Plans are shaping up for a brand new History Festival for Wimborne next year. The dates for the diary are 16 and 17 July 2016 with activities also taking place in the town in the lead up to the weekend.
East Dorset District Council will submit a Heritage Lottery Bid by the end of October to fund the festival activities. East Dorset’s Community and Recreation section will be leading on the Heritage Lottery application, working closely with the Sting in the Tale Festival.
Leading Officer Tracy Cooper commented: “We are thrilled to have already generated a lot of interest in creating a new History Festival, working with a great many local organisations, schools and individuals who have expressed interest in collaborating and being part of this event.
“Our aim is to provide unique learning experiences for residents and visitors, to interpret our sites and history and engage all ages in Wimborne’s heritage. There is still opportunity to get involved, so please contact me on [email protected] if you wish to learn more.”
The Festival will be focusing specifically on Iron Age, Saxon, Viking and Roman history as well as Victorian, Tudor and 1950s – 1960s. However this does not rule out any activity that interprets or informs about another period of Wimborne’s heritage.
Exciting project proposals are for a highly interactive Festival with opportunities for all members of the local community to engage in fun, historical-based activities. A Roman festival field will be one of the key focuses to the weekend with two Roman Legions occupying the original site of Vespasian’s encampment by Julian’s Bridge.
This will be accompanied by a Rotten Roman exhibition at the Priest’s House Museum, a Reminiscence project around 1950’s and 1960’s, a Craft project and a Viking project centred around Wimborne Minster’s heritage with a digital interpretation of its ancient history as well as re-enactments, Viking music and Viking Dance.
Local historian and shop owner Malcolm Angel commented: “We are very excited about these innovative project proposals to bring Wimborne’s fascinating and rich historical past alive and to educate residents and visitors about the history of this remarkable town. I wish the lottery application, which has the full support of the community, every success.”
