A selection of popular History Days.
The Romans: Life at the frontier fort in the Castleshaw Valley.
We are fortunate to be based just a few minutes from the site of a Roman Fort on the old Chester to York Roman Road. We can combine a visit to the fort, and a study of the site and its remains, with activities based at the Centre. These can include:
- Learning about the Roman Army (and filling out an 'application form'!).
- Dressing in mock uniforms and trying out some of the most famous Roman manoeuvres.
- Trying out some practical 'archaeology'.
- Making a 'time line'.
Weavers' cottages to Steam Mills: a journey through time.
We trace the transformations of the industrial revolution and learn about the changes this brought about by following a route from a local hamlet with weavers cottages, past the remains of water powered mills, finally reaching large steam powered mills in Diggle.
The visit can include viewing and handling contemporary artefacts (e.g. spinning wheel, carding brushes etc.), video of large steam mills operating, hands on 'weaving' etc.
Victorian Delph
An exploration of Delph and a search for clues of its growth and development in the Victorian era.
The Victorian Experience
One of our special winter courses, prominently based indoors. We encourage schools to come in mock "Victorian dress". A hands-on day with a number of options available including:
- The "Victorian" kitchen - bread baking and butter making.
- Join in a National History lesson in a "Victorian" classroom.
- Explore a Victorian tip for some 'hands-on' archaeology.
- Learn about the plans to build 2 reservoirs in the Castleshaw Valley of the 1880's and join in a public meeting to debate the issue.
- Learn about the use of child labour, and experience chimney sweeping.
- Sample traditional children's games of the era.
- Experience 'wash day' - the hard way - try washing clothes with a dolly tub, posser and scrub board!
The John Buckley Trail - bringing real Victorians to life.
This trail tracks the births, education, marriages, working lives and deaths of a family from the Castleshaw Valley in the last century. The day involves use of maps from the period, old photographs etc., and can involve use of census information and grave rubbings if desired.
Travel the ancient highways
A journey through time in the Castleshaw Valley, using the routes of ancient (and more recent tracks) such as the pack horse trail, the Roman road and the turnpike route. We can also take in the local 18th and 19th century canals, and the introduction of the railways if desired.
The Victorian Experience
A 'hands-on' day of immersion in Victorian life and history. We encourage schools to come in basic Victorian-style costume [see below]. Our staff will be in appropriate costume, and parts of the day will involve role play. We have a number of options available during the day - you should choose the options which would be most useful / appropriate for your group, to complement your work in school.
Options include:
Bread baking and butter making
Roll up your sleeves, and don your pinnies as the children try out part of the daily routine in the kitchen of a prosperous Victorian house. Hopefully the rolls and butter will be ready for lunch [or to take home if you prefer].
The Victorian Classroom
We have old photographs of the days when Castleshaw was a Sanatorium School. We relive those days and involve the children in a Victorian-style Natural History lesson, and include some sketching on the slate chalk boards.
The Victorian Tip
An old domestic tip near the Centre provides the opportunity for some 'hands-on archaeology', and an opportunity to consider the changes which the growth of towns and cities brought.
The Castleshaw Reservoirs
In 1866 the Mossley and Saddleworth Reporter reported that Oldham Corporation had spent £20,000 promoting a Bill to approve the building of Castleshaw reservoirs. It reported "There is considerable opposition to the measure". We recreate a public meeting at which the local residents discuss the pros and cons of the scheme.
Child Labour
An opportunity to discover how 'childhood' has changed in the last 200 years. We complement factual input with an opportunity to imagine how some of the most infamous examples of child exploitation must have felt - working in the mines or chimney sweeping.
Children's Games
At break time or lunch we will provide a number of traditional games for the children to try [5 stones, hopscotch, skipping, marbles etc.].
Wash Day
A hands-on experience of 'wash-day' the hard way. An opportunity for children to handle and try out possers, dolly tubs, scrub-boards and mangles.
Victorian costume ideas
Boys:
- Boots
- Black trousers
- White shirts
- Waistcoats
- Hats
- Handkerchiefs
Girls:
- Dresses with pinafores
- Boots
- Hats
- Cotton gloves
Victorian packed lunch ideas:
If possible - why not bring a Victorian style packed lunch?
Try to avoid plastic wrappers [paper is fine].
Suggestions:
- Block of cheese or cold meat
- Chunk of bread
- Pickled onions
- Apples
- Chicken leg
Wrap your lunch in a tea cloth or a large handkerchief - or borrow a wicker basket.