Funding will celebrate working class histories

The Ramsgate Tunnels in Kent received funding from Historic England

South East rural and coastal heritage projects are being invited to apply for funding of up to £25,000 from Historic England to celebrate working class histories.

The body which protects the nation's historical environment launched the Everyday Heritage grants programme in 2022.

Since its inception, £1.8m worth of funding has gone to projects across England.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said heritage is "all around us" in the "pubs, factories, football clubs and council estates" but "often the stories of ordinary people and places aren’t included in the history records and memories of their extraordinary impact on history fade away".

"Over the past few years, projects have surpassed our expectations and now we hope that by focusing on rural and coastal heritage we can help communities uncover even more forgotten histories for us all to learn from and enjoy," he added.

Organisations can apply for the new round of funding from 16 August until 7 October.

Those applying will need to focus on heritage that links people to overlooked historic places, with a particular interest in recognising and celebrating working class histories.

Parker Pen Christmas party in 1957

Projects across the South East have already benefitted from the grant.

In February this year the Parker Pen factory in East Sussex received funding for its project on uncovering the "rich working class history" of the site.

It became one of the largest and most technically advanced pen factories in Europe.

The once-thriving Newhaven site had a 1,200-strong workforce, but after gradual dismantling, the factory was demolished in 2014.

Parker Pen factory in 1980

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