Living History - William Hearfield - Mill Owner
The aim was to expand on the recent interpretation and landscape improvement works at the Humber Bridge Country Park, Chalk Walk and Hessle Mill by introducing special learning events on site by using live actors to further the East Riding Museums Community engagement programme at the Mill and along the Chalk Walk.
The proposals were for different characters to be engaged on different Heritage Open Day weekends including characters featured in the audio-visuals produced previously.
Esther King, the Quarryman's wife would take visitors on the route that she took to visit the mill if her husband needed anything, talk about workers rights, the fight for better pay and working conditions and her routine in managing the house and family.
On the second weekend, the Victorian Mill owner William Hearfield provided the tour by collecting the group and guiding them through the country park to the mill. They learned about the former use of the country park as a quarry, when it was worked, how and when the chalk was formed and were shown some of the prominent chalk outcrops that remain, learning about whiting, what it is and what it was used for.
Alex Ombler - Curator, Hessle Whiting Mill
“We all really enjoyed the weekend and thank you for your contribution. It was great to have you there and, of course, I hope there will be further opportunities to work with you again in the future!"