Documenting Burley

Burley still has a rich heritage of buildings in many styles. Children from Rosebank Primary School are are keen to record and preserve evidence of Burley's history. For example, Burley Branch library was built in 1926 and is still in use today!

If you have favourite places and memories of Burley, and would like to share your stories and old photos with the children, do let us know. http://www.rosebank.leeds.sch.uk/

We are making a film!

Although the project only started a couple of weeks ago, what a great experience the Burley Champions are already having! With help from workshop leader, Meena Jeewa, and filmmaker, Simon Collins, the children have already learned a lot about oral history interview techniques and about how to record them using state of the art video cameras and sound recording equipment. Our first interviewee was local resident, Mr. Mubashar Khwarazmi, who inspired the children with stories about his own life and memories of Burley.

If you or members of your family have memories of Burley, do get in touch with the school (0113 243 3497)  - you may end up in our film!

 

Thoughts from our funder!!

In a recent press release, Fiona Spiers, who is Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Yorkshire and the Humber, kindly said this about our project:

“The Burley Champions project will enable young people to explore their local heritage and discover the fascinating stories behind the buildings and communities in the Burley area. This project will give them a host of new skills, boost their confidence and create a sense of place in their community and with their peers.”

We are glad she is excited about the project - we are too!!   In fact no matter where we look, we keep realising how special Burley's heritage is - just look at the lovely detailing on this building next to the school!

Thank you Heritage Lottery Fund!

Head teacher Gill Young is delighted at the outcome of the school's funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund:

“This project gives our students a unique opportunity to learn new skills and get actively involved in researching and preserving local history. Burley is a very interesting and historic place. As you can see from the photos, our school building is itself a local landmark and dates back to the 1870’s. 

Burley is a very diverse area reflecting the fact that many people from the Caribbean and Asian subcontinent came to live here in the 1950s and 1960s to work in local mills, with new communities arriving more recently from Eastern Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. We hope that local residents will come forward to be interviewed and bring their memorabilia to show the children.”

Burley's rich heritage

Burley was shaped by the Industrial Revolution as the rapid growth of mills and other industrial buildings along the river Aire led to an influx of workers who settled in the area. The area, which is characterised by densely packed, red brick Victorian terraced houses, has become home to communities and people from many different parts of the world. 

Introduction to Burley Champions

With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, children from Rosebank Primary School in Leeds are going to make an oral history film, interviewing older people with memories of old Burley. 

The project will capture the history of the area through their lived experiences and stories. A group of pupils (the Burley Champions) are being trained to do oral history interviews, asking questions about the area and how it has changed. 

The film will promote the history of Burley locally and worldwide!  There will be a film premiere at the historic Hyde Park Picture House and DVD’s of the film will be distributed to all the families in school and local organisations with an interest in the history of Burley. 

Information from the project will also be featured on a world famous history website, History Pin (www.historypin.com).

Post up your memories of Burley here and share your old photos and stories with us!