Heritage projects celebrated through cash grants

Heritage projects across the East of England have been awarded a share of an £81,000 grant from Historic England.

A Napoleonic fort, railway project and Windrush exhibition were among the five initiatives from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk to benefit.

Duncan Wilson from Historic England said the awardees "shine a light on the stories of local, working class people and their extraordinary contributions to history".

The group's Everyday Heritage programme, set up in 2022, showcases the diversity of English history.

It wanted to ensure more people were aware of the "overlooked historic places on their doorstep".

More than 100 projects across England have received funding so far.

The Anglo Asiatic Arts and Heritage Alliance was awarded £10,800 for its plans to document memories of the Windrush generation.

Those involved wanted to speak to people from Caribbean communities and record their recollections for use in Thurrock Museum, Essex, and in a travelling museum.

More than 1,000 passengers from the Caribbean arrived on English shores when HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury in 1948.

Caribbean co-director Alan Bright said: "This is so important for us because it is the first oral history of this community in Thurrock and an important opportunity for their voices to be heard."

Elsewhere in Essex, £13,000 was granted to help fund an art exhibition at the Jaywick Martello Tower.

The money would help to amplify the village's "unique and vibrant seaside heritage", according to tower assistant Lelia Ferro.

A project bringing together documents, artwork and memorabilia about the railway heritage of Melton Constable, Norfolk, was awarded £23,500.

The village was a hub of the Midlands and Great Northern Railway from 1800 until its decline 164 years later.

"This is important to our community because the story of Melton Constable will be new to many people who have moved into the area," said the Reverend Trudie Morris, of Briston Parochial Church Council.

The Holiday Makers, which has been trying to preserve the history of Hemsby as one of Norfolk's premier holiday resorts, was also handed £23,700.

The group has been focused on the former Pontins park, which accommodated up to 2,440 guests before its closure in 2009.

Project manager Sophie Little said: "We hope The Holiday Makers unites the vibrant community in celebrating the joy Hemsby has brought to so many people over the years."

Five musicians who specialise in working with lonely and isolated elderly people were also granted £9,900.

The group, called The Tale Collectors, plan to use the money to create an hour-long performance on everyday life in the Suffolk town of Bungay.

Group chairwoman Caroline Speca said it was vital for those who were lonely "to have their voice heard".

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