Year 8 Geography and History learners were immersed in activities around Bolton on Friday 10th March as part of their introduction into their project-based learning, ‘Bolton, Rewind and Regenerate’.

Learners were fully engaged in authentic and contemporary themes about Bolton including culture and diversity, housing and employment, leisure and entertainment and transport and the environment, which sparked curiosity and understanding of our town.

Despite the weather disruption, Groups One and Two visited Smithills Moor to explore the great outdoor space and worked with the Woodland Trust to learn about the industrial heritage and the importance of the area. This was followed up by working with Bolton Library Services and arts collective, Creatives Now, where learners had access to the social history department in addition to the archives and vaults. The use of microfilm and archive resources enabled learners to gain an understanding of what Bolton was like in the past and a focus on the 1930s Mass Observation materials of our town.

Group Four explored the contemporary industries at Logistics North and a tour and presentation at Aldi Distribution Centre. Learners and staff were blown away by the enormity and processes within the business – it is the largest Aldi Distribution Centre in the World!

A visit to Swan Lane Mills in Daubhill enabled learners to understand how and when ‘Cotton was King’ in Bolton and how the space is utilised today. A stop at Holden and Eagley Mills in North Bolton gave learners the opportunity to see how old industrial mill space can be regenerated into living space for people. Groups Three and Four visited the grand Victoria Halls of Bolton where they watched the ‘Fabric of Bolton’ film that was created in conjunction with Bolton Octagon and the people of Bolton who worked in the cotton industry at Swan Lane Mills. Their stories and contribution to our town is remarkable and a part of the rich heritage of Bolton.

Finally, Group Three explored the move of Bolton Wanderers Football Club from Burnden Park to its current location at the University of Bolton Stadium in Horwich, which is also a large part of the fabric of the Bolton community.

It was a wonderful day which sets the tone for the great work ahead and the use of the creative spaces in Crompton Place shopping centre during the week of 15th May 2023, when learners can exhibit their exploration of our town.

Many thanks to learners, staff and all outside agencies that contributed to such an inspirational day of learning!

Updated – Friday 29 May
For more information and images of our exhibition event at Crompton Place Shopping Centre, please click here