What we did:

The Meerkats looked at an aerial view of Earls Court and together we identified the main roads, features and landmarks. In pairs, they labelled their own aerial photo of Earls Court. We then watched a powerpoint presentation about history of Earls Court, in particular that of the exhibition centres, Earls Court One and Earls Court Two and soem of the fantastic events that were staged, like Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. We also looked at the future plans for regeneration of the area over the next 20 years. The class undertook a mapping exercise in class, matching archive photos of Earls Court of 100 years ago, when Earls Court was a quiet area filled with market gardens, with present day locations on a google map.

Our Earls CourtSESSION ONE:

Mapping the Changes

© Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre

What we did:

After a brief talk about what we were aiming to do on our local area visit and a look at the worksheets, we went out into the project area. The Meerkats undertook a variety of surveys in four different places in the Earls Court, including environmental quality survey and land use assessments. They took photos of landmarks and features of interest and recorded their own impressions on a google map as we explored the local area. They noted areas where they felt unsafe or stressed and those where they felt relaxed and happy. We visited the Empress State building area, Earls Courts One and Two and two different spots in the West Kensington estate. We had a brief feedback session back in the classroom.

Our Earls CourtSESSION TWO:

Assessing our Environment

© Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre

What we did:

Following on from field work in the last session, the Meerkats worked in groups of 3 or 4, using large google maps, post-it notes and pencils to record their impressions of the area collectively. They used symbols and notes to help earmark places they liked and disliked, their memories of different places, any questions they would like to ask, suggestions for improvements and concerns they have about the future redevelopment.

Our Earls CourtSESSION THREE:

Community Mapping

© Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre

What we did:

The children selected from a range of printed photos of a variety of different urban features; buildings, parks, shops, landscaping, sports and leisure facilities, playgrounds and community facilities and arranged them onto a template of Earls Court to create dioramas of their own personal vision of the future. At the end of the session we had time to look at a few of the dioramas and discuss what it might be like to live there.

Our Earls CourtSESSION FOUR:

Creating a Vision

© Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre

What we did:

The Meerkats visited 19th century Brompton Cemetery to gain inspiration for some artwork about the local area and discover local heritage. They conducted an environmental survey, assessed the area as a wildlife site and studied inscriptions on the headstones and tombs. The children were very interested in the story of Chief Long Wolf, who performed in the Earls Court ‘Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show’ over a hundred years ago. He and was buried here and many years later his body was taken home for reburial by his people. Other famous occupants include Beatrix Potter and Emmeline Pankhurst.

Our Earls CourtSESSION FIVE:

Discovering our Local green spaces

© Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre

What we did:

The Meerkats looked again at some images of the past of Earls Court, including the great days of the Earls Court shows of William Robinson Whitely and Imre Karalfy . They also examined, once more, the masterplan for the future of the area. They imagined themselves in a place they knew about in either the past, present or future of Earls Court and wrote an illustrated postcard to friends, revealing their thoughts on the area. Scenarios included postcards from the top of the waterchute at the old exhibition centre over 100 years ago, a futuristic shopping trip in the newly regenerated area and a present day holiday based in the local Ibis hotel!

Our Earls CourtSESSION SIX:

Wish you were here!

© Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre

What we did:

The Meerkats finished their artwork and chose photographs and their best pieces of work to exhibit. They completed some written work they had made about the history of Earls Court, about some of the famous people who have been buried at Brompton Cemetery including Long Wolf from the Buffalo Bill Wild West show and also other interesting facts they had discovered. We talked about the next session when they would be meeting members of the local community and some of the Earls Court project team for a discussion session and to show their work. A few of the children wrote down some notes on the project in preparation for the next session.

Our Earls CourtSESSION SEVEN:

Preparing for an exhibition

© Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre

What we did:

The Meerkats met with professionals from the Earls Court Project team (from Capital and Counties) and John Putnam from the Fulham Society. They took the opportunity to find out first hand about some of the issues involved in a major regeneration project, asked questions about the future development and raised any concerns they had. They also talked about the work they had been doing and what they had found out about the local area. The session finished with the children showing their photos, writing and artwork to the adults and then photos were taken and refreshments shared.

Our Earls CourtSESSION EIGHT:

Community Exhibition

© Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre