Fellowship award for council man to study US parks service

AN OFFICER with Kirklees Council is making a study visit to the United States National Park Service.

Simon Skelling, education and outreach officer with Kirklees Museums and Galleries, is making the trip thanks to a fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

He will be spending seven weeks at the Boston National Historic Park, which encompasses eight sites, most of which are in downtown Boston, that showcase Boston's role in the American Revolution.

It was designated a national park in 1974.

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"I hope to gain knowledge and information that will benefit the museums service here in Kirklees which faces the similar challenge of how to engage communities with their heritage," explained Mr Skelling, who had to present his project to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and demonstrate its benefits to the UK.

He has been awarded 5,500 for the trip, which will take place in September, during one of America's holiday periods.

"I want to be able to speak to the visitors to the historic sites to get their views so it will be best to go during one of their busy periods," Mr Skelling added.

"In the 1950s America led the way in heritage education. The techniques they developed are still a key part of the training for museum professionals in British universities."

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The manager of Kirklees Museums and Galleries, Richard Butterfield, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for Simon to see the work of the National Parks Service. They are leaders in the field and having first hand experience of their work will enable Simon to apply the benefits of their approach to history back in Kirklees."

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust was established in 1965 on the former Prime Minister's death as a living memorial to him.

It gives citizens the opportunity to "travel to make a difference" to themselves and to this country.

Each year it funds approximately 100 people on overseas projects lasting between four and eight weeks that are related to their profession, craft or personal interest.

Past fellows include paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, who researched the development of athletes and coaching systems in Australia.