In order to focus the interest of schoolchildren on their local environment, Westmeath Heritage Forum has launched a photographic competition in the form of a treasure hunt.
This is aimed at increasing awareness in schoolchildren of their local heritage, and children in both primary and post-primary schools are invited to participate.
Children should search out and photograph exciting local examples of ‘street furniture’ of heritage interest. They are encouraged to take lots of photographs within their local area and send their completed entries to [email protected]. Alternatively children can submit them to their school who will forward them. Don’t forget to include the school’s name and address if submitting entries directly.
Children should ask parents, grandparents, and local people to suggest items which are of historical interest and to write a short paragraph giving details of location and telling the story of the item photographed – this will form part of the entry submission.
Heritage street furniture would include items such as lamps, gas lamps, old gates, old gate-posts, railings, stiles, milestones, ordnance survey markers, pumps, horse troughs, drainage grilles, manhole covers, seats, boot scrapers, etc. The list is endless!
Entries in the form of digital photographs and written description (including location of item ) should be either from the schools or from individual schoolchildren. There will be two prizes of €200 each - one for primary schools and the other for post-primary schools.
Closing date for the competition is Tuesday September 27 and all submissions - digital photographs, location, and a short description - are to be sent to [email protected].
Presentation of the prizes will take place in the Atrium, County Buildings, Mullingar and an invitation with details of date and time will be sent to all schools. In addition an exhibition of selected submissions will take place in the area libraries – Athlone, Castlepollard, Kilbeggan, and Mullingar.
Please address any queries on the competition to [email protected].
