What's the latest...?
Summer to summer: Find out about some of the activities which have taken place between summer 2008 and summer 2009...
In the early summer of 2009, the Access Forum had their summer party before their break over the summer. Over the last year, the Hampton Court Access Guide has been completed, with extensive involvement from the Access Forum. The Forum has since been consulted about the 'Henry: head and hearts' interpretaion project at the palace, and they have also been developing each other's knowledge about different disabilities, be each leading training sessions for the forum members.
In Spring 2009, children with learning difficulties came to Hampton Court for a workshop inspired by the Tudor Kitchens, and led by the artist Sofie Layton. The workshop was a pilot for a new programme of workshops for community groups currently being developed with the theme of feats and celebrations at the palaces.
In February 2009, six beautiful silk wall hangings were put on display in the Privy Kitchen Coffee Shop at the palace. Over autumn and winter 2008, our six community partner organisations - Tower Hamlets Pupil Referral Unit, Into University/Clement James Centre, Stitches in Time, Chelsea Methodist Children and Families Directorate, Grove Care Partnership and Lindon Bennett Primary School - took part in workshiops about Henry VIII and Tudor food and drink. Through embroidery, copper embossing, photography and printing, people of all ages worked with the artist Sofie Layton to create a variety of elements which the artist then pulled together to create six beautiful hangings which form a community contribution to the 500th anniversary celebrations of Henry VIII's accession to the throne.
In August 2008, Connaught Opera once again performed two highly popular concerts at Hampton Court for local elders groups. The morning concert took place in the beautiful Banqueting House by the river, and the afternoon concert in the Clore Learning Centre. With six costume changes in an hour, the singers put on quite a show!
What's happening at the other palaces?
Historic Royal Palaces undertakes Outreach and Community Involvement projects at all five of our palaces.
We work with a wide range of audience groups on targeted projects, events, creating resources and more. Why not read about the 'Memories of Tower Beach' project at the Tower of London? What about the children's activity book created by young hospital patients inspired by Kensington? Perhaps the Banqueting House activities at the West End Live event? Maybe the re-birth of the 'Temple of the Imagination' at Kew? Find out about these and much more at the individual palace pages, or on the community updates pages at: www.hrp.org.uk/outreachandcommunity
