24/7/2006 - It's a wrap for North Cumbria's historical gems

People in North Cumbria are being asked to take a hands-on role in the preservation of the area’s long and colourful history.

Cumbria County Council’s Archives Service is looking for volunteers to help re-wrap thousands of historical items in anticipation of   their move from Carlisle Castle to a new purpose built archives office in Petteril Bank. 

In a separate initiative, people in Carlisle are being asked to come forward with any memories, old photographs and other records they may have of the Petteril Bank area over the years. The Archives Service wants detailed plans for the new high-tech records office, which are due for final submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in December, to reflect the history of the site it will soon occupy .

Earlier this year the HLF agreed in principal to provide £4.79 million towards a new 21st Century archives centre in Carlisle – the largest grant the fund has ever awarded in Cumbria.

It is hoped that work on the Petteril Bank site can begin next year and the new archives centre opened to the public in 2009.

Some of the historical treasures in the collection include the Royal Charter of the City of Carlisle from 1316 which bears the seal of Edward II, the medieval monarch who locked swords with Mel Gibson’s character in the Hollywood blockbuster Braveheart. The Charter sets out the rules for governing the city and includes the right for citizens of the day to hold a market.

It has been estimated that if laid end to end the entire collection, which includes a wealth of information on the day to day lives of people in North Cumbria over the centuries, would stretch over 3 miles. 

Councillor Roger Bingham, the Cabinet member responsible for the county’s Archives Service, said: “Moving more than one million historical records is an enormous task and we are asking local people with an interest in North Cumbria’s past to help us in what will undoubtedly be a fascinating, once in a lifetime experience.

“We already know a great deal about the collection thanks to the dedicated work of the county council’s archivists but there is always a chance that as part of the moving process someone will uncover a long-forgotten historical gem."

Councillor Bingham continued: “By giving people in Carlisle the chance to help shape the final plans for the city’s new archives centre with their own unique memories and records of Petteril Bank over the years, we can help to make sure its roots are firmly planted in the area.”

People who volunteer to help catalogue and re-wrap Carlisle archive office’s historical records will receive full training and will have the chance to learn new skills. As part of the condition of the HLF award, the Archives Service has agreed to re-package 75 per cent of the documents it holds in modern special protective materials which will help ensure they are preserved for centuries to come .

For more information on how to volunteer for this unique project, or to share memories and records of the Petteril Bank Area before final plans for the new centre are submitted to the the HLF in December 2006, people can contact the County Council's Archives Service on 01228-607285.

Notes for Editors

1 .The Carlisle office of the Archive Service is currently based at Carlisle Castle, its home for the past 44 years. The service has outgrown its accommodation at the Castle and a new home is needed.

2. The site of the former Cumbria Workshops for the Blind at Lady Gillford House, Petteril Bank, Carlisle, was chosen as the preferred site for the new Public Records Office after an extensive review of potential sites by Cumbria County Council in 2004. The house is a Grade 2 listed building. The site itself is owned by Cumbria County Council.

3. The application for funding to HLF is for up to £4.79 million. The remainder of the total project cost of £6.34 million is being met by Cumbria County Council (£1.25 million), other grants, donations and 'in kind' contributions.  

4. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up the nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. HLF has supported more than 16,600 projects, allocating over £3.3 billion across the UK.