The ‘Trading Places’ Heritage Project
‘Trading Places’ began in October 2013 and is a 4 year project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project provides a unique programme of activities and events in the Nene Valley, working with the villages and towns from Wellingborough to Thrapston.
‘Trading Places’ has a focus on the local trades, skills and lives of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and involves re-enactors, storytellers, crime historians and traditional crafts people to help local communities and schools to connect with, enjoy and understand the history of their local area.
An important element of the project’s work has been to set up a traditional skills training programme for young unemployed people from the area; giving them opportunities and experiences that they can build upon. An oak ‘Training Barn’ was constructed at Stanwick Lakes in early 2014 and is now the venue for a range of traditional skills courses; the programme provides training in Blacksmithing, Shoe Making, Green Woodworking, Basketry and Dry Stone Walling. Please visit the Trading Places website for details of courses we offer for the public.
