History Hackers: A Creative Heritage Project with Leigh's Young People
Posted on 1st Sep 2025 by AWL Team
Over the course of eight sessions in the Summer Holidays, Archives: Wigan & Leigh has engaged 115 children in a heritage and technology project that brought local history to life in new ways. Alongside Computer Xplorers, we’ve delved into archives, built digital worlds, and sparked creativity.
Each session was designed to connect 7-11 year olds with the rich history of the Wigan borough through hands-on exploration of archives and corresponding computer-based activities. Highlights included:
- Designing computer games using Bloxels, inspired by archival materials from Wigan cyclist Alan Pendlebury’s round-the-world journey.
- Creating stop-motion animations about the Leigh suffragette protest, using historical maps and newspaper articles to inform their storytelling.
- Reimagining Victorian slums in Minecraft, demolishing poor housing and designing better alternatives, thanks to a custom-built world from Computer Xplorers.
- Building a Lego Robotics model of a reaper/binder, learning about the agricultural machinery developed by local firm Harrison MacGregor.
Each child received a packed lunch and had time to showcase their creations to their parents, with around 50 parents actively engaging in the sessions. The feedback from both children and adults was overwhelmingly positive.
Staff, parents and children made a collective effort to apply for Blue Peter badges for the children on the game design session, using their digital creations as evidence of their creativity and learning. If the applications are successful, these badges will grant free access to over 600 attractions across the UK—creating a lasting legacy for future school holidays.
What We Learned
- Blending history with technology works. Children responded enthusiastically to the mix of archival exploration and digital creativity. Tools like Minecraft, Bloxels, and Lego Robotics made local history tangible and fun.
- Parent engagement fosters pride. Inviting parents to see the outcomes fostered pride.
- There's huge scope in using Minecraft as an educational tool. In the coming academic year, the archives team will be continuing its partnership with Computer Xplorers. We’ll be developing two curriculum-based workshops using Minecraft and Lego Robotics, to be trialled for free in schools across Wigan.
- Everyone appreciates a free lunch!
Looking Ahead
We’re delighted with the success of the project and are looking forward to future collaborations. Many thanks to The National Archives for funding this work.
By Helen Raymond