15 October 2002
Medieval tours to turn back time
A team at the University of Sheffield is 'rebuilding' some of Yorkshire's most famous ruins using a combination of new technology and painstaking historical research. The project will be formally launched by Professor Bob Boucher, the University's Vice-Chancellor on 22 October 2002, at an event attended by respected local figures including the Lord Mayor of Sheffield and Lord Scarbrough, Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire.
The Humanities Research Institute at the University is bringing the past to life by recreating local Cistercian abbeys on the web. Web surfers can go on virtual tours of the rebuilt buildings, learning about the Cistercian monks and their way of life in the 12th century.
The project is backed by the New Opportunities Fund's digitisation fund, which exists to provide valuable learning materials free of charge via the web.
The completed web site will focus on the history, life and architecture of the Cistercian order in Yorkshire, with virtual reconstructions of Fountains, Rievaulx, Byland, Roche and Kirkstall abbeys. It will also show what life was like for the local people living around the abbeys. The first phase, which went 'live' in September, focuses on the abbey church of Roche near Maltby, South Yorkshire
Dr Sarah Foot, Project Director says, This is an opportunity to experience the magnificent architecture in Yorkshire in a way that has not been possible since the Middle Ages. The site is designed to appeal to school students, undergraduates and people simply interested in learning more about the area during this fascinating period.
The Project is continuing and the final web site will not be completed until the end of 2004. The website can be viewed at www.cistercians.shef.ac.uk.
Notes for editors:
You are invited to the official launch of the project on 22nd October between 12.30 pm and 1.45 pm in the Tapestry Room, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN
The locations of the abbeys featured on the site are:
Fountains Abbey, Ripon
Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley
Byland Abbey, Wass
Roche Abbey, Rotherham
Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds
Grant awards from the New Opportunities Fund's £50 million nof-digitise programme were announced last year. The programme is helping to put information that supports lifelong learning into digitised form. The nof-digitise grant awardees are developing learning materials covering a wide range of topics including arts, science, history, geography, citizenship and community information for Internet access. Details on www.nof-digitise.org
The New Opportunities Fund distributes National Lottery money to health, education and environment projects across the UK with a particular focus on disadvantage and improving quality of life. The Fund supports sustainable projects that will: improve the quality of life of people throughout the UK; address the needs of those who are most disadvantaged in society; encourage community participation; and complement relevant local and national strategies and programmes.
For information on lottery funding opportunities across the UK contact: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
Telephone: 0845 275 0000
Textphone: 0845 275 0022
For further information: please contact Nigel Williamson email N.P.Williamson@sheffield.ac.uk, Tel: 0114 222 1121 or Lorna Branton, PR executive, on 0114 222 1046
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