Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
Amazing Accrington
There’s No Place Like It! say Hyndburn Park Primary School
Hyndburn Park Primary School is the second school in Accrington this year to learn about the history on their doorstep through a bespoke film. Developed and produced as part of the Heritage Lottery funded Town Square project, the film, “Amazing Accrington” uses a combination of film shot in July 2016, archive images and animation to bring to life Accrington’s rich heritage, famous people and achievements.
The film begins with the contribution to the global textile industry of Frederick Gatty, and the children take centre stage in Gatty Park, Frederick’s former home, just five minutes’ walk from the school.
The film is supported by additional digital resources, session plans, and activity suggestions which support the school’s Geography and History curriculum.
From Gatty Park, the film charts the changes in the Accrington landscape over the last 500 years, before showcasing other famous Accrington achievers such as textile printer Robert “Parsley” Peel, Ron Hill, runner and textile chemist, and John Rex Whinfield, the inventor of Terylene. Viewers are then taken into the town centre along Blackburn Road, looking at more recent changes from the 1960s right up to the present day. Finally, children are invited to consider what changes they would like to see in the town.