FROM the Romans to the Industrial Revolution, our ancestors have all left their mark on East Lancashire and influenced the life we live today.

And youngsters in 32 schools throughout our area have been using our NIE local history pack to delve into some of the facts about places and people on their own doorsteps who played their part in changing the world.

"We are delighted with the NIE local history material and will be using it throughout the year to cover many topics set by the National Curriculum" was a comment from one Hyndburn teacher. "In fact its arrival was particularly well timed to help us with our current classroom project on settlements through the ages," added Peter Marsland, who teaches pupils in years five and six at St Mary's RC Primary School in Oswaldtwistle.

"Children immediately recognised the picture of Stanhill Post Office where James Hargreaves, the inventor of the Spinning Jenny was born," he continued. "And as we're surrounded by canals we were fascinated by the chapter and worksheets on their development." In Burnley, pupils in years five and six at Hargher Clough Junior School, are using the supplement and worksheets to extend their study of the Romans in Ribchester following a visit to the Ribble Valley village. "The NIE material is very good value for money," said class teacher Sylvia Verdeyen, "and is designed in a user friendly format, making it particularly suitable for children of this age. All parts of the pack will be in use in our school for a very long time."

The history resource included copies of the supplement "East Lancashire, from the Stone Age to the Space Age," a set of over 40 photocopiable worksheets, a delivery of our newspaper with special local history features and competitions, plus a free copy of the book "Images of East Lancashire," was delivered to participating schools from October 4-8, and will be in use throughout the year and well into the next century.

The material is still on offer to schools within our circulation area at £48 for the minimum order of 25. Please contact NIE Co-ordinator, Rita Shaw, for details, telephone: 01254 678678 Ext 255.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.