Project puts Paignton at the heart of British history

A new art project seeking to reveal the untold stories of working people in Paignton has been selected by Historic England to receive two years of funding through the Everyday Heritage grant programme.

Historic England, a public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, created the Everyday Heritage grant programme to celebrate working-class history across the country.

Torbay community interest company Filament Works hopes to do just that through ‘Strandline', a project exploring the lives of local working people in Paignton, revealing stories that have gone untold and uncelebrated for generations.

Historic England received over 380 applications and has chosen to fund 56 community-led projects – seven of which are in the South West - that will explore the diverse stories of people and places at the heart of British history.

Wherever people live they are surrounded by historic buildings, landscapes and streets, industrial or coastal heritage. These projects hope to see people of all ages explore these valued local places and celebrate their ‘everyday’ shared heritage.

The new projects will reveal and celebrate fascinating untold stories from across the South West, encouraging people to engage with their local heritage, supporting them to tell their own stories, in their own way, and to connect with others in their local communities.

The Strandline project will look at the relationships between the buildings and the inhabitants of the Bishop’s Palace in Paignton and the surrounding area, placing the issues facing today’s communities within a historic context.

Organisers said that by “Working with participants from diverse backgrounds and those who do not typically engage in creative processes, Strandline will reveal stories of rights, protest and rebellion in Paignton, and imagine a new story of possibility and the promise of connection.”

The total amount of funding awarded by Historic England will be £875,000 ranging from £6,800 - £25,000 per individual project.

Rebecca Barrett, South West Regional Director at Historic England, said:
“There are so many hidden histories to uncover here in England. Every community has a story to tell and we want to hear them.

“This is the strength of our Everyday Heritage grant programme, which funds projects that are community-led and really engage with local people by empowering them to research and tell their own stories.

“I’m excited to learn more about these fascinating projects as they shine an important light on our working class heritage.”