Young people in Salford will be swapping pen and paper for hammers and chisels for a ‘vantastic’ new approach to history.
The group of traveller and non traveller children will be building a full size Irish travellers wagon after Salford City Council and Salford Museum and Art Gallery won £50,000 in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The project will be led by Irish traveller Patrick ‘Paddy’ Ward who has built his own wagon in the past and was keen to pass on the traditional skills involved as well as countering misunderstanding and myths about the travelling community.
Councillor Lisa Stone, lead member for children’s and young people’s services said: “The old wagons or vardos as some called them were masterpieces of design and construction with beautifully carved and decorated woodwork and lavish hand-made furnishings inside.
“When Paddy suggested building a wagon, we thought it was a great way for young people from a wide range of backgrounds to learn new skills and all about the history and customs of the travelling community.
“We were delighted to get a full grant from the Young Roots Heritage Lottery Fund. The whole process of making the wagon will be captured in an educational DVD and teaching pack for schools.
“When finished the wagon will be displayed in an exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery and will tour local schools.”
Patrick ‘Paddy’ Ward, whose family come from the West of Ireland but who has lived in Salford for the last four years said: “My parents and my grandparents, my wife’s parents and grandparents lived in a wagon and I’ve lived in them too. I train horses to pull them so I have a big interest in them.
“It’s all in the head; there are no plans. I’ve made wagons before, learning from my father, so we’ll get the timber and decide where to make the cuts. We’ll build it from the ground upwards. It all comes naturally.”
Up to 15 young people will be able to work on the van at any one time. Pupils from Albion High School and Salford City Council’s Ethnic Minority and Travellers Achievement Service (EMTAS) as well as young people from the council’s youth service have already signed up.
The plan is to build a wagon in the style favoured by renowned vardo builder Bill Wright (1844-1909) of Leeds who became famous for his bow top wagons. One of his ledge wagons is on show at York Castle Museum.
