Over the summer period 2017, Enter CIC embarked on a large scale initiative to connect young people with their local heritage. This was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
As part of the initiative, our young people built relationships with national and regional museums, including Beamish Museum, The National Coal Mining Museum for England, The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers and Durham Mining Museum in Spennymoor and Ferryhill Heritage Centre.
Our young people, working with Enter CIC professional activity mentors, created a spellbinding theatrical experience entitled, When Yesterday Was Young, with performances free to the community.
The training and activities were free to all local young people and the resulting performance received high critical acclaim.
This project is ongoing until the end of October, but Enter CIC has built a website at www.whenyesterdasywasyoung.org which will remain in place for at least three years. Our accompanying Facebook page for When Yesterday Was Young can be reached at www.facebook.com/whenyesterdaywasyoung .
The National Coal Mining Museum for England said:
On 27th August 2017 the Museum was thrilled to host a performance from EnterCIC. They captivated our visitors with their moving songs and powerful stories about coal mining in Durham. The young people involved were absolutely fantastic; so talented, confident and professional. What struck me the most was how engaged the young people are with the stories they share. It is obvious that they have connected personally and emotionally to their coal mining history. This project completely challenges the idea that young people are not interested in heritage and is a great example of how the arts can empower young people. Jayne Young, Education Officer, The National Coal Mining Museum of England
Te performance celebrated the works of Sid Chaplin and Norman Cornish and we were delighted that Michael Chaplin, son of Sid Chaplin attended the event. In addition, members of the Cornish family attended, too. They loved the performance and the reworking of the material.
