|
Last updated 10 November 1998
The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust is entering the 21st century equipped with the latest technology. A brand new interactive information system at the Trust's Museum at Devizes was officially opened by Prunella Scales and Timothy West in April and upgraded to fully operational status at the end of May 1998. Clive Hackford the curator of the museum says:
Information is presented using pictures, sound, video and animation. Narration and historical recollections were read, with their customary professionalism, by Timothy West and Prunella Scales. Photographs were mainly obtained from the Trust's archives. There are 1500 images, 160 minutes of sound and 8 minutes of video footage, making this a very full presentation of:
To go through the entire presentation would take over 4 hours, but it is expected that people will only look at the sections that are of interest to them. For those with limited time, there are 10 minutes of highlights. Finance for the project was kindly provided by the Area Museum Council for the South West and the Carnegie UK Trust. The Canal Museum on the Wharf at Devizes is open 7 days a week. For more information about the opening times contact: The interactive information system was produced by Interactive Presentations Limited. For more information contact: Email: John Henn END PRESS RELEASE 10/06/98
John Henn, Managing Director, Interactive Presentations Limited Clive Hackford, Curator, Museum,Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, Canal Centre, Devizes, Wilts., SN10 1EB Tel (Trust): 01380 721279 Clive is no longer at the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. Background information The information system for the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust covers the history of the canal (Canal at Work). This looks at why canals were built and the fascinating story behind the building of the K & A canal. It then goes on to cover the canal's prosperous years when the canal was the main artery for trade and commerce in Southern England. The impact of the canal on local people and the goods carried on its numerous boats and barges demonstrates how the canal traffic was as extensive as road traffic is today. People's aspirations were the same as they are now but they were using a different and much slower-moving technology. The effects of railway competition show how the canal became only second best to the steam engine. There is a section on the boat people which tells their story using both narrative and their own thoughts. The official opening of the canal in 1990 was the climax of more than a quarter of a century of restoration but there is a lot more than that. The fight to save the canal in the 1940s and 50s is told through the eyes and words of one of the pioneers and folk-heroes, John Gould. Restoration has been completed but more work is required to bring the canal up to tip-top condition. There is also information about the lottery funding why it was necessary and the latest news on the work carried out. To help people find their way around the canal today, a guided tour of the canal shows people places of interest using photographs, maps and video clips. A final section has been added giving details of the Canal Trust and there is a noticeboard which allows up-to-date information to be displayed. Users interact with the system using a 21 inch touchscreen and monitor. John Henn Foxton Canal MuseumThe interactive system at Foxton was supplied to the museum in July 1996. Since then it has been seen by over 20,000 people. Other Applications The treatment of material and the concepts used in the production of the interactive system for the museum at Devizes is applicable to a wide range of other topics including railways.
For more information please contact: John Henn at Interactive Presentations Return to "News / Archives" |