HERIAN News

An international expert renowned for his ability to make history come alive is set to help South Wales tell the story of its glorious industrial past in a new and colourful way.

(front) James Carter (back) Jonathan Jones with members of HERIAN

Consultant and trainer James Carter, a specialist in interpretive writing, is guiding Welsh organisations who are working in the heritage arena on how to present stories and relics of that golden era in a way that grabs people's imagination and draws visitors to their areas.

Mr Carter who has run workshops for the team responsible for the multi-million pound re-development of Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow, and more recently working on a museum due to open in Shetland next year, has been invited by HERIAN – Heritage In Action to advise some of Wales' most well known heritage initiatives on interpreting the stories of industrial South Wales in a way which engages and enthrals.

Bringing together representative from Cadw, Groundwork Trust, Torfaen County Borough Council , Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, freelance interpreters and National Museum Wales (NMW), more than 200 sites of industrial significance are now set to benefit from James' twenty years' experience.

Jonathan Jones, Director of Tourism and Marketing at Visit Wales said: “Our historic attractions are one of the most popular activities for visitors to Wales. Bringing to life the heritage assets of Wales through deeper understanding of people, places, events and objects is vitally important in preserving our past, creating a sense of national pride, and encouraging more tourism.

“HERIAN has made great strides in coordinating and pioneering better interpretation schemes in South Wales. The next stage is to further raise our game and skills to tell the whole story of a unique legacy that is yet to be fully harnessed.”

The written presentation of industrial heritage assets is part of HERIAN's wider Interpretive Plan to develop the heritage of industrial South Wales that includes artwork, walking routes, sculpture trails, educational facilities and lifelong learning opportunities.

James Carter is advising delegates from HERIAN's Partnership organisations on how effective writing for exhibition panels, information points, memorials, websites and leaflets can be used to paint a picture of days gone that will attract and excite all kinds of visitors, as well as provoking a sense of pride,.

“South Wales has around 230 heritage assets worthy of interpretation and this is really just scratching at the surface”, said James Carter. “It's important that life during the industrial revolution is presented in such a way that it leaves visitors with a real sense of what it was like at the time, and of what the industrial revolution meant to south Wales and the world. This is where language, images and overall presentation comes into play - it's an art form in its own right, and a skill that needs to be developed so people leave sites of industrial significance in Wales thinking they are truly fascinating places.”

Since 2003, more than £18m has been invested by HERIAN Partners in improved interpretation and related access infrastructure projects and a further £13m have been identified for implementation over the next few years.

Jeff Pride, Director of HERIAN - Heritage in Action Partnership Coordinating Team said: “We're confident that the new skills acquired will help out Partners improve the telling of the industrial South Wales story and deliver long term economic benefits. In addition we are also working with small community groups across South Wales to encourage and support them in bringing forward smaller scale heritage projects which will contribute to the telling of the story. Together these smaller scale projects will combine with larger HERIAN partner initiatives to present the 'big picture' of our fascinating and ground breaking industrial era.