Somewhere in Harvey's Barn Mr R. Harvey has etched his name and dated the time as 1774. We haven't found the etching yet, but we have discovered more about the barn and life in the surrounding village of Swaffham Bulbeck during the 18th century.

The Young Roots, Heritage Lottery Fund, has enabled us to have a facilitator to direct the investigations. We have been able to invite local historians to speak to us, we have visited the local museums and libraries, and have created some three dimensional displays of an 18th century local map and papier mache examples of earthenware dishes and jugs.

Using a plan of the structure of the barn found in the local library some students created a balsa wood model of the frame. We discovered information about the local trading which took place using the Lode channel system. Commodities came from and were transported to places as far as Russia, Sweden, France and Portugal as well as all over the United Kingdom.

The learners worked as a team, used digital cameras, created a Power Point presentation, and used new "Mind Mapping" software to create colourful, informative displays of their work.

Thirty young people were involved in the project, concentrating on areas of specific interest to them. One young man with a particular interest in waste disposal built a model cart which would have been used to remove rubbish from the site of the barn's construction. Another created a display of medieval hedgerow flowers. The students were supported by volunteers who helped them research the history of the barn and build the models shown in the pictures.

Ten students received formal accreditation in local history as a result of this project, but most importantly for this group of young learners it gave them a great sense of achievement, their confidence has increased, they have worked together and met new people, and the work has sparked an interest to do more research into their local area.