Pupils get on song to celebrate Lancashire's history

The youngsters, including pupils from Leyland Methodist Junior School and the Central Lancaster High School, are taking part in a new “When Lancashire Sings” project.

This aims to inspire young people to create modern folk music through learning about their local history.

Working alongside staff from the County Council’s Heritage Learning team, local historians, the award-winning Young Uns folk group and music producer Andy Bell, the pupils will write and record ten folk songs.

They are now researching local heritage at Lancaster Castle, Clitheroe Castle and the Lancashire Record Office.

A concert, featuring pupils performing their songs alongside The Young Uns, will be held at Preston’s Guild Hall in March 2017. CDs and a supporting resource book will be launched in May 2017.The project is a joint initiative between the council and the folk group and County Coun Marcus Johnstone, cabinet member for cultural services, said: “Those involved will have the chance to draw the history, folklore and people together to produce something contemporary which will also have an important legacy for both teachers and other young people.

“Our local history is too important to be allowed to be forgotten or untold.”