By IW Observer.co.uk
Freshwater and Totland Archive Group has received an ‘Awards for All’ lottery grant of £8,977.
The aim of the grant is to hold a half-year exhibition of artefacts and pictures commemorating the accession, reign and local contacts with Queen Elizabeth and her children at the West Wight Heritage Centre in Avenue Road, Freshwater. The latest display features the Queen’s visit to Yarmouth (in 1965) and Prince Charles’ visit to Freshwater Bay Life Boat in 1982.
It should also feature the unique local tradition of annual local carnivals and carnival queens, dating back to the 1880s jubilee for Queen Victoria.
IW Councillor John Medland, of Freshwater South, said: “It’s great news; the grant is not only for a public exhibition in the West Wight Heritage Centre.
“It will also go towards primary school visits, oral history recording sessions, guided reminiscence walks of the area and outreach materials for local dementia groups, potential slideshows, and primary children school visits.
“The grant will also match-fund the publication of a drafted book on the history of the Parish of Totland and enable the community to share this valuable resource. However, we need more volunteers.”
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