My 'Wellbeing Before Christmas' Walk - Sunday 17th December

Click images in order to enlarge

With all the hubbub of Christmas shopping I thought it would be a good idea to offer a relaxed walk around the inner North Norwich area, exploring some of the many 'hidden' heritage sites/sights it the area around Magdalen Street has to offer. As we go, I will be talking about some ways in which we can 'use' heritage spaces like these to:

• Slow our minds down a little
• Activate the range of our senses to 'see' our city in a different light
• Create a different sense of connection and belonging with our city's past
• Develop our own personal wellbeing maps

The Wellbeing Walk starts at 11am. However, I will be in the warmly welcoming Sahara Cafe from 10:30am onwards if you wish to join me for a cuppa before we set off. 

Tickets cost £5 per person and all the proceeds go towards supporting the Magdalen Walks community history group. Email me to book your place via howeychoosetouseit@gmail.com I look forward to meeting you in person!

A Feast of Food & History! Sunday 23rd July

© Nick Stone, 2017 - Thanks to Nick for granting us permission
to share his brilliant 'ghost' photography.

On Sunday 23rd July Colin Howey of Magdalen Walks will be leading a food/drink themed walk exploring some of the fascinating  history, archaeology and heritage of the Magdalen Street area. 

This will last just over an hour - long enough to work up an appetite! 

Happily, we will finish the walk at the Silver Road Community Centre where members of our 'sister' group, Magdalen Eats', will be cooking up a great BBQ. 

Come along for a feast of history and food - a real taste of what the community of Norwich Over The Water has to offer!

Date: 
Sunday 23rd July.

Assembly Point: 
Sahara Café, Magdalen Street (opposite Anglia Square).

Start time and duration: 
Although the walk leaves the lovely Sahara Café at 11am I would encourage all participants to come and have a drink before we move off. Café opens at 10:30am. The walk will last no more than an hour and a quarter. 

Cost:
£5.90 per person

Payment methods:

EITHER...

You can pay in cash on the day. However, if this is your preferred option, please can you book places via Colin so that we have an indication of how many people to expect.

OR...

Alternatively, you can pay in advance via Eventbrite

Magdalen Walks: 'The Nature of the North City' with Ernie Woodrow

In this film Ernie shares his love of nature and why it’s important to him. It’s amazing what you can see in green spaces around Magdalen Street – it’s all about knowing where to look...

For details about Ernie's walk on October 8th please see below:

To enlarge, please click on image

Viking Norwich - the defences and heart of Northwic'

In this short film Magdalen Walks member, Trevor Nuthall, gives us a glimpse of the 'hidden' history of Viking Norwich. If you wish to learn more, Trevor will be offering a tour of Viking Norwich on the day of the Magdalen Festival on Saturday 8th October (time and assembly point to be confirmed). 

Our thanks go to photographer and writer, Nick Stone, for agreeing to let the Magdalen Walks project share his images of North Norwich. Please explore his website here:
Invisible Works

Heritage: the Power of Playfulness

© Ragged Society of Antiquarian Ramblers, 2002
Eek! Young people at a heritage site! The Gunton Dandy

As those of you who have been attending the Magdalen Walks project will have gathered by now, I like to be relaxed and playful (in the right places) in my approach to heritage. Because of my personal story, I am interested in outreach and engagement, and it is my view that too much of the heritage sector is too earnest, elitist and pompous. Because some of my work has been around engaging young offenders and excluded pupils units with history, I know something about the challenges of relating something that can seem abstract and 'stuffy' to people. I don't dumb down the ideas, but I will invent games, activities and use humour to relate the past with the present. Being playful isn't only about energising and engaging audiences, it is - in my view - a key part of wellbeing. Over the past few years I have taken this philosophy and made some new things; heritage-inspired ventures that have taken on a life of their own and seem to be meaningful and fulfilling to people. 

One of these 'projects' is The Ragged Society of Antiquarian Ramblers: 'a creative collective of friends who are inspired by historic sites, quirky spaces, a love of laughter - and cake!' I have been told that our blog is one of the most popular heritage blogs in Britain, with around a quarter a million hits thus far. 

I am a writer for the Heritage Open Days national blog and wrote a piece about the background to the Ragged Ramblers and thought that you Magdalen Walkers might be interested in taking a glimpse into this world:

Playful Heritage

I'm not proposing that the Magdalen Walks project takes the Ragged Ramblers' model as its template, but I would encourage people to experiment and be playful with the heritage in our community. I can tell you, it can be a very rewarding experience! 

My friend Paul as Queen Victoria in Stiffkey Church, Norfolk

Norwich Over the Water

Eighteenth century prospect of north
Norwich, centred on St Clement's Church

This morning volunteers interested in researching and promoting the history, heritage and archaeology of the north of city will be gathering at The Stage along St Augustines. I will be helping to facilitate this project, which we are calling 'Magdalen Walks'. As well as working together to research our area, by late Spring 2016 we will be offering tours of Norwich 'Over The Water'. Walking is a key part of our venture, and this is about encouraging curiosity, discovery and physical and mental health. In addition, we will be working with BBC Voices to make a series of films showcasing this historic heart of Norwich. 

Having lived in the north of the city for 23 years now, getting the opportunity to help promote the history, heritage and archaeology of 'my patch' really excites me! If you're interested in getting involved, email me on howeychoosetouseit@gmail.com. 

Colin Howey

Freelance Heritage Interpretation Trainer