website and launch.
• January 10th : Promotional video to be released to support launch of social media platforms/gather interest.
• Jan - April: Building website content, designing website, running platforms, planning launch.
• March 1st: Launch date agreed and announced w/Arboretum.
• March - May: Launch countdown/promotion.
• May: Launch day! Both website going live/event.
• Early June: Release of launch day film.

We hope this project would promote activity and leisure in the park itself, whilst supporting creatives/creative organisations and simultaneously preserving the heritage of Walsall. Our relationship with the Arboretum is growing and we would be excited to explore that further. We hope the Memory Jar website, for Walsall, might act as a launchpad for further Memory strands of heritage and preservation and in turn lead to further in person participation and project models. ie: Leather Museum, Markets, Walsall in Pictures etc.