The Boys on the Plaque: Unearthing hidden histories of WWI soldiers from Brighton Hove
Fabrica is a contemporary art gallery in the heart of Brightons historic Lanes. Based in the former Holy Trinity Church, Fabrica responds to the building and its history through a programme of site-specific exhibitions and a diverse engagement programme, using creative and social activity to provoke investigation into how audiences look at the world. On 4th August 2014, the centenary of Britain joining WWI, we uncovered an original WWI commemorative plaque inside our gallery, hidden from view for almost 20 years. The plaque memorialises 95 soldiers from Brighton Hove who fought and fell during the war. Congregationalists of Holy Trinity, these men are the ordinary, forgotten heroes of WWI. In August 2014 three volunteers undertook to research the soldiers stories. They provided a tiny glimpse into the lives of The Boys on the Plaque, but were only able to scratch the surface. Holy Trinity Church was inaugurated in 1817. Almost 200 years later Fabrica is in the process of modernisation. Moved and inspired by our recent investigation, we wish to uncover more of Holy Trinitys past, particularly its congregation during WWI and use our project to make new connections to our present day community. From April 2015 - March 2017 we wish to discover much more about The Boys on the Plaque, including the impact of WWI on local soldiers, their families and community. We will connect this tangible heritage with the present, linking the stories of the soldiers, Holy Trinity and the city with participants and volunteers, new and established audience groups, young and older people. The combined expertise of project partners Strike A Light and Brighton and Hove Library Services encompasses heritage and creative engagement, and will deliver opportunities to reflect and learn from our past through reminiscence, history and personal exploration. This will be spearheaded by a Volunteer Research Group tasked with unearthing the life stories of The Boys on the Plaque. Their research findings will inspire and shape the following activities: 12 x Conversation Cafs contemplating WWI through documentation and memory. Regular meetings will engage older individuals from the University of the Third Age, led by Community Heritage organisation Strike a Light. 4 x Graffiti workshops with practitioner Tom Goulden for young people aged 16-25 from Youth Action Sussex, exploring the soldiers identities and their legacy in a contemporary context. 2 x Walking Tours led by Historian Dr Geoffrey Mead for local residents about effects of WWI on the local community. 2 x intergenerational Heritage Open Day events for 200 people will share research findings through drop-in activities, exhibitions and talks. 1 x Holy Trinity Bicentenary event will profile The Boys on the Plaque whilst celebrating the history of the building. Our project will be documented and disseminated via an accessible blog, a series of 6 postcards, A5 resource booklets and a touring exhibition. Its legacy will reside in the volunteers and participants who took part and in tangible resources at Fabrica, for future volunteers, at local libraries and online.
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The Boys on the Plaque: Unearthing hidden histories of WWI soldiers from Brighton Hove
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The Boys on the Plaque: Unearthing hidden histories of WWI soldiers from Brighton Hove
Fabrica is a contemporary art gallery in the heart of Brightons historic Lanes. Based in the former Holy Trinity Church, Fabrica responds to the building and its history through a programme of site-specific exhibitions and a diverse engagement programme, using creative and social activity to provoke investigation into how audiences look at the world. On 4th August 2014, the centenary of Britain joining WWI, we uncovered an original WWI commemorative plaque inside our gallery, hidden from view for almost 20 years. The plaque memorialises 95 soldiers from Brighton Hove who fought and fell during the war. Congregationalists of Holy Trinity, these men are the ordinary, forgotten heroes of WWI. In August 2014 three volunteers undertook to research the soldiers stories. They provided a tiny glimpse into the lives of The Boys on the Plaque, but were only able to scratch the surface. Holy Trinity Church was inaugurated in 1817. Almost 200 years later Fabrica is in the process of modernisation. Moved and inspired by our recent investigation, we wish to uncover more of Holy Trinitys past, particularly its congregation during WWI and use our project to make new connections to our present day community. From April 2015 - March 2017 we wish to discover much more about The Boys on the Plaque, including the impact of WWI on local soldiers, their families and community. We will connect this tangible heritage with the present, linking the stories of the soldiers, Holy Trinity and the city with participants and volunteers, new and established audience groups, young and older people. The combined expertise of project partners Strike A Light and Brighton and Hove Library Services encompasses heritage and creative engagement, and will deliver opportunities to reflect and learn from our past through reminiscence, history and personal exploration. This will be spearheaded by a Volunteer Research Group tasked with unearthing the life stories of The Boys on the Plaque. Their research findings will inspire and shape the following activities: 12 x Conversation Cafs contemplating WWI through documentation and memory. Regular meetings will engage older individuals from the University of the Third Age, led by Community Heritage organisation Strike a Light. 4 x Graffiti workshops with practitioner Tom Goulden for young people aged 16-25 from Youth Action Sussex, exploring the soldiers identities and their legacy in a contemporary context. 2 x Walking Tours led by Historian Dr Geoffrey Mead for local residents about effects of WWI on the local community. 2 x intergenerational Heritage Open Day events for 200 people will share research findings through drop-in activities, exhibitions and talks. 1 x Holy Trinity Bicentenary event will profile The Boys on the Plaque whilst celebrating the history of the building. Our project will be documented and disseminated via an accessible blog, a series of 6 postcards, A5 resource booklets and a touring exhibition. Its legacy will reside in the volunteers and participants who took part and in tangible resources at Fabrica, for future volunteers, at local libraries and online.
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HLF Heritage Lottery Fund FW1408794_85015595
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