Children in Writtle will be looking at their village with closer interest in future, thanks to a launch of a heritage trail produced especially for six to 11 year olds.

The trail, in the form of an easy to read and well illustrated booklet, is the brainchild of Sue Bell, Wendy Hibbitt and Janice Benning who thought of the idea when they were writing a booklet last year on Writtle inns and pubs.

Funding for the project was obtained from the Rural Heritage Initiative Fund, with the help of the Rural Community Council for Essex.

Sue Bell said, "The guide is a companion to the already successful Local History Trail produced by Writtle Archives. The Writtle Children's Heritage Guide focuses on the built and natural environment around the village green, introducing terms such as Georgian faade and pargetting in the village context, which they may not have previously encountered.

"The trail is trying to increase children's awareness in the built form, which is an intrinsic part of our village heritage, but it includes quizzes and other items for the children to research to make this trail fun."

The trail booklet will be given to all children at Writtle Infant and Junior Schools and will also be available from Writtle library.

The trail will be officially launched at the Writtle Garden and Allotment Society's show taking place in Writtle Christian Centre on July 12, from 2 pm to 4pm.

Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003

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