A SERIES of craft workshops is not only helping a history group come up with ideas for waymarkers for a new heritage walk, but could also have a positive spin-off for those living with dementia.
Evenwood, Ramshaw and District History Society created a walking route earlier this year to promote the heritage of their area and with funding from Northern Heartlands attracted more than 50 residents to three stone-carving workshops.
Society member Brian Carter said the aim was to pass on skills, as well as to come up with ideas for waymarkers on the route.
He said: “Some of the pieces people produced were really quite good. We will be looking for additional funding to get the waymarkers done.
“We had a vision about how we wanted it to go and it has gone beyond our expectation.”
Among the ideas that emerged from the sessions, which were provided by professional sculptor Ewan Allinson, included mine pit heads, waves representing King Cnut, and cartwheels.
Evenwood dementia sufferer and campaigner Ernie Malt was among those who took part.
He now plans to start his own stone carving class for others with the coindition because he enjoyed it so much.
He said: “I was amazed how therapeutic it was. I was in a world of my own. I have tried loads of things like jigsaw puzzles, but it was nothing like this.”
Mr Malt who started a sensory garden in Evenwood as a way of helping others cope with the condition, now hopes to start a stone-carving class at the site.
He said: “At the moment I am trying to get some funds to buy some tools.”
Anyone who can help can contact Mr Malt be email alfred5shadow@gmail.com.
