Historic Buildings

Whitchurch School Heritage Programme

Whitchurch Conservation Group, a voluntary constituted community group, seeks to deliver a pilot heritage education programme that removes financial and practical barriers preventing local primary school children from accessing Whitchurch’s natural, social and built heritage. Through the Whitchurch School Heritage Programme, we aim to enable 700 Year 2 pupils from five local schools to engage directly with the River Test chalkstream and Whitchurch Silk Mill, combining outdoor environmental learning with structured heritage interpretation. Our objectives are to improve understanding of the River Test’s ecological and historic importance; strengthen children’s connection to place; and support Whitchurch Silk Mill’s charitable aim to widen educational access at a time when it lacks capacity to fund outreach independently. The project also aims to extend the legacy of previous National Lottery Heritage Fund investment in local river and industrial heritage, embedding learning, stewardship and responsible access at an early age through a partnership-led, curriculum-aligned programme.