Use map to see town in new light
Artists Katy Hawkins and Ellie Shipman have created a series of special cards and a map with local people, working together to capture the features, stories and memories that make a town special.
High Street Explorations is part of the Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), a partnership with Historic England, Bath & North East Somerset Council and Keynsham Town Council.
The cards have been designed to inspire exploration, reflection and adventure. The map highlights some of Keynsham’s many historic moments and present-day curiosities and the cards prompt questions about its future.
Together, the map and cards aim to stimulate discussion and to encourage visitors and residents to take a new journey of discovery around familiar spaces. There’s no limit on the way the resources can be used – from plotting new walking routes to inspiring creative projects or community workshops. And you can add your photos, memories and stories to a supersized map in the Temple Street Canteen to create a permanent record of High Street Explorations or post your responses and discoveries on the interactive map on the brand new Hikeynsham website at www. hikeynsham.co.uk. Ellen Harrison, head of creative programmes and campaigns at Historic England, said: “High Street Explorations is a fabulous way for everyone in Keynsham to celebrate their local history and learn something new about the familiar sights on their local high street. We hope that seeing the high street with fresh eyes will lead to exciting conversations about aspirations for its future.” Artist Katy Hawkins added: “We are excited about the cards and map and feel they can work in lots
of ways, from inspiring local explorations, supporting mindful wanders to triggering acts of creativity.
“Above all, we hope they will be a starting point for discussion. We’d be really interested to hear if and how they work for you.”
Deb Cooper, Keynsham town councillor, said: “We hope these cards will be enjoyed by all, and will engage you to think about the High Street in a new and different way. By understanding and imagining its history, and who walked this area before, we are hoping everyone will be inspired to help us create our future culture. Let’s create a multi-layer and exciting area to come together in.”
Physical copies of the map and cards can be collected from Temple
Street Canteen at 20 Temple Street or if a school or large community group, by emailing KEYNSHAMHSHAZ@BATHNES.GOV.UK
Alternatively, you can download digital copies from the Hikeynsham website (www.hikeynsham. co.uk). High Street Explorations is part of Twin Towns, a programme of creative commissions to unofficially ‘twin’ towns in which artists work with local people to uncover what they have in common.
It is part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zones Cultural Programme led by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund and aimed at helping people feel proud of where they live.