“In the Hands of Boys”, World War I project wins National Lottery support

Shropshire Council has received a £10,000 National Lottery grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the “In the Hands of Boys”project, commemorating the centenary of World War I.

Awarded through HLF’s First World War then and now programme, the project will use dance, poetry and photography to share stories about Shropshire’s involvement in the war.

Boys and young men from six schools across the county will work with creative practitioners, heritage specialists and use archive and museum resources to explore and re-interpret key aspects of the war and their local relevance to Shropshire.

Each school will focus on a particular aspect of the war in Shropshire, including; KSLI (The Kings Shropshire Light Infantry) collections at Shropshire Regimental Museum, Stokesay Court – one of several convalescent hospitals in Shropshire, Shropshire Archives, exploring experiences of soldiers and those at home, Trenches through the Ages (Park Hall, Oswestry), RAF Museum Cosford and the role of trains.

With support from heritage professionals and artists, participants will create a dance performance, which will be shown at Theatre Severn on Sunday 12 November 2017, a touring exhibition that will combine images of the past with those of the present, using dance as the medium to create them, and a book.

Students will also benefit from WWI museum in a box, a local artefact enquiry box and a visit to school from the 11 Signals and West Mids Brigade.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:

“We are thrilled to have received the support of the National Lottery. Whilst time may have passed, the war still has an impact and shapes our lives today. This project will allow people to develop and broaden their WWI knowledge and understanding, particularly in the context of Shropshire.”

Vanessa Harbar, Head of HLF West Midlands, said:

“The impact of the First World War was far-reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested more than £90 million to more than 1,700 projects – large and small – that are marking this global centenary; with our small grants programme, we are enabling even more communities like those involved in “In the Hands of Boys” to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.” 

‘In the Hands of Boys’ forms part of Shropshire’s programme of commemorative events, cultural activity and education, to honour and remember the lives of those who served in and were affected by the First World War.

Further information

About Shropshire Council

The arts development officer at Shropshire Council is managing this project. Part of the community enablement team, within place and enterprise, the arts development officer plays a strategic and pivotal role in the provision of the arts in the county.

Heritage Lottery Fund and support for First World War heritage

• Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #HLFsupported.
• To date, £90million in HLF grants has been awarded to projects across the UK so they can mark the Centenary and explore all aspects of First World War heritage that matters to them. Through its First World War: then and now programme, HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019.  It is providing grants between £3,000 and £10,000 enabling communities and groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.  To find out how to apply for funding visit www.hlf.org.uk/thenandnow  If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes www.hlf.org.uk/firstworldwar
• To join the conversation on social media please use #understandingww1