PAIGNTON LOCAL HISTORY BOOK: A COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
January 2025 saw the launch of Paignton – Our Home Town. What is distinctive is the collaboration between a local history society and a primary school. Paignton Heritage Society have worked with Oldway Primary in Paignton. Published by Silver Fox Publishing, the book is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils (7-11 years old). An 18-month collaboration starting in summer 2023 was helped by funding from the Local Heritage Grants Scheme, Torbay Council, Torbay Culture and the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark and some investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The production aimed to instil knowledge and pride in the local heritage. At the same time, there was a desire for an attractive educational resource that also took account of National Curriculum requirements and classroom needs. The end results was a readable text and high-quality visuals. The direct input from pupils led to features such as glossaries, timelines and maps.
It was launched with a presentation involving pupils to the local media, MP, deputy mayor, councillors, MAT trustees and heritage society members. There was also much press coverage including BBC Spotlight, local papers and social media. It was distributed initially to 10 primary schools, Paignton Library, Torquay Museum and Paignton Parish Church. Although not technically for sale, a big demand has resulted in a second print run of 300 being planned.
There has been considerable follow up including taking children to present at a local theatre to history groups, civic society, English Heritage, museum, library, community groups and media. They will also attend a local author group meeting at Paignton Library in March 2025. Also planned in an event at the local Picture House Trust – another major local initiative restoring and reopening one of the earliest purpose built cinemas frequently attended by Agatha Christie.
Building on this success, there is a plan to follow up with a collaborative venture on a World War 2 themed booklet for classrooms covering Torbay. The Heritage Society are coming into school to talk about what a historian is and there are plans to set up a junior heritage group at the local library.
There have been many benefits – positive publicity for the school and society, staff enthusiasm and interest, enhancement of the curriculum, pupil commitment, broadening community contacts beyond history and links across generations – average 60 year gaps between the historians and pupils. It is also given some pride in a fairly deprived area.
