Animations bring heritage trail to life

Illustrator Ruth Allen (left) joined the project to create new heritage trail boards

A heritage trail on Cannock Chase has been brought to life through animations and songs.

By scanning QR codes along the 10-mile (16km) route, cyclists and walkers can hear stories of past residents as part of the project involving local artists, actors and school pupils.

The trail includes an audio account of the area's history, as well as stories about a Cannock doctor with his own exotic menagerie and mining families who worked in the collieries.

The trail opened in 2008 through Heritage Lottery Funding and links Rugeley, Hednesford and Cannock.

Cannock Chase Council and leisure services provider Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles teamed up with professional artists, local schools and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to create the Chase Tales Trail, while members of Tower Players worked on the audio tracks for Hear Our Heritage.

New interpretation panels and direction signs have been installed along the route and a new trail leaflet and map has also been created.

Residents and artists involved in the project celebrated the launch of the new trail features at Rugeley’s Rose Theatre on Friday

“In 2022 we had the Commonwealth Games and one of the events, the mountain biking event, was held here," councillor John Preece, portfolio leader for parks, culture and heritage, said.

"It was a wonderful day and we felt we needed a lasting legacy.

“This project develops a legacy with the Cannock Chase Heritage Trail. We are bringing it to life with a digital element and it is an exciting development.”

Birmingham Rep senior drama practitioner Robert Beck, said it was pleasing to work on something "for the whole community to enjoy and be proud of for many years to come".

He said: "Not only is it fantastic to be involved with something which showcases the Cannock Chase region so beautifully, I am proud of how much local talent Birmingham Rep has been able to support and foster."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.