It’s a small world for model students who have created miniature versions of a town’s historic buildings for a fun trail.
As part of Great Yarmouth’s ten day arts festival dolls’ house sized replicas of eight well-known Great Yarmouth buildings have been created by pupils at Cliff Park Ormiston Academy.
They will be placed inside the landmarks for a trail between June 8 and 17 which the students hope will lead children into discovering the heritage around them.
The models have been made through laser cutting wood and cardboard, then painted by students, who are making mini versions of: the Minster, St George’s Theatre, Fishermen’s Hospital, Tolhouse, Nelson Museum, Elizabethan House, Time and Tide Museum and the Town Hall.
Vice-principal Zoe Cameron said the idea sprang from a talk given to governors by Hugh Sturzaker who is chairman of the Civic Society and the Arts Festival.
“We have so many beautiful historic buildings in town, we wanted to do a trail that helped other youngsters discover them,” she explained. “Our students have learned about local heritage and are very proud to bring it to life for the festival.”
Youngsters are also “adopting” two streets King Street and Deneside to look at ways to improve them through a litter pick and ideas such as art and planting schemes. It will include trialling ideas in virtual reality though Minecraft computer adventure game technology, added Mrs Cameron.
Mr Sturzaker said the models were “fantastic” and a great way of getting families to discover the rich heritage that existed around Great Yarmouth which people did not always appreciate.
“One of the aims of the festival is to celebrate heritage – as well as music, drama and art – and it is marvellous to see these young people getting involved with real enthusiasm.”
The festival also includes a local history fair at St George’s Theatre on June 9 from 10-4, a circus memorabilia trail around town centre shops from the beginning of May and a series of guided heritage walks on June 10,12,14 and 17 ranging from the medieval town hall to fishing history.
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