The Huddersfield High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) consortium has revealed that they have been awarded a £90,000 grant from Historic England.
The grant will be part of the Huddersfield HSHAZ to create and deliver community-led cultural activities throughout Huddersfield High street. It is a project spanning over the next three years.
Cultural programmes across the country
Huddersfield HSHAZ is one of more than 60 high streets across the country to be granted a share of the £6 million for cultural programmes.
Grants of up to £120,000 have been awarded to local arts organisations for cultural activity on their high streets.
Huddersfield HSHAZ consortium
The Theatre and Arts Company CHOL lead the consortium. Kirklees Council also supports the consortium and the events planned for Huddersfield high street.
The group comprises a variety of people from local interest groups, businesses, and community organisations. They will work together to plan and deliver events and activities over the next three years.
Each year will have a theme. This year’s theme is Sport and well-being, which ties in with this year’s Rugby World Cup.
2022’s theme will be Arrivals, which will reflect on the diverse communities that make-u Huddersfield.
Finally, 2023 will be Music, to run aside the Kirklees Year of Music. Townsounds – a website tracking the rich musical heritage of Huddersfield – will document the stories and sounds that make up Huddersfield’s musical DNA.
A wide range of events and activities
There will be a range of events and activities going on in Huddersfield high street. They will be concentrated in September each year to complement national heritage open days.
Events will include The Woven Festival, local history walks and talks, and a collection of ‘memories of the Square’.
This year there will be a small festival of running, walking and cycling. The activities will include the George Hotel Mile, celebrating the achievement of local athlete Derek Ibbotson, a cycling route taking in local points of history and interest., a celebration of the Rugby League World Cup,
The wide range of activities is part of the four-year-long High Streets Heritage Action Zones’ Cultural Programme. It is led by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“Bringing high streets back from the brink.”
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England, said: “The high street cultural programme is a step-change in the way we think about bringing high streets back from the brink.
“As we start to see these important historic spaces become regenerated through building work, it is the community-led cultural work that helps people to enjoy their high street again and also have a say in what the future of their high street might be.”
Vicky Storey, of Huddersfield HSHAZ Consortium leaders CHOL, said:“The consortium is over the moon to have this opportunity to deliver an exciting and engaging community-driven cultural programme in Huddersfield.
“This is a really unique opportunity for a range of heritage and cultural organisations to come together and develop a rich programme of activity exploring and celebrating the town centre’s past, present, and future. We can’t wait to share our plans and get people involved – it really is going to a programme for everyone!”
David Shepherd, Strategic Director for Growth and Regeneration, said: “The council are very happy to support this fantastic programme of events in Huddersfield.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has hit our high streets hard, and this programme will help to breathe life back into them in a vibrant and energetic way. I look forward to visiting the town centre and taking part in lots of events.”
Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage MP said: “High streets are often the heart of our communities and should be places we all want to engage with and enjoy. These grants will help transform high streets into thriving cultural hubs, encouraging us to embrace all the joys our town centres have to offer.”