Funding of £72,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has been awarded to two intergenerational projects that are capturing the diverse stories of their Cambridgeshire communities for generations to come.
Talkin’ bout my generation: musical memories of the Fens & Brecks Baby Boomers
A National Lottery grant of £63,600 has been awarded to charity Babylon ARTS to save Baby Boomers’ memories of the music they listened to as teenagers in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Focusing on the four market towns of March, Wisbech, Mildenhall and Brandon, the project will explore the influence of rural life and nearby US airbases on the area’s little-known musical heritage, from fashion to film.
Alongside a programme of exciting activities and events, ‘Reminiscence Roadshows’ will give residents the opportunity to listen to their old favourites and share their experiences and treasured memorabilia with project volunteers. These memories will be used to create a documentary film and a touring exhibition to be shown at local venues.
The project was inspired by, and will form part of, the Arts Council funded Creative People and Places 'Market Place' programme being delivered across Fenland and Forest Heath.
The Littleport Button Tree: stitching together local history
The Field Theatre Group’s unique community project will tell the story of Littleport through the histories of its residents, thanks to National Lottery funding of £9,200.
Through local memory gathering workshops, people of all ages will be asked to contribute buttons that have a special significance or family memory associated with them, whether it’s from a soldier’s uniform or a school blazer.
These buttons will be incorporated into a new textile artwork, creating a vivid and personal snapshot of Cambridgeshire history, and their stories will be recorded and edited into an online archive, book and touring exhibition for local schools and museums. The project’s research will also find a permanent home at The Adams Heritage Centre.
Robyn Llewellyn, Head of HLF East of England, said: “It’s fantastic to see Cambridgeshire communities using their heritage to explore and share local stories, thanks to support from National Lottery players. Heritage is not just about buildings; it’s people’s personal experiences that tell us what life in Cambridgeshire was like throughout the 20th century. These projects will save important memories and engage new audiences in the stories of our past.”
About the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery.