The NAHT Official launch took place last week. The launch was about celebrating everybody's contribution to what has been a highly successful project and to celebrate ' The North Arden Heritage Trail's major new walking route in itself and parish loops taking in the areas local heritage.
 
Project summary:
 
25 mile trail and parish loops
During the pilot phase work was undertaken to identify a 25 mile circular walk. During the lifetime of this project and through access workshops held at Community meetings, Geoff Treadwell has amended the trail route to take on board local peoples views and knowledge of the area and the project has established 12 new walking routes.
 
Developing Heritage Interpretation Features
From the outset of this project parishes were invited to attended Community meetings where a number of heritage workshops were held. These events helped to identify heritage based theme ideas for each of the project parishes. Following this each parish then went on to set up design committees which were responsible for preparing the design briefs, putting them out to tender, interviewing and selecting artists and commissioning the final parish features. Some of the features have a function like a seat or a bird bath whilst others are beautiful sculptures.
 
Interpretation boards
The NAHT interpretation boards compliment the walking leaflets and website by providing a heightened awareness of the area local heritage. The boards provide bite sized chunks of information and images of the parish.
 
Walk leaflets
The walking leaflets provide an overview of the parish walks, the points at which it links to the 25 mile main trail, a detailed map and promotes the parishes points of historic interest. The leaflets are currently being distributed. Parish Councils will all be provided with a box of leaflets however these can also be downloaded from the web site.
 
Family Trail & activity sheets
The Family Trail provides young people with a fun and free way to explore Atherstones local heritage. Activity sheets accompany the Family Trail and provide a unique learning resource for all families, locally.  The Family Trail and all the children's activity sheets can be down loaded from our web site.
 
Oral history recordings
The oral history recordings have enabled local people’s memories to be conserved. Project volunteers have helped research and supply recordings, a special thanks goes to Fiona Henderson of Warwickshire Rural Community Council & Susan Moore who have provided transcripts & recordings for this project. Again, you can download the recordings from our web site.
 
Celebratory stone benches
A number of stone carving workshops were held during the lifetime of the project enabling local people to learn new skills, by producing bold carvings, depicting their local heritage. The carvings are being made into celebratory benches . The benches will be located in Shustoke, Ansley and Harsthill.
 
Project website
The new and exciting project web site provides people with an interactive experience to explore the North Arden Heritage Trail. The website includes downloadable oral history recordings, walking leaflets, Family Trail and activity sheets and much more.  Please take the time to check out our exciting new  web site and feedback any comments to me. The project's web address http://www.northardenheritagetrail.co.uk/ 
 
Training and volunteering opportunities
This project has provided a variety of formal and informal training opportunities. We have ran photography courses, oral history training, artist led training, stone carving workshops and much more. Volunteering has  been an integral part of this project and a special thanks goes out to all of our volunteers!
 
We have been truly overwhelmed by the contributions and support by local people. As you can see it has been a busy project! Without funding from Heritage Lottery this would not have been possible.