Barrow AFC's Barrow 125 project has held a training day for educators on using the club's past in lessons. The event involved visits to important historical locations connected to the team.
Participants started at the beginning of the Heritage Trail. They went to the Strawberry Ground, the site of Barrow's inaugural game. The group also saw Barrow Cemetery. At Holker Street, they toured the stadium and learned about community activities there.
One part of the day examined women's football at the ground during World War Two, using findings from Cumbria Archives, artist Sarah Hardacre and a Bluebirds' Trust project. Another segment demonstrated an English lesson built around Barrow's decisive goals in the FA Trophy Final. This employed a 'Readers Theatre' method to reenact the famous match commentary.
Educators praise the initiative's impact
Attending teachers were positive about the project's value. Nicola Corlett from Brisbane Park said the training "brought learning to life" especially "looking around and visiting the different locations in the town". Lucy Pickering from Sacred Heart felt the heritage trail would be "very valuable and easy to implement into children's learning".
Briony Coglan, History Lead for St George's, called the session "interesting and informative" and said it offered a new view of Barrow life. Jule Birkett from Roose School believes the project is a great way for pupils to investigate their area and learn how football has influenced it.
The workshop was run by Steve Herbert, a local school leader and fan, at the Cross Bar. Herbert expressed gratitude to the Town Council, the Bluebirds Trust's 1901 Club and the Unite union branch, which funds trail plaques. "I must thank the Town Council, the 1901 Club from the Bluebirds Trust and Unite for allowing us to get this far," he said.
The Barrow 125 effort is a collaboration between the Bluebirds Trust, the football club and its community section, and a fan publication. Its goal is to build stronger links between the team and local schools. The Heritage Trail features spots that honor the town's submarine history, with a notable launch anniversary coinciding with the club's own.
This community activity happens as the team performs well in matches. They have won their last three games.
Further events include a young people's writing workshop set for early October at Holker Street. A temporary exhibition is also arranged ahead of an upcoming fixture.
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