Pupils revisit Victorian days

COLERAINE’S Diamond was a hive of activity when ten local schools congregated to participate in Victorian Coleraine, an event to mark the 150th anniversary of Coleraine Town Hall.

The aim of the event was also to provide pupils with a platform to creatively present their increased knowledge of Coleraine in Victorian times and newly acquired drama skills to the wider public.

The event was funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and Coleraine Borough Council and delivered by Causeway Museum Service in partnershipwith Big Telly Theatre Company.

On the day, the pupil’s arrived at the Town Hall in Victorian dress, where they interacted with professional actors, performers and with pupils from other schools.

They played Victorian games, sang Victorian songs and exchanged their characters’ tails of woe or fortune with each other and the public. The Work House Master on stilts was a particular favourite with the children as he tried to snatch them for his workhouse on the Mountsandel Road.

The Magician also provided great entertainment, as did two female acrobats with their balancing acts.

Helen Perry, Museum’s Officer with Causeway Museum Service, said: "It is wonderful to see the Town Hall’s event space being used in this way.”

The event was the finale of a wider project during which pupils received a living history tour of Coleraine Town Hall and Diamond and worked with Big Telly Theatre Company in drama workshops.

Actors from Heritage Stories delivered these living history tours and told the pupils of the Victorian trades and professions which had been based in the Diamond which included a watch maker, a bed/bike maker and an ‘ocular device’ merchant.

As part of the Victorian Coleraine project Causeway Museum Service has also been developing a schools Victorian loan box, which will be piloted in schools in the coming weeks.

It contains information on Coleraine at this time, many photographs and several curious Victorian objects as well as authentic Victorian costume. This loan box will be made available to community groups in the future.

For more information on accessing this Victorian learning resource call 70347235.