Amazing Archive from Knowle West comes to Bristol’s City Record Office

Release Date:  16-Jul-2008

‘The Amazing Archive group’ - a team of innovative, young researchers from the Knowle West Media Centre are set to revealed their new exhibition Back in the Day at Bristol’s City Record Office on Wednesday, 9 July. 

The exhibition is all about Knowle West, South Bristol - one of the most disadvantaged in the South West and in the bottom 10 per cent in the government’s deprivation indices. The exhibition features photography, illustration, sound and animation work.

The young people aged 13-16, all from the area, researched and produced the exhibition, which reveals the area’s rich heritage and strong sense of community.

The Amazing Archive group met weekly at the Knowle West Media Centre for the last nine months and were mentioned and guided by leading local historians, artists and local history experts. The group engaged with the local community, understanding their roots and heritage, uncovering oral histories, artefacts, stories and photos from the community of Knowle West.

 “Our group is creating a digital archive containing pictures and interviews from people living in Knowle West” said Habiba, aged 14, one of the Amazing Archive members. “At the Knowle West Media Centre we learnt lots of different things and produced animations.  I enjoyed meeting and interviewing people from around Knowle West. The group has helped me in many different ways like confidence building and getting along with all sorts of people.”

With the cultural offer high on the government’s agenda for young people, this exhibition demonstrates how young people can successfully engage in their history, community and culture. Back in The Day brings together a visual and cultural resource that aims to address common misconceptions of the area.

John Williams, Deputy Head of Bristol’s Museums, Galleries and Archives, said: “I know how hard the young people have worked on this project and they can be very proud of what they have achieved.
“It’s wonderful to see younger people enjoying finding out about their roots and the history of their community.  I’m delighted that the Record Office - the home of so much of the city’s history - has been chosen to host the exhibition and I know people from all over Bristol and from further afield will come to see it. I’m sure the exhibition will also inspire people of all ages to explore the history and heritage of their own community.“

The project is funded by the Young Roots Heritage Lottery Fund and has been supported in kind by Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives. 

Uncovering hidden histories and archives from communities in Bristol, such as the residents of Knowle West, is key to the development of the new city history museum on the harbourside (the former Industrial Museum site). Much work has already taken place with various community groups in the city to collect and record stories and objects to add to the new museum. Opening in 2011, the new world-class museum will bring the city’s colourful and fascinating history to life.

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