Research Team Volunteers: Unearthing and Sharing Radcliffes Heritage

The Role Volunteers are sought who have an interest in heritage, good reading, writing and speaking skills in English and a desire to carry out research both online, from printed and published sources and using primary material in libraries and archives. Volunteers will be working with heritage consultants, an architectural historian and designers to undertake research that will be used to make the site more accessible and better understood by visitors. 1. Undertake research as part of a group about the Radcliffe Tower, St Marys Church, Bealeys bleach works and the de Radcliffe family 2. Work with the architectural historian through workshops to develop the stories about the site 3. The research may include surveys or transcription work, acquiring copy images, carrying out photography or recording living memory 4. Take part in (although not necessarily speak at) public talks to present the findings 5. Contribute to the final research document 6. Work with designers to use the research for new interpretation around the Radcliffe Tower site and for the new website and mobile phone App Training will be given in research and presentation skills as required. Introducing the project Radcliffe Tower is an ancient Pele tower which sits next to a beautiful old church and cemetery. The tower is now the only visible remains of a medieval manorial site once owned by the de Radcliffe family who also owned Ordsall Hall in Salford. The Radcliffe site can be traced back to before the Norman Conquest and was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. Both the tower and the church are Grade I listed buildings and the tower is also a scheduled ancient monument. The area is rich in industrial history and was home to Bealeys bleach works from the 18th century. Unearthing and Sharing Radcliffes Heritage, is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and is a partnership project between Bury Council, the University of Salford and Bury College which will involve local people in both archaeological investigation and research and then in presenting the historical information on sign panels, through exhibitions and guided talks and by putting the information that has been discovered onto the internet through a dedicated website and mobile phone App. There are a number of different volunteer opportunities which will provide a unique experience and the chance to get involved. We are looking for people who have an interest in the local history. The project is taking place between September 2013 and October 2014. This volunteer opportunity will happen between October 2013 and January 2014, some of the work will be self-led and training and meetings will be in Radcliffe during evenings or daytime. If you are interested in getting involved please send a letter outlining why you are interested and any relevant experience along with contact details (address, email and phone number) to:

info@headlanddesign.co.uk or Headland Design, Mill house, High St, Farndon CH3 6PT. If you would like more information or wish to discuss the project please call: 01829 271329