Elsecar receives £90,000 Lottery grant for community heritage project

The 18-month scheme will include a variety of activities, projects and events taking place across the valley.

Volunteers and groups will gather memories, objects, photographs and archives to form the basis of a new People’s Collection of Elsecar.

Schools, families and local groups will mark the 200th anniversary of bridges built at the Milton Ironworks and installed on an island in the Indian Ocean.

The project will research and explore Elsecar’s global links and create a spectacular piece of community art.

Volunteer activity days with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and other partners will explore the best ways to protect and improve the natural habitats of the canal.

Young people and teenagers will explore innovative new ways of discovering Elsecar using escape rooms and gaming technology.

And local schools will help develop new learning opportunities and educational programmes for other children taking inspiration from the area and history of the village.

Cllr Robert Frost, BMBC’s cabinet spokesperson for culture and regeneration, said: “It’s an exciting time for Elsecar.

"Recognised to be an area of international importance and protected with extended conservation areas, with new scheduled ancient monuments and most of its historic buildings now listed, its history must be celebrated and shared.

"This project will allow us to work with local communities, including children and young people, collecting precious memories and objects that will tell the stories of Elsecar for future generations to come.”

Helen Featherstone, a director at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support Barnsley Museums in celebrating the fascinating heritage of Elsecar.

"Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this exciting and varied programme of activities will bring local people together, to explore the village’s important history and innovations of the time, and ensure this distinct heritage is preserved for years to come.”

Visit www.elsecar-heritage.com for more information.