A special assembly at 13:30 this Friday 23rd March at Mill
O’ Forest Primary School Stonehaven will see 60 pupils
collect certificates from
the local Heritage Society.
The
pupils, facilitated by their visiting ICT teacher Ms Jean
Forsyth and Rod Mcleod, webmaster of New Media Ltd, have created
a section of vibrant web pages containing blogs, pods, polls,
video animation, ghosts, trails, quizzes and competitions
http://www.stonehaven-heritage.org/content/young.asp
The
pupils have taken part in an initiative introduced by Stonehaven’s
Heritage Society. This was a project where young people have
been encouraged to take an active part in their heritage by
contributing their ideas to a special section of the Society’s
web site.
Local
solicitor Gordon Ritchie, Honorary Secretary, founder of the
Society and partner of Connons Solicitors, in Stonehaven noted:
“Traditionally
an appreciation of heritage has been the preserve, to a large
extent of adults, but it is imperative and common sense to
encourage young people to participate in their own future
heritage.”
The
pupils at Mill O’ Forest Primary 7 have taken to the
challenge with real interest and excitement. The pupils themselves
think its “well cool” and Ms Forsyth, their visiting
ICT teacher, has experienced the strange phenomenon of pupils
lining up after break “ten deep” to get back into
the class to finish off the work they have been doing.
The
parent of one pupil stated that she had never seen her child
so motivated and enthusiastic about schoolwork.
The Nano iPods provided by the Heritage Society have proved
very popular, particularly when “dinky” memo microphones
are attached for the pupils to record interviews for their
Pod casts.
Ms
Forsyth commented, ”I have been using the Young Heritage
initiative to allow pupils to show their creativity and technological
skills and to interpret heritage in a wider sense, not just
buildings
The
initiative also fits with the Scottish Executive’s new
“Curriculum For Excellence” where pupils are encouraged
to be successful, confident learners as well as contributing
citizens.”
Bruce
Robertson, OBE the new Director of Education & Recreation
Aberdeenshire Council agreed……….
"As
an ex-history teacher with an interest in local heritage and
history, I am delighted to see how young people from Mill
O’ Forest Primary School have become actively involved
in their area's past.
The
new technologies give outstanding opportunities for young
people to be influential in local history and heritage societies
and this is a great example. Well done to everyone involved,
but especially the pupils."
Further
information contact Phil Mills-Bishop
Committee Member Stonehaven Heritage Society pmbishop@aberdeencity.gov.uk Work:01224 522000
Mobile: 07787 555 657
Web
address: www.stonehaven-heritage.org click link to Young Heritage
pages. For information on the Stonehaven Heritage Society
Gordon Ritchie can be contacted on 01569 762971
Evening Express Article on Heritage Society
News Archive
2004
Neer-Day” Present
Stonehaven Heritage Society, founded in 1987 by local Solicitor Gordon Ritchie, one of the largest organisations in the town with 280 members, has this week given the town a “Neer-Day” present with the launch of its revamped web photo-archive @ www.stonehaven-heritage.org
Mr. Ritchie Secretary to the Society……
“One of our original aims was to collect old photographs of Stonehaven, and we have exceeded expectations, with a large collection of photographs, dating from 1880 to the present day. Traditionally the Society holds annual exhibitions in the summer for viewing, but the new online photo-archive will enable members both at home and particularly aboard to view all year round. We find that our local members enjoy the photographs because they can compare it with Stonehaven of today. Overseas members tracing their “family-tree” are fascinated to see a photograph of the street or town that their great-grandmother was born in.”
Mr Mills-Bishop, is eBusiness Advisor to the Society, developed the strategy and organised the new on-line facility…
”…this facility represents very good value for the small fee of joining the Society. All members are sent a password to enter the photo-facility and can download images for personal use. At the moment there are over 200 images online with a further 200 becoming available in the New Year. The archive and database design is quite sophisticated in that it can handle a large quantity of high quality images. Additionally it has a search facility that will allow interrogation of the database by keywords e.g Harbour which will then throw up images to do with the Harbour”.
The web site also provides a whole range of information on the heritage of Stonehaven from the Harbour’s ancient Tollbooth to the Art deco swimming pool. Books and magazines can be ordered online e.g., the winter issue of the Society’s quarterly magazine ‘Stanhyve’ is now available and contains articles on the history of the Fireballs ceremony and place-names in and around Stonehaven.
The web site also contains details for the winter presentation series on items of local interest. The next meeting is on Wednesday 28th January where the speaker will be Mr. Ian Shepherd, Archaeologist for Aberdeenshire Council.
Additional Information & Notes to Editor:
Request picture coverage from photo-desk
Information on the Society Gordon Ritchie can be contacted on 01569 762971.
Web information contact Phil Mills-Bishop eBusiness Advisor 01568 766562/07787555657
