Students from Mid Cheshire College’s Foundation Degree Graphics Department have researched, designed and delivered media projects to encourage people to get out and enjoy the landscape and history connected to Cheshire’s salty past.
The materials from the Saltscape Digital Media project delivered by the students, with the support of MakoEducation, aim to help local people and visitors to the area to get out and explore this little-known landscape. It’s all part of the Saltscape Landscape Partnership, funded by the National Lottery’s Heritage Lottery Fund, which is a three year project to protect, enhance, restore and celebrate the salt landscape of the Weaver Valley. Projects under its banner include restoration of towpaths and waterway structures, improving local wildlife habitats such as grasslands and ancient woodlands, reviving rural skills and recording the memories and experiences of people who worked in the salt industry.
Hannah Petrie, Communications Officer for Saltscape said, “The students embraced the challenge of delivering for a real client producing some fantastic, viable outcomes and demonstrating a professional level of communication and commitment. The finished pieces include everything from materials for families and children, ideas for themed events involving the community, to digital media productions, maps and photography that really represent the broad range of historic sites and exciting activities people can experience in the Weaver Valley. The brief has given the students the chance to learn skills used in the classroom in a ‘real world’ context.”
Richard Hollywood, Principal at Mid Cheshire College said “I am immensely proud of the students who have worked so hard on this community project. Our students are given these opportunities to ensure that they leave College work ready. Setting them apart from other candidates who have not had such exposure makes them more attractive to potential employers or indeed supports them should they choose to take their learning further.”
It’s hoped that some of the projects will now be specially commissioned and used as a resource for all of the organisations that make up the Saltscape Landscape Partnership.
