STUDENTS have been praised for their contributions to several community history projects to benefit public spaces, museums, and other attractions in the area.

Final year history students at Bournemouth University (BU) have taken part in a four month-long ‘Graduate Project’ course that trains students to become public historians.

Working in groups of three or four, they have contributed to a range of history projects including:

  • Promoting the Purbeck Community Rail Partnership by recording oral histories and information on the railway lines and stations
  • Creating a history audio trail of the Boscombe area of Bournemouth
  • Further develop the existing St. Barbe Museum & Art Gallery digital app
  • Gather and record memories of the people who visited Upton Country Park, as well as those that lived and worked in the house and on the estate

BU Graduate Project Unit Leader, Dr Kate Terkanian said: “Not only do the students work with local groups discovering and communicating the history of Dorset and Hampshire to the public, but they are also able to put their skills as historians to the test.

“We are really proud of our students’ achievements.”

Purbeck Community Rail officer Josephine Foley added: “The involvement of the students in researching, interviewing people, and forging relationships was incredibly enriching, and their enthusiasm and dedication reflected in the work they produced for us.”