Go West


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Storyteller Kevin Crossley-Holland, Grand Master of Arthur's 21st century Teme Valley Heritage Knights, addresses the first knights in Worcester Cathedral. July 2007.

One of the key aims of the Stories from the Stones programme is to introduce children to the heritage of the countryside and in particular its ancient churches and to do it in an exciting and thought provoking way.

We realised very early on that 'story' was a medium that could help everyone engage more easily with the physicality of the past and thus enhance everyone's understanding and appreciation of what we see and experience around us. The story of Arthur de Cadicot, hero of 'The Seeing Stone' fitted our bill perfectly

Scroll through the diary below to see how the project developed.
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What was it like in the past?
The discovery that the award winning children's novel 'The Seeing Stone' was set in the Teme Valley area around the year 1200 was the first step in a journey that has led to the creation of a series activities for children, with their families, in groups and in their schools.
The journey begins:
We recognised that the world of 13 year old Arthur de Caldicot, the hero of 'The Seeing Stone, offered us a unique way in to sharing the history and heritage of the area, but what would be the reaction of  the author, Kevin Crossley-Holland, to our ideas?  We shared them with him and to our delight he was not only enthusiastic but agreed to actively participate in the programme.
STORIES FROM THE STONES SCHOOL PROJECT
We needed to connect across the generations so we invited local schools to help develop and test out ideas..  
Robin Sharples
Robin Sharples joins the team as 'Merlin' the Storyteller

Robin's creative experience as teacher, headmaster, inspector, musician and storyteller made it all possible.
Consultants: The Institute of Education at The University of Worcester.
Discussions with members of the academic staff helped to hone our ideas.
Merlin with Harp
Primary Schools join in
During the schoolyear 2006/7 children from Broadwas, Martley and Lindridge Primary Schools took part in a programme to find out more about what their village was like in Arthur's time and what Arthur might recognize today if he were to return today. They helped us develop the first Village Quests for children and their families.
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Ladies from Martley W.I. made tabards for the schoolchildren to go time travelling
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The chilldren went timetravelling and met King John at Mass in the crypt of Worcester Cathedral
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Lindridge School made a model of a medieval manor
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Martley pupils discovered more about medieval life - here are there illuminated lettters
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Broadwas pupils show off their model of Caldicot Manor
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Everybody celebrated in the Cathedral
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Kevin Crossley-Holland create the first of Arthur's Teme Valley Heritage Knights


The ceremony took place in the Lady Chapel of Worcester Cathedral on July 12th 2007