Murston Old Church

Philippa worked for 1 year on the National Lottery Heritage Funded Project Murston Heart: shaping a new future for Murston Old Church as the Freelance History Projects Coordinator.

She really enjoyed researching, developing and leading creative, site-specific activities and events for schools and public audiences in consultation with the Murston All Saints Trust Trustees.

Her proudest moment was leading the Medieval Graffiti Project for Sunny Bank Primary School:

In June and July 2023, the Murston Heart team, led by the team’s History Projects Coordinator Dr Philippa Mesiano, ran the Medieval Graffiti Project with Sunny Bank Primary School.

Dr Mesiano delivered a whole school assembly about Medieval Graffiti in Murston. Later, Sunny Bank pupils visited Murston New Church, using torches to search for Medieval Graffiti on stone pillars which had once been located in Murston Old Church. They learnt about the history of these marks, the carving of which was often linked to devotional practice in the Medieval Period.

The classes then walked to the Murston Heart site to draft and paint their own tile, inspired by different Medieval Graffiti designs. The painted tiles were sent to Little Potters, Pottery Painting Studio to be glazed and fired in a kiln and finally, exhibited in Murston Heart’s Chancel Gallery.

Sunny Bank’s Head of School, Mr Allen said: “This was a significant experience for our children and I believe, from what I saw, the children have benefited not just academically, but in terms of their moral and cultural development. We are so lucky to have this rich local history and we are grateful of your time and expertise to make this happen. We are changing lives at Sunny Bank Primary School and this project has definitely contributed to this.”