Welsh Communities are remembering the past, in order to build the future

200 People from communities in Gwynedd, and the surrounding rural environs of Bangor University are being invited to participate in a project that will allow them to map the past, present and future of their communities. The participants will include members of society whose voices are not often heard, for example young people, the elderly and the disabled. The findings will be shared with local planning and development agencies.

The leader of the project Dr Eifiona Elisabeth Thomas Lane from Bangor University said:

‘We will ask participants to describe different aspects of their community, be they physical, visible features, for example their local school, or pub, or perhaps socio-economic factors, such as poverty, language or community.’

‘We will then ask people to work back from the present, and to try to understand how these things came into being in the landscape, in the community and in their consciousness. We will ask them to look back to when they were young – which involves an important role for older members of the community, and describe how things were at that time, and how things have changed.’

Through this work, Dr Thomas Lane is hoping it will be possible to create a historical picture rooted in the neighbourhood, which will outline local as well as global factors which have affected the environmental, social and economic development of the community throughout history. This process will create opportunities for the participants to learn about each other, and undertake research together.

Dreaming of Creating a Vision – The Future

During the second phase of the process, participants will be encouraged to use their imagination, and describe how they would like to see their community in the next 10, 50, 100 years.

Dr Thomas Lane says:

‘We anticipate quite different versions of the future being presented, and one important part of the facilitation team’s work will be to negotiate a version acceptable to everyone involved. Then, based on this vision, an action plan will be developed and agreed allowing the community to begin to work towards realising the vision.’

This project will allow communities to plan how to make the most of their resources. They will look at local issues such as fuel poverty in the community, maintenance of vital services, and they will discuss how to create a local economy which will be fairer and better balanced in terms of priorities. The project aims to draw communities together, improve understanding of history amongst different groups, and encourage innovative ideas for a lower carbon future.

One of the objectives of this project would be to promote and trial ways for communities to reduce emissions, promote their local economy, and maintain the community and range of local traditions and cultures.

The project aims to work with Community Councils, One Voice, Planning Aid Wales, Mantell Gwynedd, and Gwynedd Council.

Interesting Links

One Voice

Planning Aid Wales

Mantell Gwynedd

Gwynedd Council

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