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The English Northern Uplands Sense of Place Project is a
one-year action research and training project, taking place
throughout 2006 in the Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland
Leader+ areas of Northern England. These areas include some
of the most scenic and remote upland areas in the country,
with unique landscapes - many of which have protected status
- containing a network of farming and rural communities, each
with its own traditions, culture and heritage.
The project aims to:
- Identify if, and how, elements in the cultural landscape
of upland Northern England might contribute to community
sustainability and development.
- Explore the meaning of 'sense of place' and 'cultural
identity' to participating communities.
- Identify potential community based landscape, cultural
and heritage features, activities and organisations which
can provide the basis for future development projects and
actions in the participating Leader+ areas.
- Provide events, training workshops and reciprocal visits
for participating communities, organisations and individuals,
around themes relating to cultural landscape and project
development.
- Test whether the concept of 'Sense of Place' can be used
as a future development tool throughout the Leader+ network
across the UK and Europe.
Perceptions of cultural identity, sense of place and belonging
are at the heart of the project. The concept is based on the
hypothesis that cultural identity and sense of place are defined
by tangible and intangible heritages from the deep past to
the present. The 'ecomuseum' framework is also central to
the project, an ecomuseum being a defined geographical area
with distinctive landscape, cultural and heritage features
that are recognised, protected and interpreted by local communities
and people. Ecomuseums are found worldwide, and can be an
important means of development for isolated rural communities.
(www.ecomusei.net).
The project was developed by the three Leader+ Groups in
Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland, the International Centre
for the Uplands, Newcastle University and the Hidden Britain
Centres Cumbria Project.
The project is administered by the International Centre for
the Uplands, and funded by the three Leader+ Groups in Cumbria,
Durham and Northumberland. Peter Davis, Professor of Museology
at Newcastle University, is the Project Adviser, providing
specialist knowledge and expertise. These organizations and
individuals form the Project Management Group for the Sense
of Place Project.
Jenny Smith, who previously managed the Hidden Britain Centres
Cumbria Project, is the Sense of Place Project Officer, responsible
for developing and implementing the project.
A Project Advisory Group will also be set up early in 2006,
which will include wider representation from communities and
organizations in the participating Leader+ areas.
For more information on the Sense of Place Project,
contact:
Jenny Smith, Project Officer
Tel: 01539 740895 (Office hours Monday)
01931 711112 (Office hours Tuesday)
E-mail: jenny.cumbria@hotmail.co.uk
Address: c/o The International Centre for the Uplands - Cumbria
Unit 8, Hackthorpe Hall Business Centre,
Hackthorpe, Penrith CA10 2HX.
Alternatively, please contact Dawn Corse, Centre Administrator,
the International Centre for the Uplands - Cumbria on 01931
711112, Monday - Friday, during office hours.
Please click on the links below to view other
projects of the month:
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