RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS

Middlewich Heritage Trust has been involved in Heritage and Learning Projects for over ten years. In that time we have worked with Schools, Community Groups, Local Authorities and Businesses in understanding our local environment and connections with other townships.

From these projects we have created a permanent Database, Exhibitions & Displays, Events, Archive, School Resource Packs, the Trust Websites and Trails. Take a look at our range of Programmes, Session Plans and local Information which Teachers should find useful for local history studies in Cheshire. We cover many subjects including History (Romans, the Industrial Revolution and WW2 etc.) We also look at Geography, Science, Art and English.

Book a Talk or Tour or learn more about the support we offer.

For a list of our activities, please follow the links in the articles below...

Library

Roman Fort and Settlement archaeological evidence has been placed under the care of the Cheshire Museum Service and Chester Grosvenor Museum. Some of the ‘finds’ uncovered in Middlewich are currently on display at Middlewich Library.

Artefacts on display include:

The Middlewich hoard of silver denarii
Roman military discharge diploma
Examples of Samianware and other locally made pottery items
Leather shoes
Large amphora from Spain
Brooches and much more…

Information panels tell you about the development of the settlement and a life size model of a Roman Auxiliary Soldier shows what they would have been wearing in Britain.

The Library is open:

Monday 9.30am – 5pm
Tuesday 9.30am – 5pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 9.30am – 7pm
Friday 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday 9.30am – 1pm
Sunday Closed

For more library details and future events click the link cheshireeast.gov.uk/libraries to take you straight to the Middlewich Library section on the Cheshire East website.

TRUST RESOURCES

The Middlewich Heritage Trust resources offer a chance to explore the ancient town of Middlewich through trails and show & tell activities to gain a special insight into a historical Salt Town in Cheshire.

Resources the council have to offer are as follows:

Roman Trails – Starting from the Library Roman Display, discover the settlements of the Cornovii tribe, the Roman Army and Romanised traders. (1.5 hour approx duration)

Canal and Salt Trail – A walk to the sites that made Middlewich what it is today, an industrial revelation! Pathways used on the route, some road crossing, towpath. Easy walking, however there is a low bridge and bank when it comes to approaching the lock, an alternative path is available if required. We pass some fantastic wildlife sites! (2 hours approx duration)

Town Trails – Nice short trail through our historical town, informative and fact packed! Good for younger children who are studying their local area and can be adapted to work with your class subjects. (1 hour approx duration)

Special tour of St Michael and All Angels – Learn about the history of the church, its people and its place in the community, great opportunity to see the church in all its glory and explore. (40 mins approx duration)

Roman Middlewich School Resource Box and Teaching Pack – These are available for loan.

Roman Artefacts – These are on public display at Middlewich Library.

Objects can be brought into school for Show and Tell, we also demonstrate salt-making and each year we work with the Fly-Boat ‘Saturn’. The Fly- Boat is in Middlewich on the second week in June, supporting the Middlewich FAB Festival. Activities allow children to step on board in the cabin, explore cargo transport, how horses worked, rope work, making a canal plate etc.

The tours are free to schools and have a general trail risk assessment; a separate risk assessment is done for the ‘Saturn’ visit.
For further information and to book resources please contact: Kerry Fletcher BA (Hons), Heritage Development Officer, Room 1 Victoria Building, Lewin Street, Middlewich. CW10 9AS 01606 833434

ROMANS

Archaeological finds from the Roman occupation at Middlewich have been made for over 250 years. Over the course of that time, theories about the Roman settlement have been discussed and the site of the Roman Fort debated amongst the land owners, residents and professionals.

The first conclusive evidence of a Roman Fort was not found until 1993, when a geophysical survey of Harbutts Field was carried out, clearly showing the defensive ditches and gateways.

The archaeological evidence of Roman occupation from numerous digs over the years has enabled Middlewich Town Council to introduce a range of learning resources to schools.

We can offer:

A Guided Roman Middlewich Trail
Archaeological exhibition at Middlewich Library
Demonstration of how the Romans made salt
A school resource pack that includes: A Teacher’s Information Pack with illustrations, Replica Roman items from everyday life, pieces of actual ‘Finds’ from the Roman Town, a narrated recording of the Story of Roman Middlewich, a Roman Middlewich reference book and illustrations of what we consider the Middlewich area looked like.
A school visit by trained guides: To bring along some items from the community dig and enable children to see and handle archaeological finds.

We link into the history/local history curriculum and through the resources we encourage debate, questioning and listening skills. Related subjects include Science, Geography and Art & Design.

For further information and to book resources please contact: Kerry Kirwan BA (Hons), Heritage Development Officer,
Room 1 Victoria Building, Lewin Street, Middlewich. CW10 9AS 01606 833434
heritage@middlewich.org.uk