AN impressive display which showcases the rich history of three streets in Whitehaven town centre has been unveiled.
The Historic Streets project by Whitehaven Heritage Action Group has seen three large display boards erected at the end of Roper Street.
Each of the three boards represent and interpret the history of an individual street in the vicinity - Roper Street, Queen Street and Irish Street.
Speaking at an unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, Michael Moon, chairman of WHAG, said: “These magnificent screens are a history lesson on boards. There’s so much history on them.
“This is a town where history was made for hundreds of years. There isn’t a place in town where you could turn a stone over and find something.
“This is something we are all incredibly proud of.”
Margaret Crosby, secretary of WHAG said: “We think they look quite splendid. The heritage group hopes the public, both local people and visitors to the town will find them appealing, enlightening and interesting.”
Charles Maudling, mayor of Whitehaven, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. They look like 3D. It really depicts the history of Whitehaven. The flower beds enhance it.”
The boards were ‘gifted’ to the heritage group back in 2018 by the former Whitehaven in Bloom organiser the late Henry Wormstrup who was also a WHAG member for many years and was keen for the group to use them in some way.
Their original artwork had become faded and outdated.
WHAG decided to use them for some sort of new display, more relevant to the history of the town but were mindful that funding would be needed to carry the project forward.
In the spring of 2020, Whitehaven Town Councillor Charles Maudling gave the group a £1,000 donation from his Ward Fund allocation towards the scheme and arrangements were made to have the large metal frames uplifted, shot blasted and powder coated in a black finish. The Forge at Cleator carried out this work.
Content research into the various historical connections for each street was carried out by the secretary, Margaret Crosby, assisted by heritage supporter Hilary Scott.
Sourcing images proved quite a challenge. Local artist Natalie Burns’ watercolour paintings of Whitehaven’s period streets have given the boards a lift.
John Barnes at Ink Design & Print at Haig Enterprise Park was enlisted to do the layout and manufacture of the boards.
READ MORE: Gulliver’s Travels mural in Whitehaven gets a makeover
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here