Historic Britain launches new project celebrating the history of the working class with rare images

The British History public body will award grants to explore the country’s working-class heritage, with a focus on railways, mines, factories, pubs and clubs

We made the Industrial Revolution, but now we risk losing our place in history.

The factories, railroad buildings, terraces and corner shops that maintained the way of life before the iPhone era are disappearing.

Some were saved from the bulldozers by being granted Listing Status, but too many were lost.

At the heart of this cultural devastation was the obsession of the middle and aristocracy for the castles, country houses and estates of the wealthy.

When it comes to public funding, the legacy of working-class history is rarely considered.

Who cares when my 19th-century bunker, Railway Terrace, is turned into ruins?

Historically Britain has now stepped in to change all of that, with the promise to shift the focus from beaters to toileters. Period!

The public body will award grants to explore the country’s “ignored” working-class legacy.

The focus will be on railways, mines, factories, pubs, clubs, shipyards and council quarters. They might start in Batty Moss, the site of shanty towns for the men who worked – and died – building the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.

Community organizations can apply for a prize of up to £25,000 to fund projects that celebrate the environment near them.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “The history of great castles and houses and their inhabitants is well-documented, but we know less about their everyday heritage. me – places where most people have lived, worked and played for hundreds of years.

“We wanted to uncover these untold stories and celebrate the people and places at the heart of our history.”

History England should also provide a list of all active men’s clubs at risk of closing.

Pubs have popped up in mining villages like South Elmsall, near Pontefract, but clubs still struggle, with loads of oral histories.

Defenders of our legacy should put a stop to the destruction of hundreds of old-fashioned signal boxes, like the jewel in Shrewsbury, as the system moves to a dozen Fat Controllers. The corner shop is the headquarters of many towns and villages.

They also deserve attention before being crushed.

I would also like to nominate channel restoration projects like the Chesterfield channel.

Some old factories have been saved by converting them into apartments and business premises.

But some still exist in former textile towns such as Dewsbury.

Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston, a former business and executive advisor to Google, said: “I welcome the plans for new community-led projects to tell the stories of people working across the country. country, reviving our common and collective history.”

Nice words, but a little patronizing.

What do you think? Have your opinion in our comments section below

And Minister Tory did not say how much will be invested in the program, which will only last three years.

The time scale is tight. Grant applications will open on Wednesday, with a closing date of May 23.

The trouble with this initiative is that it relies entirely on competition from the Tory community to make money.

Historical Britain does not go out to identify and save places. But I wish the enthusiasts well on the campaign to save the people’s true story.