Launch of Eyam 'Talking Guide' Tuesday 20th April at Eyam Hall 11.30am

A new and innovative approach to discovering the rich story of Eyam, the Peak District Plague village is about to be launched.

Members of the local community have worked to produce a unique and vivid Talking Guide to the village. In the company of Victorian historian William Wood you are taken on a tour of Eyams past - through the terrible but brave tale of the Plague years, into Eyams underground Heritage through to the modern day and its links in working for a cure for AIDS.

This is one of the first audio tours of an historic village and uses the latest digital technology. The group worked closely with ATS Heritage who have been involved with the Marie Rose and the Secret War exhibition. Mike Howie of ATS Heritage said

' Working with the Eyam Explored group has been a unique experience, the range of skills and talent means that this has been a true community project. The dramatic talent and incredible factual resources in the village have resulted in the best guide I have heard'.

The 'Talking Guide' is a self-guiding audio tour of Eyam, which lasts between 1.5 - 2 hours. Users can visit Eyams' most important historic sites as well as 4 locations outside the village, with the self-taught Eyam Victorian historian William Wood. It is available for hire from Eyam Hall and the Church Street Stores.

Barrry Lomas, Chairman of Eyam Explored said.

'This exciting project has been produced with a tremendous amount of local community effort and creativity and includes local village and Peak District voices and music. It is part of a £138,000 project to undertake a wide range of interpretation in the village from panels, leaflets, sculpture, footpath improvements, signpost and plaque replacements and much much more.'

It has been made possible with support from Eyam Parish Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, The Peak District Interpretation Project with funding from the European Union European Regional Development Fund, Derbyshire County Council, East Midlands Development Agency, Heritage Lottery Fund, Peak District National Park Authority and the Youth Hostel Association.

Notes to Editors

The formal launch will take place on Tuesday 20th April at Eyam Hall at 11.30am.
There will be excellent photo opportunities with costumed characters from Eyam past. A CD sampler of the trail is available from Gavin Bell.
For further information please contact either Nicola Wright on 01433 631976 or Gavin Bell on 07939 135064
nicwri@eyamhall.co.uk g.m.bell@lineone.net

ATS Heritage - 02392 595000