Thanks to a successful bid for the ’15-minute heritage’ fund, a partnership between The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Cadw – the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, Ceredigion Museum will be leading a new and innovative project in 2021, to capture the untold stories of Aberystwyth on digital platforms.
‘It Happened in Aber’ aims to discover more about the characters, events and stories that have shaped the history of Aberystwyth, by exploring and sharing untold stories that will connect the wider community. These stories will be documented in short 3 – minute podcasts and on a geo tourist map, as well as becoming part of a longer podcast, which will be featured on the Ceredigion Museum website, YouTube channel, social media platforms and become part of the Museum Collections for the future.
Carrie Canham, Curator, said: “We’re delighted to have received support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and are very much looking forward to uncovering some of the more unconventional stories about Aberystwyth. Heritage is about so much more than dates and famous people and places, we want to capture stories that you’d normally hear in a pub, a school reunion or over coffee, stories that connect us to our hometown.”
The team working on the ‘It Happened in Aber’ project, is interested to hear stories from local people in Aberystwyth, as well as others who have lived and spent time here. The project is keen to capture a variety of stories and memories of Aberystwyth from a wide range of individuals, particularly stories linked to Trefechan Bridge and the Academy Building, formerly known as the Wesleyan Chapel on Darkgate Street. Maybe you were involved in the protest on the bridge? Maybe you got engaged or married at the Chapel or the pub?! No story is too big or too small.
Ceredigion Museum will work with experienced historians and digital storytelling experts and there will be an opportunity for volunteers to get involved. If you would like to learn about the process of sound recording, interview skills and podcasting, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn these transferable skills for free! Ceredigion Museum is keen to hear from any volunteers aged 18+ who would like to be involved in the project and take part in the training on the 12th and 19th of January.
Councillor Catherine Hughes, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Porth Ceredigion, Early Intervention, Well-being Hubs and Culture said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with our shared heritage, and for the museum to collect the voices and stories from a more representative range of the communities that call Aberystwyth home. This year has highlighted the importance of being able to engage in a digital world and this project rises to the new needs of our audiences.”
To discuss and share your story, or to find out more about becoming a volunteer for the project and the free training offered, contact Sarah Morton, Ceredigion Museum’s Sustainability Officer on [email protected].
