Powys Pioneers Digital Heritage Project
Over the past 250 years, Powys has been the home for a remarkable set of innovators, social activists and businesspeople who have changed the face of Wales and had influence around the world. For the purposes of this study, the Powys Pioneers have been defined as the following set of people:
· Laura Ashley and family - Textile, home furnishing and fashion pioneer and significant rural employer.
· Robert Owen - Philanthropic social entrepreneur and reformer, education reformer and creative genius of international significance.
· David Davies - Coal & railway pioneer, and his philanthropic family - Lord Davies; Gwendoline & Margaret Davies.
· Pryce Jones - Pioneer of international mail order and home shopping, purportedly the initiator of Royal Mail Parcel Post and inventor of the modern sleeping bag.
The Feasibility Study was designed to evaluate options for future actions against five objectives, with a central focus on digital delivery and activities. These objectives are to:
1. Enhance local identity and pride in the Powys Pioneers, Newtown and Mid Wales.
2. Increase recognition of the Powys Pioneers, Newtown and Mid Wales across Wales, the UK and internationally.
3. Achieve the monetisation of the Pioneers’ heritage, for the future sustainability of the project.
4. Develop the heritage-led regeneration of Newtown.
5. Use the legacy of the Powys Pioneers to stimulate local entrepreneurship.
Start Date: 01/11/2018
End Date: 31/12/2019
Total Project Cost: £12,815.53
RDP Funding: £7,975.70
Match Funding: £4,839.83
