THE HISTORY OF WHSI
About Us
Alun Morgan
Angharad Williams
Huw Griffiths
Carolyn Hitt
Chris Williams
Catrin Stevens
The Initiative was launched in 1990 under the auspices of the Institute of Welsh Affairs at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. It was the brainchild of Lady Trotman Dickenson who became the first Chairperson of the organisation and has been closely involved ever since. She was followed as Chairperson by prominent historian of Wales, Professor Chris Williams, freelance journalist Carolyn Hitt, historian and author Catrin Stevens, and retired HMI (Estyn) Alun Morgan. Angharad Williams, former RCAHMW’s Public Engagement Manager and former headteacher then took over as Chair. The new Chairperson is Dr Huw Griffiths, Senior Lecturer at Trinity St Davids.
Lady Trotman-Dickenson
Our Aim
Our aim is to encourage young people in schools in Wales to take a greater interest in their heritage and the contribution made to it by their families and communities. The Initiative holds an annual competition for heritage projects in schools in Wales.
One of the biggest school history competitions in Europe
With close to 10,000 pupils competing annually. And numbers continue increasing.
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We take great pride in being one of the biggest history competitions in Europe.
The competition would not have taken place and continued without the support of sponsors. Throughout the 30 years Hodge Foundation has been a major sponsor and in recent years there has been significant support from Admiral Group plc. (Moondance Foundation).
Valuable support has been received from a range of other sponsors – St. Fagans National History Museum, CADW, the People’s Collection Wales, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, the National Library of Wales, Media Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union, University of South Wales, Women’s Archive Wales, Into Film and In Character plus a number of county and local history societies and generous individuals.
In recent years WHSI has been a member of EUSTORY, a network of countries in Europe that organise heritage/history competitions. The winners of the WHSI EUSTORY prize are invited to attend a conference with other EUSTORY contestants, sponsored by the Körber Foundation of Germany.
MEET THE TEAM
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Honorary Life President: David Maddox OBE
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We're very fortunate to have a large team of volunteers who help keep the competition running for over 30 years.
However, there is a small team of officers which regularly meet and administer the Initiative on a day-to-day basis.
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Chair & Trustee: Dr. Huw Griffiths - Senior Lecturer, Trinity St. Davids
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Vice-Chair & School Liaison officer: Aled Rumble - Advisory Teacher & former head of History
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Treasurer & Trustee: Dr. Stuart Broomfield - Former Education Adviser
Secretary & Trustee: Alison Denton Former head of History and current WJEC Examiner for History and Politics