A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Incredible VolunteersWe are so grateful for everyone who helped make the launch of the Voices of Woolfardisworthy project a truly memorable event! Your dedication and hard work brought our vision to life, creating a day filled with joy, community spirit, and a deep appreciation for our shared history.A huge thank you to those who recorded and edited the stories that now form the heart of our archive, to the volunteers who provided refreshments, and to those who made the church yard look so well cared for, for the cleaners and those that did the beautiful stunning flower arrangements. To the bell ringers, tower climbers, cake makers, the scouting family who embraced the day and guides who brought the church's history to life, and to everyone who gave their time on the day of the event – we couldn’t have done it without you. A big thank you to all of you that went and bought a National Lottery Ticket as a thank you to the Heritage Lottery Fund as a token of our appreciation for the grant that made it all possible to achieve such a project.The smiles, laughter, and sense of community we experienced on Saturday showed just how special our history is and how treasured it is by people of all ages. Your efforts ensured that this celebration of our heritage was enjoyed by all, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making it happen.Together, we created a day that will be remembered for years to come!With heartfelt thanks,All Hallows PCC
Devon Church Launches Voices of Woolsery Digital History TrailA historic church in North Devon has unveiled an interactive digital trail designed to immerse visitors in the rich history of both the church and the surrounding village.All Hallows Church in Woolsery has launched the "Voices of Woolsery" digital history trail through its new InfoPoint system, which includes an engaging mix of audio and visual content, quizzes, and puzzles. The project has been made possible through funding from a Heritage Lottery grant.Visitors can now explore the centuries-old history of the church and village by scanning a QR code on the InfoPoint, gaining access to the archive of stories, memories, and historical details.The launch of "Voices of Woolsery" took place on Saturday, 14th September, attracting more than 200 locals and visitors. The event was part of the Devon Historic Churches ‘Ride and Stride initiative, which encourages people to explore Devon's 600 churches on foot or by bike.A significant aspect of this project is the collection of recorded stories and memories from local residents, which will continue to grow as more contributions are added over time. This endeavour allows the church to serve as a living archive, preserving valuable parish history.Rev’d Jane Skinner, the vicar of All Hallows, expressed her enthusiasm: “We see the potential for the church to be a treasure that is opened up for the village and visitors to experience, discover, and enjoy. With InfoPoint, we become the archive for the parish, recording significant memories and information that may otherwise be lost. And all narrated by the people involved in this local history – telling their own stories."The launch event started off with the bellingers ringing, signalling the start of the event and various featured activities took place during the day, including a chance to climb the church tower, a Teddy Parachute Drop, crafts, and refreshments. Local Beavers and Cubs also participated, using the InfoPoint system to earn their local knowledge badges.Rev’d Jane Skinner added, “Capturing events, achievements, and stories is a gift for the future. We hope that this will inspire spiritual exploration in All Hallows, including meeting Jesus, who is depicted in the church's stained-glass window."Comments about the day:My children will enjoy hearing these stories as they grow up - and make recordings in the future!Great for kids to be able to come in and use their phones to do the toursI haven't been in church for 50 years and loved the tour, great way to spend an hourExcellent learnt all about the garage and Bucks MillsA lovely morning , interesting tour and friendship, food very blessedIt’s been too busy!I will come back and visit and listen to further stories in my own time (Organiser note; That is great, as we plan to release a new voice every month).I loved listening to local voices and their stories!Just overwhelmed, amazing and brilliant - will be back.Everyone was really welcoming , thank you!I would like a quiet session in a couple weeks time and to be shown how to get on with my smartphone, just confidence on how to use it. (good idea - we will help you with that)Everything changes and not always for the best, this is a good thing for WoolseryI loved it. I listened to Gordon and Garth and laughed - Barney's real Devon accent is stronger than my own!I'm a friend of Margaret and really enjoyed listening to her voice. I miss her, she taught my husband to play piano at 70!We’re learning! Looking at “King Cole” Mother, Sister and daughter all around their smartphone.Children enjoyed making badges, enjoying the fun activities today.Not just about the Church, children can relate to all the different storiesLovely to listen to all the local voices and accentsWould love to hear Children’s voices and young people included (Organisers note: That is the plan)A proper history of the village because people don't want to open books.This is my teat for my 77th birthday. I left Woolsery 49 years agoBeen here for years but stuff pre 1960s it is really nice to hear stories about the garage and how it used to be.Wonderful that we are enabled to do such a thing with the grant, important to keep such things - memories - takes me back!Really Brilliant! So glad we came by today, it was meant to be!We saw the post on social media and having the chance to go up the tower, really interesting visitAlways wanted to climb up the tower and now I was able to for the first time! A dad!Nice for those who are new to understand more about the village you belong to and connect.Really enjoyed it, I like the way it tells you - not too complicated - cannot think of anything to improve!Enjoyed memories brought back, listened to Gordon on the Twinning and visited France.Really enjoyed the tower trips and having the chance to go up!I enjoyed moments of watching people interact with the guided tour and listening to the voices.I managed to get on the guided tour. It was simple to navigate my way around. I've really enjoyed listening to all the voices, I enjoyed listening to Barney and his stories.I listened to the Twinning and it brought back so many happy memories of our exchanges we did between our villages.I listened to Jonathan Downes clips, on Richard Cole statue in the church and his memories.#HeritageLotteryFund #HeritageFund #NationalLottery
It's called the gathering as that is what it is. A gathering of people of different faiths, of no faiths, or faiths in-between.Just a fun evening of fellowship, with video clips, singing and discussion and time the on topic of the month and of course, most importantly, a bring and share supper and opportunity to get to know one another.ALL WELCOME the third Sunday of the month at the Methodist Chapel, Woolsery Please note that Septembers gathering has changed to the 29th September.
Voices of Woolfardisworthy UpdateThe Infopoint system has arrived, and we were most excited to open up the box this week and see it all working. Infopoint team have cleverly managed to make 3D images of the items that are kept safe (locked away) with North Devon Museum as part of the virtual tour. Thank you to Faith and Rev Jane Skinner for visiting the museum and taking the photos.We are busy out and about recording memories from the past and current history in the making. We've enjoyed listening to your stories that all form part of our lovely community. Do get in touch if you would like to tell us about your little bit of Woolsery History. Lots of action is going on in the background from organisation and planning of events to chats with individuals and groups and we welcome anyone who would like to get involved.By the time you have read this article, we will have done a soft launch of the Infopoint system at the last Saturday morning book sale, to gather feedback and further ideas on how you'd like to see it develop. So thank you to all those who had a go and took part in the mini tour.We look forward to releasing further information for our next event on Saturday 14th September, which is Historic Churches Day. We encourage you to visit, try the NEW virtual guided tour by Infopoint (all you need is your smartphone) or we will have a couple of tablets available, take the opportunity to climb the tower (Weather pending) we hope to have a virtual climb also available on the tour! We will have craft activities for people to try, and encourage young and old to bring a bear and make a parachute.Refreshments will be provided.We will be supporting the Ride and Stride Campaign which is part of the Devon Historic Churches day.Anyone can join in - collect sponsors, then plan your own route - walk, bike or car, visit some churches and enjoy the day. Why not make it an aim to visit one or more churches in the Hartland Coast Mission Community and enjoy your day. Half of your sponsorship goes to your own church and half to Devon Historic Churches Trust, which gives grants for repairs and improvements.The event is a FREE Heritage event that has been possible because of the grant awarded by Heritage Lottery Fund. It has allowed us to purchase Infopoint, provide training days and put on events. The system allows us to record memories and information and hopefully empower people to interview, record and create their own future content to preserve and capture the history of Woolfardisworthy.Any donations received on the day will go to Devon Historic Churches Trust. A hamper of goodies will be raffled off on the day, to gain a ticket for your name to go in the hat, you need to show your ticket for the National Lottery draw for Saturday 14th September 2024Please get in touch with Barbara Stevens (Church Warden) or Louise Leonard (Project organiser) if you would like to record some history or volunteer on the day.
