Published: Friday 17th May 2024 | 12.39pm
The Cannock Chase Heritage Trail has been brought to life using animation and audio with the launch of two new digital trails - Chase Tales and Hear Our Heritage.
The Cannock Chase Heritage Trail is a 10-mile route linking the towns of Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley. It passes through, or close to sites of historic or environmental interest, with interpretation panels along the way that tell the story of each location.
The new digital offer was unveiled recently at an official launch event which showcased the creation of the two digital trails along with a new trail leaflet and map. New interpretation panels and directional signage have also been installed along the route.
The Chase Tales Trail is suitable for families and brings to life the interpretation panels with the use of musical animations.
Content has been created by local schoolchildren alongside professional artists and the Birmingham Rep Theatre.
The audios have been created by writers, Rae Mainwaring and Aimee Berwick, with sound design by Clive Meldrum and performances by members of Tower Players and students from SUA Academy.
The Hear Our Heritage Trail is suitable for families and history enthusiasts who would prefer to listen to the interpretation panels rather than read them. An audio piece has been created for each and allows people to listen to the history whilst they walk along the trail.
The audios have been created by Tower Players.
Visitors can now take on the new trails via the Cannock Chase Can App where they will need to collect all the QR codes for each themed trail to complete a challenge and gain points and rewards for their efforts. The app is free to download from Google Play or the App Store.
Councillor John Preece, Portfolio Leader for Parks, Culture and Heritage said: “Intended to support a healthy lifestyle, the Cannock Chase Heritage Trail is a great facility for walkers and cyclists, offering walks and off-road cycle routes.
“The new digital trails will encourage families to visit the Trail by either walking or cycling the route and will also enhance the current ‘heritage offer’ for those with an interest in local history by bringing to life the information on the current interpretation boards.
“It has been great to see the number of people involved in this project and how the arts have helped bring to life the history in such a beautiful way. I hope families will now visit the trail to see what it has to offer”.
Louise Rose, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles said: “This project has been a wonderful way to celebrate our local history. Through illustration, animation, storytelling and a talented community cast, the stories of Dr Butter, Erskine Williams, tales of our town centres and more, capture the imagination. Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles has worked with artists and students to not only learn about their heritage but to develop skills that will support them in the future. This creative collaboration has achieved outstanding results, that everyone should be proud of”.
Birmingham Rep Senior Drama Practitioner, Robert Beck, said: “It has been a huge honour to be part of this wonderful project. Not only is it fantastic to be involved with something which showcases the Cannock Chase region so beautifully, I am proud of how much local talent Birmingham Rep has been able to support and foster.
“Working with West Midlands-based writers Rae Mainwaring and Aimee Berwick, students from Staffordshire University Academy, The Hart School and Kingsmead School, as well as local performers from the Tower Players, this truly is a project with the people of Cannock Chase at its heart.
“Through this project we have brought the rich history and heritage of the area to life and created something for the whole community to enjoy and be proud of for many years to come. I am so pleased Birmingham Rep have played a role in bringing this incredible project to fruition.”
These improvements have been funded by the Cannock Chase Cultural Education Partnership, Cannock Chase Council, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, National Landscapes and Forestry England.
For more information about the Cannock Chase Heritage Trail and to download a copy of the new map, visit https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/visitors/what-do/cannock-chase-heritage-trail