Five projects across the East awarded grants to celebrate working-class heritage
In total there are 30 new projects around England sharing almost £500,000
Five new projects across the East of England exploring stories such as the railway heritage of Melton Constable in Norfolk, the Napoleonic Martello Tower at the heart of the community in Jaywick Sands, Essex, and the rural life of Bungay in Suffolk, are being funded by Historic England's Everyday Heritage grants programme in 2025.
In total there are 30 new projects around England sharing almost £500,000.
Launched in 2022, the Everyday Heritage programme aims to celebrate working class histories. This time, projects have a focus on buildings or places in rural and coastal locations. The programme has already funded over 100 projects, totalling £1.8 million.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England, said: “Across England we are all surrounded by inspiring historic buildings, landscapes and streets, rural and coastal heritage. These projects will shine a light on the stories of local, working class people and their extraordinary contributions to our shared history.”
“Connecting with our heritage helps us to feel that we belong and to feel pride in our local area. This programme gives communities the opportunity to recognise and celebrate their history in their own way, and to share untold stories about the places where they live so they can be enjoyed by more people, for longer.”
Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: "The best bits of history are undiscovered nuggets that surprise us or make us think again. Everyday Heritage grants enable people across the country to dig up those nuggets and share them with a wider audience."
The Anglo Asiatic Arts and Heritage Alliance will work with the Thurrock Heritage Group, Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre and Thurrock Museum
They'll record and collect Caribbean oral histories to reveal and celebrate the working-class Caribbean community that has made their home in Grays post-Windrush.
- Film Thurrock’s young Co-Director, Alan Bright, and his community will record and preserve the memories of some of the older generation in the area, collecting memories from family and friends through audio and video technology.
The town’s diverse local histories are underrepresented in Thurrock Museum so this oral history project aims to redress the balance. After the videos have been recorded, they will be uploaded to a free online digital gallery and QR codes placed among the Museum’s displays. A travelling exhibition launching the oral history archive will tour Thurrock libraries and Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre during Black History Month in October and at Tilbury Cruise Terminal in November and December 2025.
Alan Bright, Caribbean Co-Director, Anglo Asiatic Arts and Heritage Alliance, said: “We’re excited to have Historic England’s support to record the lived experiences of Caribbeans in Grays, post-Windrush. 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.”
Back on the Right Tracks: Exploring and Celebrating Melton Constable’s Railway Heritage, Briston Parochial Church Council – Melton Constable, Norfolk
The village of Melton Constable, Norfolk, was a hub of the Midlands and Great Northern (M&NG) Railway from 1800 until its decline in 1964. The story of the village is one of change and rapid growth, industrialisation and development away from the rural way of life. When the railway works closed and the trains stopped running, the railway infrastructure and machinery was taken to Melton village to be broken up.
This fascinating history is starting to pass from living memory and is at risk of being forgotten. The Melton Constable Railway Village Heritage Project will gather, co-create and facilitate a series of responses to celebrate the history of this rural railway village, leading to a Railway Heritage Festival of co-curated exhibitions of artwork, historical documents, railway memorabilia and oral histories, in May 2026.
Local artists and historians will run sessions to capture the stories of the older residents of Melton Constable and surrounding villages who still remember a working railway or have family narratives to share. Activities with these groups and the wider community will explore the impact that the building of the railway had on local people and the wider rural communities, building a sense of local pride and community cohesion.
Rev Trudie Morris, Briston Parochial Church Council, said: “We’re delighted to have Historic England’s support to explore the heritage of the historic railway village of Melton Constable in rural North Norfolk. This is important to our community because the story of Melton Constable will be new to many people who have moved into the area and especially to the 200 plus children in the Astley primary school who live in Melton Constable, Briston and surrounding villages.”
Tower @ Twenty: The Ballad of Jaywick Sands, Jaywick Martello Tower-Essex County Council:
Jaywick Martello Tower was built in 1809 to defend against Napoleonic invasion.
For the past 20 years, this historic building has been an important local arts and community centre at the heart of the Jaywick Sands community.
The story of Jaywick Tower will be brought to life through intergenerational storytelling, art and spoken word workshops and performances, sharing stories of the past and capturing stories for the future. Local voices, particularly young people, will be at the heart of the project, creating a sense of community and collective achievement.
An exhibition of the work created will be displayed at Jaywick Martello Tower this summer, with workshops and events for the community involved.
Leila Ferro, Martello Tower Assistant, Essex County Council said: “We’re excited to have Historic England’s support to explore the unique and vibrant seaside heritage of Jaywick Sands. This is important to our community because it ensures that its history and stories are retold and celebrated by future generations.”
The Holiday Makers, SOUNDYARD CIC - Hemsby, Norfolk
In 1920, a nine-acre holiday camp opened in the village of Hemsby in Norfolk.
Purchased by the Pontins brand in 1971, at its peak the camp had 512 chalets, and could accommodate up to 2,440 guests over 22 acres. The Pontins Holiday Park continued to welcome holidaymakers every year until it’s closure in 2009.
With coastal erosion taking more of the beach every year, it is important to document Hemsby’s heritage as a holiday resort. An audio documentary will be created entitled ‘The Holiday Makers’ telling the stories of Hemsby’s employees and visitors over the decades. Interviews with past guests and workers will be combined with narration by current residents and local people.
This personal approach will highlight the significance of the coastal village in British history and preserve many important stories and oral histories.
Sophie Little, Project Manager for ‘The Holiday Makers’ and co-founder of SOUNDYARD said: “We’re excited to have Historic England’s support to explore the coastal village of Hemsby and its rich tourism heritage. We hope ‘The Holiday Makers’ unites the vibrant community in celebrating the joy Hemsby has brought to so many people over the years.”
The Tale Collectors - Suffolk Stories Retold, The Tale Collectors - Bungay, Suffolk
The Tale Collectors are a group of five experienced musicians who specialise in working with older people experiencing loneliness and isolation. In workshops, they use music and words to engage people in telling stories of their past and everyday lives and co-create musical performances based on these untold stories.
In partnership with Musical Lifelines, who deliver sessions to tackle loneliness and isolation, The Tale Collectors will create an hour-long performance to create a picture of everyday life in rural Bungay from the perspective of local people. A final showcase performance will be held at the heritage theatre in Bungay on 31 May at 3pm and will be filmed for all to enjoy. The film will be shown in Bungay through community outreach events at three care homes for older people.
Caroline Speca, Chair of The Tale Collectors, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from Historic England and cannot wait to bring local stories to life through music and words. For those living with dementia, Parkinsons and loneliness it is vital for them to have their voice heard and this project will allow this to happen in a truly magical way.”