Huntingdon Castle Project         

In 2005 - 2006 a year 8 form from Hinchingbrooke worked alongside Cambridgeshire County Council on a local heritage project surrounding the well-known Castle Hill site in Huntingdon. Pupils took part in a series of workshops to assess the different options surrounding the question "How could our town's historic castle be better interpreted and enjoyed?". Following this, the pupils produced their own presentations to explain their ideas for the site. Pupils completed this work both during form time, with their tutor Miss Dacey from the history department, and in their PD lessons with Mrs. Scully-Crane. The project was a huge success, the upshot of which is a new interpretations board being produced for the site. Below is more information on the project, along with some photos.

"How could our town's historic castle site be better interpreted and enjoyed?"

This was the title of a debate hosted by Hinchingbrooke School's Year 8 students last October.

Their work on Castle Hills forms part of the 3-year Huntingdonshire Heritage Programme, which is enabling people to explore and enjoy their local history - projects so far have involved participants from the ages of 3 to 83!

The castle project was planned with the school to help address the Citizenship curriculum - giving students an opportunity to discuss what is important in their neighbourhood and learning that everyone has a voice and a part to play in shaping its future.

The debate audience included Huntingdon’s Mayor, Deputy Town Clerk and Town Centre Manager, the County Archaeologist and representatives from the District tourism and planning departments. The students did a great job putting forward their ideas (below). They really hope that decision-makers will take notice and they would like to know what other Huntingdon residents think too!

The young people’s ideas for the castle site included:

          * Erect a new interpretation panel at the site – NOW HAPPENING!

          * More special events at the site to mark historic dates

          * Improve and clean riverside area and provide picnic tables

          * Reconstruct some Norman castle buildings to show what life was like (as at other sites e.g. Mountfitchett Castle)

          * Produce an audio guide to the castle that could be picked-up from Tourist Information Centre

          * Improve entrance, signage and provide some disabled access

          * Introduce a planting scheme that will help reduce noise pollution from the A14 and the ringroad

          * Create an historic games play area for children

          * Build a footbridge over the ringroad