Undergraduate historians’ original research teaches vital skills
Seven second year history students have been investigating the Fovant Badges, eight regimental crests cut into the chalk hillside near Salisbury, some dating back to 1916.
The team has given a presentation to academics about their work, written group and individual essays and explained the research to primary school children in Wiltshire as part of a public outreach event covered by the Salisbury Journal newspaper.
The undergraduates' project is an important part of their BA degrees as it combines original historical research with the development of presentation and team working skills.
Over three months, the students visited Fovant five times, speaking to villagers and several local historians, one of whom has researched the badges for more than 40 years. The crests are back in the news because another one, in the shape of a poppy, may be created to mark the centenary of the First World War.
"We have been addressing questions of history and memory," says Ellie Thackway. "That has included looking at how they are maintained and who takes responsibility for them after regiments have been disbanded."
"It's been an enjoyable project and the experience will also be useful when we graduate," adds Will Kirby. "I've just had an interview for a job and they were interested to hear about what we've been doing."
Professor Neil Gregor supervised the project and watched the students' presentation: "They made a very difficult task - one which carries a high potential for chaos! - look deceptively easy. I was impressed, and came away full of admiration. In my view this was an excellent performance."
The project team are Nicola Sharpe, Ellie Thackway, Laura Leonard, Will Kirby, Alice Smallwood, Francesca Jones and William Brooks.
Neil is involved in a larger Heritage Lottery Fund collaborative project with the Fovant Badges Society in the run-up to the centenary of its creation. It involves both researching their history and developing an historically-informed approach to creating the new badge in 2016. As part of this, a one-day symposium was held in Salisbury on 'War, Landscape and Memory' which drew members of the public from across the region.
http://www.fovantbadges.com/download/Fovant_A4_v2.pdf