Bruton's Famous History Set To Go Digital

State of the art equipment will be used to preserve Bruton's history after the town's action group were awarded a £27,100 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It means that volunteers from Bruton The Way Forward will be able to create a digital, online museum archive, giving the community and international visitors an interactive insight into the town's famous history.

The idea has been backed by the district council, Bruton Museum, Bruton Town Council, the local development trust, history societies and five local schools, who will be using the archive as a learning resource. Libraries, museums and heritage centres will also link to the new site.

Annette Pitman, Bruton the Way Forward ex-Chair who sponsored the project said: "We are extremely pleased that we have secured this funding to celebrate and conserve our fascinating heritage using 21st century technology.

"The idea is to create a virtual museum, where people can watch interviews, hear people's memories of the town, see ancient documents and artefacts found in the area.

"Not only will visitors be able to uncover Bruton's history, from pre-Roman times, through the Saxon times and beyond, but we will also be able to add to the online collection by interviewing people who live here or visit here now."

Bruton is famed for its Camelot and King Arthur connections, with its mediaeval bartons, 15th century dovecote and ancient architecture.

Anna Groskop, SSDC ward member said: "We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the £12,500 from South Somerset District Council.

"We are confident the project will not only support young people to be active citizens with pride in their Bruton Heritage, but people of every age in the community will capture memories and artefacts with modern techniques instead of losing these wonderful memories and records."

Explaining the importance of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) support, the head of the HLF in the South West, Nerys Watts,said: "This is an excellent project for the people of Bruton and Somerset. As well as the vast collection of skills they will develop, this in-depth look at their own heritage will help give them a greater sense of identity.

"Bruton has always been a hidden gem in of the South West area, now this project helps raise its profile once again, making the past accessible to local people and those from further afield alike."

The schools linking with the project are Bruton School for Girls, Bruton Primary School, King's School, Meadow School and Sexeys School.

Photo: here