Heritage Fair comes to town

More than 20 exhibitors and history groups from across the town will be involved in the event at Rotherham Central Library and Arts Centre, on Saturday (22) from 10am until 4pm.

The free fair will feature groups including the Rotherham United Nostalgia Society, Friends of Boston Castle, Rotherham Family History and the South Yorkshire Industrial History as well as a restored ambulance in Walker Place from the South Yorkshire Transport Museum.

It will be opened at 10am by Cllr Iain St John, cabinet member for cultural services and sport.

He said: "The Heritage Fair has become an annual highlight for history buffs in the borough.

“Now, more and more people are coming to us with a casual interest, who end up getting hooked on heritage.

"The fair is free, comprehensive, welcoming and informative. If you have any interest in the history of the borough, your own history, or the background of where you live, the fair is the perfect place to start. Fingers crossed for a record turn out."

Also on the day:

q A new display case for the Treasure of the Archives exhibit, which has been supplied via donations, will be unveiled and dedicated to the memory of the late archivist Tony Munford.

q The Heritage Lottery Fund project Coal to Goal will invite people to get involved in the project which focuses on the history of Rotherham United.

q Celia Parker and Lisa Broadest from the Rotherham Archives and Local Studies Service will talk about the town’s Treasure of the Archives exhibitions.

The event has been organised by The Heritage Association and Rotherham Borough Council's Cultural Services.