Historic England funds Yorkshire's working-class heritage project

Yorkshire's working-class heritage is to be put under the spotlight following more than £150,000 of new funding.

Six projects in the region are to benefit from a £1m Historic England scheme funding 56 projects across England.

Stories explored include pigeon fancying in Sheffield, homelessness in York and rhubarb growing in Kirkstall.

Historic England's Tom Frater said there were "many hidden histories to uncover in Yorkshire".

A spokesperson for the organisation said it had received almost 400 applications to its Working Class Heritage project, and had chosen to fund community-led projects which would explore "the diverse stories of people and places".

In South Yorkshire £19,663 has been given to a project entitled Of Pigeons and Peas, which plans to tell the history of the Manor Workers' Gardens.

The Manor Estate, built in the 1930s, was one of the first in the city to include gardens and allotments.

It also has a strong connection to pigeon fancying - the art and science of breeding pigeons.

Historic England said the project would collect stories from local allotment owners and community groups.

It added it was an opportunity to celebrate an area of Sheffield "once described as the worst estate in the country".

Of Pigeons and Peas would cover difficult times, but would also "reflect the strong community spirit of the Manor," they added.

Meanwhile in West Yorkshire, the Rhubarb Rhubarb project is to receive £22,070 to explore the history of a former rhubarb farm in the Leeds suburb of Kirkstall.

The Grade II listed Hollybush Farm is now home to The Conservation Volunteers, a charity dedicated to restoring, protecting and connecting people to nature.

Historic England said the scheme would also build a new rhubarb forcing shed.

Other Yorkshire heritage projects being supported include an £11,000 art exhibition charting the history of homelessness in York, with £24,900 given to an exploration of Hull's oil seed crushing industry.

Historic England said £23,500 in funding would also be provided to tell the story of three different Caribbean families who consecutively lived in a large Edwardian house on Sheffield's Burngreave Road.

Meanwhile, in Halifax Celebrating Champion Jack is set to unfold the history of Jack Dupree.

New Orleans blues singer and pianist Jack Dupree left the US because of racism and met and married Shirley Ann, a girl from Ovenden near Halifax.

The couple welcomed icons like Louis Armstrong, BB King and Eric Clapton to their home.

Tom Frater, regional director for the North East and Yorkshire at Historic England, said he was "excited to learn more about these fascinating projects in Yorkshire as they shine an important light on our working-class heritage".

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