Christmas is coming to the Academy...

As mentioned in a brief  post on the Academy Facebook page yesterday, my quietness online reflects concentration of thought & activity in developing new ideas and materials (as is usual). Since the HOD event (& completion of the 'Seeking Sophie 'Time Tec' Challenge) I've been working on digital 'cultural heritage experiences' for winter (hopefully for Christmas - though as explained on Facebook, technical issues continue to delay progress).

Earlier this year I completed what is effectively an e-book on the Regency Christmas - focusing on  Derby & Derbyshire in the late 1790s - 1820s - which will form part of the 'course materials' for a digital learning package. I'm now tweaking this a little to better fit the other materials that I intend to add.

I'm also working on a digital package - designed for cold winter evenings beside the fire! - that explores beliefs & practices in the area at this time relating to ghosts & the dead.

I'm experimenting with new resources & technologies, to see what formats work best (within the framework of extending access by keeping costs low, having to employ software that's free to the public, & does not require the involvement of an app producer / computer programmer!). So I'm still at the developmental stage for some elements of the packages. But the challenge is proving to be as enjoyable as it is demanding, and I hope that those who engage with these materials find as much amusement as I have in their making.

I shall explain content in more detail when closer to the release date - so watch this space!

Update: Experimentation continues on a wide range of more accessible resources, which I hope will be available in time for Xmas 2019.

#Seeking Sophie: Have you Triumphed as a Trail-blazing Time 'Tec?!

Are you a Trail-blazing Time 'Tec?! 

The answers to the Seeking Sophie challenges will go public at the end of the month (30 September). In the mean-time, if you think you've triumphed, & would like to check, you'll need to accomplish one last task, to discover the password to the digital vault in which the answers are kept:

Mary's account of the journey to Derby, & Nancy's account of the journey through & beyond the town, end & begin, respectively, at the same place: the vicinity of what was once a fine house for wealthy gentlemen. The public house that still stands (now nearly alone) close to this place has a date on the front of the building: this date is the key!

Follow this link & enter the code to see the answers!

(The answer page will remain available until the end of the month.)

#Seeking Sophie: The Story Concludes!

With this letter from the attorney, Mr. H., the Seeking Sophie story concludes : Miss. S.'s friends have gathered evidence that places the 'gentlemen' at at least one crime scene, when the supposed felon ('Nancy') was behind bars. 

We now leave our antiquarian investigators behind, to let the law take its course - or perhaps (knowing the compassionate nature of some of the players), we might imagine that the villains be given opportunity to flee to the continent to escape justice (instead of meeting their end on the scaffold, or in a convict colony).

Thank you to all those who have been following the story, & having a go at the Seeking Sophie challenges. 

Should any 'time 'tecs' wish to know the answers to these challenges, instructions on how to enter the digital vault in which they are stored will be provided on Sunday (23rd September), & the answers stored until the end of the month (September 2018).  

#Seeking Sophie: Mrs. Leach Finds Another Clue!

I append a copy of the note I sent to S. M., after finding another clue - which I suspect may prove very significant!

I now await Mr. H's report from the country, which I hope will enable us to round up our case!

#Seeking Sophie: Mrs. Leach Speaks with Nancy!

In my endeavours to investigate the Seeking Sophie mystery, I was so fortunate as to visit Nancy in the County Jail (where she awaits transportation on false conviction for theft). The following is a copy of the letter I sent to S. M., relating the young woman's testimony of the journey she made with Miss. S. & Mary through the town, & beyond to their place of confinement. 

I provide a map of the town that, in conjunction with the county map already provided, may be used to plot the journey.

I have news that Mr. H extracted further particulars on his visit to the country estate, which I shall forward tomorrow (& I anticipate may be the final piece of evidence required to ensure the release of Nancy & Miss. S. from their respective confinements).