Project Showcase Battle of 910 AD: Aethelflaed

Over the last few weeks the project team have been making lots of progress including making invaluable contacts with historians, archaeologists and further interested stakeholders.  We have also received a range of really positive responses from across the district, in response to our online project feedback survey.  Responses, have conveyed an overall positive community  support for a project of this nature.  A big thankyou, to all who have already completed our survey!  We hope to continue gathering this feedback and your ideas through evaluating response and holding discussions.. Link to survey can be found on the tabs below.

Funding

We currently have no funding for a project of this nature so we are now in the process of working hard to prepare our funding applications for submission.  Through informed discussions with stakeholders and the project lead's research we have identified appropriate funding bodies to apply to.   We have formulated a detailed project proposal and cost break down to support each application (this can be viewed in full via the link button below).  

Our first funding submission will support  'The Development Phase' of the project 

(submission November 2024).

Funding applications are for the development and commissioning stages of the project : 

The Severn Trent Community Trust Fund (Nov 2024), notification of success, if submission made outcome will be by January 2025

https://www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/severn-trent-community-fund/

The Arts Council

'The Healthy Communities Together Programme'  (Heritage Lottery),  this fund in particular encourages projects that have a 'well being impact'

https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/the-healthy-communities-together-programme

We are urgently seeking a sponsor however to secure a 10% 'match funding' of whole project costs in order to apply to Severn Trent.

We have also reached out to some immediate contacts and potential funders at Wolverhampton City Council including  including the ' The Mayor's Fund'.  We are awaiting responses currently.

Project Lead - Rebecca Cresswell, held a productive meeting with Catherine Perry, Development Officer for Wolverhampton Council in Sept 24.  Catherine and her team have a project plan and funding to develop the Smestow Valley Railway Walk (Enhance Protect/Promote Project).  Although, there is no funding allocation towards art and funding of our separate historical trail .  Catherine offered her time and critical advice and guidance regarding sponsors and other potential funding streams.  'The Smestow Valley' regeneration project has secured funding from the Heritage Lottery fund.  Therefore, we are actively looking to source funding from alternative routeways in the first instance.

Exploring the Archaeology 

We have already received some potentially exciting responses from historians.

After reaching out to 'celebrity' historian Michael Wood about our project, we received a really positive response.  Michael was supportive of this project and 'wishes to be kept in the loop'.  He is supportive of the history behind the project aims  and is coincidently launching another  book about The Lady Aethelflaed.

We also may have even more exciting news coming very soon surrounding collaborative discussions with a certain archaeological TV show.  Contact has initially been made and we will update you all soon! 

Museum and Venue Hire Updates

We have now drafted an email to senior directors at Severn Trent, this is regarding a proposal for  the usage of their beautiful  'Severn Trent building' which is currently empty.  The building is  located near Tettenhall Village and has been vacant for some time.  We have sent a copy of the project proposal and cost for their consideration. We are currently awaiting a response. (Oct 2024)

There is a requirement to have discussions about the viability of any community intended space.

We are also continuing to explore further venue considerations to hold a dedicated exhibition