We’re currently working with the Grosvenor Museum Chester, and other partners in Chester itself, to look at ways in which we could share our project research with the local community and visitors to the city. We’re hoping to apply for funding to make this possible and have several meetings coming up to discuss ideas. Watch this space for news as our plans take shape!

On a separate note, we’ve just found out that the ‘Mapping Medieval Chester’ project will be featuring in an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) report for government and other stakeholders entitled ‘Changing the World: the impact of the arts and humanities’. We’re really pleased to be included in a report which shows the value that this kind of research can have both within and beyond academia. Who knows – perhaps Peter Mandelson will soon be reading about Lucian and Henry Bradshaw over his morning cup of coffee…

One topic which came up repeatedly in our discussion was the idea that Chester needs to do more to celebrate and promote its medieval heritage – in comparison with the huge emphasis it currently places on its Roman history.  As various members of our project team have commented in the past: every time we’re in Chester we bump into a Roman centurion! It would be great if the wonderful, rich medieval heritage of the city had more of a visible presence in the city’s culture and tourism programmes. It was certainly very encouraging to hear the enthusiasm of those present at the lecture for all things medieval Chester!

I (shamelessly) used my lecture as another opportunity to urge people to take photos of medieval locations in Chester today for our website. It’s very easy – you can find full details below in the post ‘Mapping Medieval Chester needs you!’. If you have a look at our maps, they’ll give you an idea of some of the sites you could photograph (including St Werburgh’s, St John’s, the walls and gates, the Rows etc etc) and we’re very keen to have several different perspectives on each location. After all, our project seeks to explore how different people represent the urban space around them differently.

Thank you to the Chester Archaeological Society for the invitation to speak, and to everyone who came along on Wednesday.

Be part of our website – add your photos to the map!

The interactive digital map at www.medievalchester.ac.uk will soon include a layer of photos of medieval locations in Chester today. We need your help to do this!

How to help:

1. Take digital photos of medieval locations in Chester which are on our map (e.g. St Werburgh’s, St John’s, the city walls, the gates etc.)
2. Upload them on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1204980@N21/ (Mapping Medieval Chester Group)
3. Remember to add a tag for each photo, identifying the subject – this is important
4. We’ll do the rest – your photos will be added to the map in the near future and we’ll let you know!

 Your photos will provide an integral dimension to the map, allowing our users all over the world to see Chester sites for themselves, and enabling you to include your own perspectives on the city. Thank you!