It all starts with stories
Every day up and down the country we take actions big and small to champion the history around us. The local shops we go out of our way to support or the homes we lovingly restore, the celebrations we hold or the campaigns we wage, whatever the nature of the places that matter to us or the shape of our actions, we know that the effect is profound. Everyday heritage enriches our lives, fuelling our sense of identity and community, supporting our wellbeing and local economies*. Historic England work to improve lives by championing and protecting the historic environment, and together we’re asking how we might inspire and support even more action for historic places, from even more people:
How can we work together with more, and more diverse, people so that more action is taken to support the historic environment?
Let’s work together
We’re working from the starting point that our heritage isn’t a fixed list of things but an ever evolving process of interpreting and re-interpreting our past, made richer by the depth and breadth of people adding their voice, energy and ideas. To that end, over the coming months Historic England and NCP want to work openly and collaboratively to create a plan for supporting more people to take action for the places that matter to them. This blog will chart the journey we’re on, sharing updates and insights as we go and inviting you to get involved along the way.
It all starts with stories
“In January 2018 I bought the house which my Dad had bought in 1968 (50 years ago) and where I had grown up. Both the house and the garden had become severely neglected so much so that when it was put up for sale, potential buyers only wanted to offer a nominal sum. For me the last 2 1/2 years have become a labour of love and now the house is unrecognisable such is the transformation! While I love the house, I adore the garden because it is so large and I am still discovering new parts to it e.g. at the weekend, at the very top which is a mini green secret wonderland full of bluebells and forget-me-nots in the Spring, I discovered a path my Dad had laid years ago under a 6 inch thick layer of compacted soil! I feel if I hadn’t bought the house a new buyer would have come in and just dug everything up rather than trying to preserve anything.” NCP Katie’s mum
To build on what’s already working, we want to hear about the many and different ways we currently support the history around us, what inspires us to do it and what helps make action possible. That’s why we’ve kick-started this project with an open call out for your stories. And we’re asking and encouraging anyone and everyone who’s interested in historic places or heritage to:
Tell us about a time when you’ve done something to support your historic environment. It could be big or small, with other people or by yourself.
We’ve put together a short storytelling form to make it as easy as we can for you to share your stories and have the opportunity to join upcoming workshops. Or you can always email us on info@newcitizenship.org.uk if you’d prefer.
“My mum and dad got married at All Saints Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Camden, London. They chose to get married there not only because it was a beautiful building, but also important to their culture and their own heritage and sense of identity. The cathedral has been an important centre of the Greek Cypriot community in London for many years, going right back to the early 1940’s. To them it felt like an appropriate blend of their life in London and the roots they have in Cyprus.” NCP’s Irenie
Can you help us discover more stories?
We want to reach out as wide as we can so we can hear from as many people as we can. So if you know someone who has a story to tell, please share the storytelling form with them or submit one on their behalf.
‘During 2011 I was working on the London Olympics and Paralympics, traipsing round the Lee Valley and rapidly changing boroughs surrounding the stadium and park. It was then that I came across my little Hackney Wick pocket of London — all working warehouses, artists studios, bagel factories and illegal raves. The area has changed enormously since I moved in but there remain a few stalwart shops and cafes that speak to the history of the place. I try to support these little gems as much as I can; taking and telling my friends, supporting their crowdfunding campaigns and buying lots of cake. ’ NCP’s Anna
This is just the start of our journey with Historic England — but if you’ve followed our work you’ll know that an open approach and belief in the power of participation is core to everything we do. So please tune in for updates and ways to get involved.
* Why heritage matters
Heritage and Society: 2019
