TPT Newsletter

Wow!  Big thank you to the TPT office for giving 'ENGAGE' a section in their newsletter.  Hopefully we are focusing and finalising this initial stage to the project soon... lots of work to be done!!!

Your involvement???  Perhaps you would like to be involved in some of the ENGAGE project.  We are currently putting together the text for the digital booklets and mini websites.  We would be interested in hearing from anyone who has specific information regarding the Liverpool Loop section of the Trail.  Potential Themes are: Historical aspects of the Trail, Biodiversity, Wildlife, Community Projects, Tackling Vandalism, Inspirational Poetry, Creative Writing or simply how you use the Trail... and how much you enjoy it.  If you would like to write a paragraph or two, we may be able to use it to help publicise the Trail.  Please get in touch... jc@engagethetrail.co.uk 

Thank you again for your interest in the ENGAGE project.

Project Progression and Update

It's been a while since I last posted an update on the project.  In the coming weeks ENGAGE hopes to round up the initial stage of the project with the completion of the digital booklet that is currently ongoing.  There has been an organic flow to the progression of the project since its outset with the ideas and image focus changing throughout.  The end result of the initial stage has never been a definitive idea, more of a... 'let's see what happens'.  The response to the initial questionnaire was impressive with over 50 responses being received.  This gave a good insight to the impressions and thoughts (good and bad) surrounding the Trail and Liverpool Loop Section.  A really useful exercise, the responses allowed the ideas and project to change, build and develop.  Thank you to all who took part.

The project now aims now to produce one downloadable digital booklet.  This booklet combines imagery and text surrounding various topics in relation to the Trail.  The photography has been produced in response to the feedback gathered by the questionnaire, Trail users and local residents to the Trail.  It is also hoped that 'snippets' of the information and imagery offered can be installed out on the Trail via QR codes and available to view and read on mobile devices.  Again, it's an organic project, and ideas and progression may change, but always develop!

In addition to the activity above, It's been a busy time during May and June at the College.  St Helens College has now seen the completion of another contingent of Photography Degree Students some of which were and remain involved in ENGAGE.  Congratulations to the 10 students on the completion of their BA Honours Degree!  The Degree has now successfully gone through validation with Chester University and will be moving from John Moores University.

On a personal note, and adding to the activity... welcome to the world Cecilia May Callaghan (My Daughter).  Born on the 22nd of June 2012.

Please don't hesitate to make contact if you would like any further information on 'ENGAGE the Trail'.  We are currently interested in hearing from anyone who has any particular information or interest in the historical and/or Bio diversity aspects of the Trail and Liverpool Loop Line.


Thank you again for your continued interest in the project.  I hope to continue to post on the site in the coming days and weeks as the project progresses.

Sustrans Merseyside and Cheshire Volunteers' Bulletin

A recent mention in the May addition of the 'Sustrans Merseyside and Cheshire Volunteers' Bulletin'.  Once again a massive thank you to the support from Sustrans and The Trans Pennine Trail for their support with the ENGAGE Project.

The full bulletin can be found by clicking this link... https://www.dropbox.com/s/tifwbr2rw8a2lsa/Merseyside%20and%20Chester%20Volunteers%20Bulletin%20May%202012%20%283%29.pdf 

Loop Line Volunteers Work Day

On the 12th of May, I took a ride out to capture some images of a volunteer work day on the Norris Green area of the Liverpool Line.  Extremely impressed with the work that is going on there... Well done to all those involved!  Images and interviews captured will be used in the Digital Booklet Publication that is currently being created.

Photos JC

Twitter

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ENGAGE Update

It hasn’t been the best of weather recently for arranging photography trips out on the Trail.  Nevertheless, the ENGAGE group of St Helens College photographers have been out and about.

We were overwhelmed by the response to the survey of Trail users and supporters.  It certainly highlighted the diversity of perceptions, views and thoughts surrounding our focus and pilot area of the Liverpool Loop Line.  Thank you to all who have offered their feedback.  It has initiated many ideas and indicated definite focus directions to approach photographically.

Our focus now is to produce a series of online and downloadable digital booklets incorporating the images captured and the words and stories offered from the survey.  Primarily, the three areas of exploration through the digital booklets will address the ‘Hidden History’, ‘Marks Made’ (Tackling vandalism and antisocial behaviour) and ‘Biodiversity’.  If you have any specific information that you feel would benefit these areas of exploration, then please get in touch. We would particularly like to hear from anyone who has any stories or memories of travelling on the train along the Liverpool Loop Line, or living in the proximity when the line was live?

Ultimately, if the ENGAGE project informs and inspires more people to use and recognise the amazing resource of the Liverpool Loop Line and Trans Pennine Trail, this is a positive outcome to this pilot stage of the project.  Please keep up to date with the progression of the ENGAGE project at www.engagethetrail.co.uk  and www.facebook.com/engagethetrail , or if you would like to make contact email john.callaghan@sthelens.ac.uk

Photographs TL- JC, TR-Radka Dolinska

BL-Tracey Johnson, BR-Ray Price.

Thanks for the responses!

Thanks again is given to all those who have responded to the ENGAGE questionnaire. Nearly 50 responses have been submitted and this has given us a massive wealth of information to work with.  This information, together with the images captured by the ENGAGE group is now being closely scrutinised in order to formulate a presentation of the work created.