Risk Takers and History Makers was a partnership project exploring Bedford’s hidden heritage. It connected schools and the local community with John Bunyan Museum, Panacea Museum and local history organisation The Bedford Chronicles.

The partnership discovered the stories of four women: Elizabeth Bunyan, Dorothy Osborne, Ellen Oliver and Pearl Thompson. Over a 300-year period they each fought and struggled against society, social norms and government, for justice or their faith or beliefs. The stories of these four women were little known in Bedford’s community, and the project helped raise awareness of their heritage.

A series of eight workshops for schoolchildren helped them to learn about these important women and included film-making, collage, tapestry, music, books, paintings and digital projections.

The materials produced by the schoolchildren formed an exhibition across both the John Bunyan Museum and Panacea Museum.

You can find out more in their YouTube film.