Personal possessions that have a story to tell are the centrepiece of a new project being run at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes.

Individuals and communities linked with the Yorkshire Dales are being given a chance to reveal what objects are special to them and explain why.

The Treasured Possessions project runs until March and aims to collect a whole range of stories and images that explore the cultural heritage of the Dales.

And they will be going on show over the summer in the Museum, which is owned by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).

Museum manager Fiona Rosher said: “We want to explore objects and their stories that are special both from a personal viewpoint and in relation to the dales – how they became precious or treasured possessions.

“We hope to discover if these special objects have links to local customs or family traditions. They may be valuable, tatty, or something intangible like a local show, a sound, a smell or a taste? They might be a recipe, a sport, an activity, a person, a product, a gadget or a tool from home or abroad.

“And we want to find out which objects that we use today will become treasured possessions in the 23rd century – what the Dales Countryside Museum should be collecting today to save for future generations.”

Community groups will be recruited to create traditional quilts and hooky rugs from images of some of the special objects, so providing a visual record of the things that are important to the people of the Yorkshire Dales. And they will be available for display in the contributing communities before going on show in the Museum.

“There will be plenty for visitors of all ages to do and see in the exhibition, which runs to September 5,” Fiona said.

“We hope people will come along and share some of their cultural heritage with us and others – and have a fun day out at the same time.”

If you would like to be involved with the Treasured Possessions project by telling us what your treasured possession is, or by helping to create quilts and rugs, please contact Museum Project Officer Jane Sammells at the Dales Countryside Museum on 01969 666210 or email her at jane.sammells@yorkshiredales.org.uk