Cash grants available to mark our heritage

AN EXCITING new heritage project for Halton is being launched as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days programme.

Halton Borough Council has received a grant from National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a programme of heritage activity as part of Halton’s Borough of Culture 2021 celebrations.

The Celebrating Halton’s Heritage project will be based around a central hub at St Marie’s on Lugsdale Road with workshops exhibitions and talks, as well as outreach at other community venues.

The theme is Halton’s Trades through the centuries with a focus on rural trades (gamekeeping, farming, willow weaving, bargees/ flatmen, local shops and Post Offices), makers (sail, lace, clock and cheese making; linen weaving) and ‘nasty’ trades such as bleachpacking and tanning.

Social media posts across the period from September 10 to 19 will highlight the many different aspects of the project. Follow it on Instagram halton2021, Facebook @ celebratehalton and Twitter @Halton2021. You can also visit www.celebratehalton.co.uk for information. There are a number of ways you can get involved:

l The council is looking for volunteers to staff exhibitions and workshops as well as stories and information about trades from Halton’s past.

l The council will also be recruiting young people aged 16-25 to work with artist Laurence Payot on a project exploring the lives of workers in the bleachpacking industry. To register interest email steph.davies@halton.gov. uk

l There will also be a chance to apply for a small number of grants of up to £5,000 – on offer for projects to explore an aspect of Halton’s trading past.

l Grants will be given to community organisations to work in partnership with a member of Halton Heritage partnership to work up the project.

The applications will be launched on September 10 at the start of Heritage Open Days, and close for entries on October 31.

To register or ask a question, contact adele. clarke@halton.gov.uk.