£55,700 boost for heritage project

North Kesteven Arts Partnership's Ridges and Furrows project has been awarded £55,700 in Heritage Lottery funding for a new scheme starting this autumn.
Lyndall Phelps with artwork from 2015 project. EMN-160628-160820001Lyndall Phelps with artwork from 2015 project. EMN-160628-160820001
Lyndall Phelps with artwork from 2015 project. EMN-160628-160820001

Ridges and Furrows is a heritage project which draws upon and celebrates the history and heritage of towns and villages in the North Kesteven area.

The project is focusing on three particular areas in the district – Welbourn, Waddington and North Hykeham.

Last year, communities worked in partnership with artists in order to explore ideas and generate interest in the Ridges and Furrows art project. Money from Heritage Lottery Fund will now allow the next phase of the project to commence.

Artists, local people and historians can come together in a series of activities and workshops to gain further understanding of local heritage and the history of their community, and explore their villages and towns at a deeper level.

Nick Jones, ArtsNK Visual Arts Manager and said: “We are so delighted with the grant from HLF that will enable us to delve deeper into the history and heritage of Waddington, Welbourn and North Hykeham.”

He adds: “We are looking forward to working with these communities to help them understand how their town or village has changed over the 20th century.

“The artists and historians employed by this project will undertake research and deliver activities and events with community groups and schools to explore how local traditions, customs and folklore, now rather hidden or even forgotten, can be revealed and creatively re-imagined.”

Lyndall Phelps was inspired by her research into the agricultural history of Welbourn last year, and will return this autumn to work alongside residents and schools to further explore the heritage of Welbourn village.

On June 19, Welbourn village hosted an open gardens event, joined by Lyndall Phelps, encouraging residents to visit the village hall and learn more about the project. Colouring and badge making stands were set up for younger villagers to enjoy.

Activities and workshops will culminate with an event to celebrate their achievements. Events will kick off in Welbourn this autumn, moving to North Hykeham for the winter and finishing in Waddington next spring.

The main aim is to establish a connection between Terry O’Toole Theatre in North Hykeham and the National Centre for Craft and Design in Sleaford.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ridgesandfurrow or go to: www.artsnk.org/projects/festivals/ridges-furrows-festival/.

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