Telling the untold stories of ordinary people’s access to urban green spaces in North Manchester, id amongst 56 new projects that Historic England will be funding across the next two years through its Everyday Heritage grant programme, celebrating working class histories.
Manchester charity Back on Track will tell the untold stories of people’s access to public greenspaces in Manchester at three urban parks located in the most disadvantaged districts of North Manchester: Sandhills Park in Collyhurst, Queens Park in Harpurhey, and Philips Park in Eastlands. The project will focus on the spaces and the history of their use, emphasising the benefits of urban green spaces for local communities, both at the time when they were created and in the present day.
Through adult education and training, every year the charity supports around 500 people from across Greater Manchester who have experienced a number of disadvantages. Nearly one in five come from the three postcode districts – M9, M40, and M11 – home to the parks featured in the project.
Starting in summer 2024, participants on the project will research the history of their local parks and produce creative writing and images which will be showcased in a new online resource. Back on Track plan to collaborate with a range of partners including local libraries, friends groups and nature charities.
SICK! Productions, a North Manchester diversity-led art charity aims to tell the stories of the people of Moston Lane, alongside community partners, through mural artwork.
This project aims to bring people from different backgrounds together through art and connect communities through heritage, through three activities.
Working with The Miners Community Arts, a former working men’s club built near the site of Moston’s old mining pit, will explore the mining community’s history through the lens of punk, protest and rebellion to create a huge mural.
Secondly, building on the previous Moston Lane Shutters project and led by young people, local participants will continue to explore the history of Moston Lane and the heritage of shopkeepers who live there today, including the history of the Simpson Memorial Hall, which bridges Moston and Charlestown through Harpurhey.
Lastly, through The History and Tales of Boggart Hole Clough, the local Friends group, rambling groups and the local community will collaborate to explore the park’s rich history, bringing together older people from different backgrounds who have lived in North Manchester their entire lives to celebrate what they have in common.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of HistoricEngland, said: “There are so many hidden histories to uncover here in England. Every community has a story to tell and we want to hear them. This is the strength of our Everyday Heritage grant programme, which funds projects that are community-led and really engage with local people by empowering them to research and tell their own stories. I’m excited to learn more about these fascinating projects as they shine an important light on our working-class heritage.”
