Ormiston SWB Academy celebrates Bilston memories with legacy book
Ormiston SWB Academy has stepped back in time with local heritage project to capture the school’s history for generations to come.
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The academy, part of Ormiston Academies Trust, has launched a legacy project to reach back in time and connect to the former schools that stood on its site, helping to preserve key cultural memories.
The unique initiative, entitled ‘A High School Heritage’, is centred around collecting the memories, stories, and artefacts from former staff and pupils at two former schools, Bilston High School, formerly Hall Green and Stonefield High School, and Parkfield High School.
Across two years, students and staff at Ormiston SWB Academy, led by the Head of Performing Arts, Gareth Kibby, have been speaking to former students and gathering anecdotes and artefacts which represent the rich heritage of their community.
These priceless memories have now been collated into a book and a series of films for the public to enjoy.
The heritage project was completed in conjunction with Peter RALi Studios, managed by heritage consultant Peter Ralley, and made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
By collecting these personal histories, the project protects Bilston stories and legacies from being lost to time and preserves the memories of thousands of students who passed through the school doors.
Dan Mason, Principal at Ormiston SWB Academy, said: “This has been a great project and provided an important platform for our staff and former students to share their memories.
“I can’t thank Gareth Kibby and Peter Ralley enough for their work to bring this initiative to life.”