Historic England HAZ, Cultural Programme 2021/2022
The programme was co designed with key partners, and resulted in the delivery of a high-quality inclusive engagement programme.
Activities included pop up events in local cafes, the library, nursing homes, day and community centres. These were facilitated by the Bride of Kirkham in character, who delivered reminiscence sessions and began collecting memories. This character became a recognised figure and friend to many, as Izzie Major became Kirkham’s artist and writer in residence.
Pink post boxes were installed in various locations to enable the posting of stories and the sharing of memories connected to Kirkham. They could be found on town centre railings near listed buildings, in the community centre, local churches and the local library.
The Bride of Kirkham facilitated online zoom sessions and reminiscence sessions with local groups and organisations. Memories were preserved and shared, friendships were made, and stories told. Accompanied by the sound of laughter, joy, and the presence of tears as people recalled dear memories and past times.
Animating the high street
Connecting the community
Preserving heritage for future generations
Creating a better sense of place
The Bride of Kirkham
The engagement programme resulted in an amazing collection of memories, stories and personal accounts. Storyteller and performer, Izzie Major, worked with the community to weave them together with aspects of local heritage. Creating a story that celebrates events, individuals, buildings, and aspects of local heritage, resulting in Kirkham’s Lancashire Folk Tale, entitled, The Bride of Kirkham.
This folktale was created by the artists Izzie Major and Craig Sinclair, working with KCC and individuals from the community who actively participated Many of the illustration in the folktale, were created by pupils from local schools working with artists, in the creation of stop motion animations.
One memory focuses on Susan, who was once a Kirkham’s Rose Queens, and tells the story of how she met her husband and their first kiss! This was also performed as part of Kirkham’s pop up heritage trail performed, during a walkabout heritage event in the Town Centre.
I think it’s a wonderful project for people to get involved in. When you do something like this… you think you’re just ordinary like us, we are ordinary but when you share your memories, your stories, when you put them all together, they stop being ordinary and become something else, something extraordinary and something special.
The 12 Stories of Kirkham
These bite size animations were created by pupils from local schools, working with storyteller and performer Izzie Major, along with artist and animator, Craig Sinclair. Celebrating important aspects of Kirkham’s unique heritage, in an attempt to preserve heritage, and make it more accessible for future generations.
Audrey recounts her personal experience of being a Club Day Queen, as part of the animation that focuses on Kirkham Club Days.
“We could write a book with the amount of memories of Kirkham we have! It is an absolute honour to hear that one of my memories has been chosen by the children to work with, how lovely, I’m so happy to be involved and that this is happening in Kirkham!”
The Lancashire Folk Tale, The Bride of Kirkham and The Twelve Stories of Kirkham were celebrated at pop up cinema events in Kirkham Town Centre, open to schools and the wider community.
The Bride of Kirkham, assisted by volunteer Barbara Parkinson, performed the Bride of Kirkham, at a Pop-Up Heritage Trail, an interactive performance that encouraged audience participation, in Kirkham Town Centre.
