Save the date! 15 June 2024
ACROSS North East Lincolnshire in recent years, many schemes and projects have focussed on the restoration of our town’s historic buildings, including the Heritage Action Zone scheme, Historic England’s Partnership Schemes in Historic Areas (PSiCA), and Townscape Heritage Funding.
Work is being completed at a pace across the borough, on listed buildings such as Scartho cemetery’s lodge, the site’s Victorian waiting room and nearby chapels, Grimsby dock buildings, Alexandra Road’s stunning cast iron balconies in Cleethorpes, and Holme Hill School in Heneage Road, to name but a few. These artistic structures are a reminder of our rich past, many associated with the fishing industry, some a nod to the flamboyant Victorians and their Gothic-revival architecture.
There is a new spotlight on our local history, with people looking to heritage buildings as a source of pride and inspiration for future generations, but this work has identified a need for people with the skills required to do the work, with a major shortage nationally.
A brand-new heritage and construction skills event, ‘Heritage Construction Skills and Careers’, will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at King’s Hall, Cleethorpes, with organisers at North East Lincolnshire Council excited to showcase some of trades available to people in the area, and to introduce several of the organisations behind funding for many of our local projects.
The garden area of King’s Hall will be filled with marquees where people are welcome to observe and try hands-on construction skills from a variety of professional organisations and will be able to talk to exhibitors about their crafts. Businesses will include Ashbourne Roofing, Cyden Homes, who will focus on brickwork and plastering, Paul Booth, a stonemason responsible for restoring the famous Weelsby Woods lion, and PMC Scaffolding, who will discuss with interested individuals how to get into the trade.
Lincoln Cathedral’s Works Department will be demonstrating stonemasonry, carpentry, and leadwork, and they will also be there to talk about heritage restoration and how people can find work in these areas.
Matthew Tarling, fundraising manager at Lincoln Cathedral, said: “Attending this event will enable us to showcase some of the skills that are employed by the Cathedral on its extensive programme of restoration. It also offers a new outreach opportunity in the north east of the county.”
Inside King’s Hall, visitors will be able to talk to staff from The Lottery Fund, Heritage Lincolnshire, and Historic England, all of whom have provided funding for the many important heritage projects across North East Lincolnshire today.
Carol Heidschuster, NELC’s townscape heritage project manager for Cleethorpes regeneration, said: “This event is being funded by the Heritage Fund via the Townscape Heritage Project and is the first of its kind for this area. We are delighted to offer this event to local people, which will also be taking place on Friday for Year 9 and 10 students, as a dedicated day for school children only, and 300 school children will be attending on the day.
“The Saturday is open to the wider public, offering the opportunity to explore these skills as potential careers, and to raise awareness of traditional skills with interested people. There will be a chance to talk to the trade persons, discuss options for work locally, and to have a go in the outdoor areas!
“We will also welcome those that want to talk about maintaining their heritage properties, if they have a problem or issues with their building they would like to discuss. These are generally builds prior to 1919.”
Councillor Philip Jackson, NELC leader and portfolio holder for economy, net zero, skills and housing, said: “We are very much looking forward to this event, which will promote heritage and construction skills to not only young people, but also those with an interest in our rich history.
“Whether people walk away understanding their building a bit better, or have a new career in mind, if we inspire just a dozen people to look at these careers as a serious option, then the event will have been a success.”
This will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024, 10am to 4pm at King’s Hall, King’s Road, Cleethorpes DN35 0AJ. The hall is on the corner opposite Cleethorpes Leisure Centre.
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