Borough’s 50th Anniversary celebrations will commence with a ‘memory archive’ containing The Millennium Quilt

Melton Borough Council is celebrating its 50th anniversary during 2024 and kicking off the year by looking for budding photographers to submit selfies in places of meaning within the borough.  These will form part of a memory archive, to be displayed alongside the Millennium Quilt. 

25 years ago, a unique craft initiative marked a significant milestone for Melton – the dawn of a new millennium. The endeavour to create a large quilt, undertaken by a group of dedicated women, was no ordinary one. Each of them had a mission: to create their own squares that depicted a significant aspect of Melton. This collective effort resulted in a magnificent quilt that served as a time capsule, capturing the essence of Melton at that point in time. 

The finished quilt was initially displayed in the Nottingham Road council offices, and following the fire, the quilt found a temporary home at the visitors’ centre at Melton Country Park. Regrettably, as time passed, this remarkable piece of craftwork was relegated to a box in a room at the library.  

However, Melton Borough Council have embarked on a renewed mission - to showcase the quilt once again so it can be viewed by the residents of Melton, in the Parkside Council Offices. Given its size, the Council are planning to hang a slightly smaller replica, printed as a photo on canvas, while the original quilt will be placed in a memory archive time capsule, alongside a brand-new photo booklet of selfie images taken by residents in places of meaning within the borough.   

The Council are keen on partnering with local schools, community groups and residents inviting them to contribute a #MyMeltonSelfie showing them in meaningful local places of interest. In the form of a competition, the winning selfies will be placed in a photobook on display with the canvas, and in the memory archive.  

The Council intends to hold a ceremony with the Mayor in March 2024, where the new canvas and the original quilt will be unveiled, and the time capsule will be officially sealed. The winners will be invited to take part in this historic ceremony, alongside some of the creators of the original quilt. The winners will have the opportunity to feature on the cover of the book. 

Cllr Helen Cliff, Councillor for Sysonby Ward has been working on this initiative alongside the creators of the quilt, stated that “This quilt is an important piece of Melton's history that symbolizes the turn of the millennium.  The 50th Anniversary of the Council provides a perfect opportunity to create a selfie photo book memory for the archive time capsule to share with future generations.  It will be fantastic to celebrate the people and places who have a positive impact on the place we call home.”  

“This is an excellent opportunity for residents and community groups to showcase the value of the borough's places. I expect these places will vary in profile, reflecting the diversity of our community and would encourage everyone to get involved and submit their selfies” 

The competition will be held over the month of February, with submissions accepted between 2nd February to the 1st March 2024. There will be five categories of entries-  

• Ages 0-7,  
• Ages 8-12 
• Ages 13-17 
• Ages 18+  
• Groups- for photos that include more than one person in, whether this be a couple, a family or a community group or class.  

To enter the competition, you can email HCDAdmin@melton.gov.uk with your picture or you can submit your picture through Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #MyMeltonSelfie and tagging Melton Borough Council in your post. You will need to confirm which category you are applying for. By submitting your photo, you are giving the Council permission to use the photo, in the photobook and for social media purposes. If you are under 18 you need to have permission of a parent or guardian and if you are submitting a photograph that contains anyone else under the age of 18, you need to make sure you have the permission from the parent or guardian prior to entering the competition. The Council may choose whether to use a picture or not and the Council’s decision will be final. There is no cash prize for this competition. 

Following changes to local government arrangements, Melton Borough Council was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, making 2024 a significant 50th year for the Council.  

The coordination of this project has been able to occur through funding by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

~ends~ 

Notes to editors: 

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.  

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus