Igniting the Future, Through the Past
A Guest Post by Vicky Voller
What does history mean to you? Do you remember your first glimpse of a majestic building looming large on the horizon; feeling your spirits soar on hearing heart felt words ringing through the centuries; bright eyes staring back at you from a gilded frame; the thrill of losing yourself in the writings of someone long gone but never forgotten, your first walk in the footsteps of the past…
My world is richer, brighter and clearer because of history. It helps me to understand who I am and roots me in my present surroundings. Through it I understand the past and prepare for what might be in the future. I want to share this love, so I am a teacher and I teach in a very special school.
Loseley Fields is a primary school in the village of Farncombe in Surrey. My school serves a diverse community where many families face economic challenges and children grow up without the access to valuable cultural experiences. My classroom is full of amazing children who, on a daily basis, overcome life’s obstacles in order to embrace learning and a chance at something more.
My school is surrounded by the legacy of a rich and diverse history, however many children are unable to experience this because the cost is prohibitive and quality time and interaction with their family is limited.
At Loseley Fields we believe that children should have the opportunity to be immersed in imaginative, colourful and deeply meaningful learning experiences. We want to enrich the lives of our children with wonderful visits, inspirational experts and creative lessons. It is our aim to equip our children with the skills, values and knowledge they will need to succeed in the pursuit of fulfilment and happiness. Finally we want to give our children a taste of the beauty, wonder and vibrancy the world has to offer.
In order to offer all this and more we are embarking on whole school learning projects. Our first theme is entitled Princes, Peasants and Palaces, it is based on the Tudors and it cannot work without YOUR HELP!
My aim is to engage the help of the historical community to support me in making this project a reality! The following items freely given would be grateful received …
- Visits to places of historical significance in our wider locality at affordable price … Hever Castle, Hampton Court, and The Tower of London (any further ideas welcome).
- Speakers with passion and knowledge to share their expertise and inspire our learners.
- Costumed actors to bring the past to life.
- A bank of sources telling stories of the past, books, letters, portraits and artefacts.
- Ideas – have you any ideas for projects or areas we could study.
- Expertise, can you offer your support or guidance?
- Local historians with an understanding of the history of our locality (Godalming, Farncombe, Guildford, Compton etc.)
- Support in publishing our new curriculum documentation.
- Sponsorship or bursaries.
I can’t imagine missing out on stories from the past, a life where the present hangs senselessly without context or meaning. Please support my project in any way you can so that we can ignite the future, through the past!
Please contact me at:
Loseley Fields Primary School 01483 416477
Or by email: vicky_voller@hotmail.co.uk
Dear Vicky,
My name is Mike Farley and I am a professional Henry VIII look-a-like and interpreter. I have been travelling the country for the previous 10 years visiting schools and bringing Henry and his time alive for KS2 children. So far I have visited over 1000 schools. I also make appearances at Hever Castle, Leeds Castle, Hampton Court Palace, Blenheim Palace, Cardiff Castle and even abroad. I have also appeared as Henry many times on TV and Radio. I would be delighted to come to your school and share my passion for the Tudor era with your children. My background is in stand up comedy, so my Henry day is very funny as well as being historically accurate. If you would like to know more, please contact me on either 07709 216281 or 01460 271623, or simply email me to the address above. I hope to hear from you soon.
Mike Farley
Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for your response, it so exciting to hear from so many fabulous people in support of the project. I can’t see your email address above, would you be able to email me at vicky_voller@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks,
Vicky
Fully behind you in this Vicky. Fabulous venture and I hope its successful.
You are doing a wonderful thing. Unfortunately I am in the states, and can not help you directly. However, I feel that perhaps you can write to the Princess the Duchess of Cambridge and ask for her help, s a charitable endeavor. We here across the pond teach almost no European history anymore. Our state of education is pitiful. I never studied anything about history, except American history, and units on the cradles of civilization. This is when high schools taught history, the 1960’s. It is very sad that these topics have become unimportant in America, because our schools have no uniform curriculum due to budget constraints. In some states the school boards even determine what books the students read. We need to overhaul our educational standards, but the right wing has tied everyone’s hands. They don’t even want to teach science. I applaud your efforts and hope you can get the assistance you need. The post by Mike above sounds promising. I know Edinburgh does tours through many historians. Maybe if you contacted historical fiction writers, they might contribute. I suggest Alison Weir, Marie Macpherson, or even local societies that I know exist in Britain. Good luck with your endeavor
Marie Queen of Scots facebook Page
Thank you so much Jan, I have contacted a few authors most of whom have not replied. Hats off to Alison Weir who, although too busy to help out, did at least reply and wish me luck xx
A NEW MUSICAL WORK IS BEING ORIGINATED AT THE BARN THEATRE
June 18-28th 2014
The Stringers Production Company, formed by the three writer/composers, will premiere a new musical, the story of Henry VIII and his six wives. This is one of the best loved periods in British history, with Hampton Court Palace being less than two miles from theatre.
“Henry” is clean, family viewing and historically accurate for those studying the Tudor period and promises a wonderful and entertaining evening. The show runs 18th – 28th June 2014 at the Barn Theatre, 70 High Street, West Molesey, KT8 2LY and tickets are just £13 each (no concessions)
Further information on this World Stage Premiere from
Tess Townsend, henry@studiob.co.uk 07778 277805