Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga OBE has today launched a major new public award inviting the nation to vote for their favourite hidden heritage gems across the country – with the South West boasting three of the shortlisters selected for the public vote.
Created by a partnership between Heritage Open Days and UK family history website, Findmypast, the ‘Everyday History Heroes’ award celebrates the historic and cultural sites that champion the stories of ordinary people – from nurses and miners to teachers, soldiers and changemakers. The award centres on the grassroots histories that often go untold: the communities who powered industries, stood up for their beliefs, and built modern Britain.
In the South West, Bath’s Jewish Burial Ground, the Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum in Bristol and Worle History Society were selected from by a judging panel after England’s historical organisations were invited to put forward their bids for entry last month.
Established in 1812, the Bath Jewish Burial Ground is one of many religious sites which developed in the Georgian era as visitors to Bath, and the local communities which served them, increased in number. In this peaceful corner of the city, a team of volunteers works tirelessly to restore the site and uncover stories of migration, family, work and resilience that might otherwise have been forgotten.
Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge may be an engineering icon, but its story is also one of ordinary people with extraordinary belief in their city. The Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum works to uncover the lives of the bakers, dressmakers, grocers and tradespeople who invested in the bridge’s construction, delivering events, exhibitions and interactive displays that explore the people behind the landmark.
Volunteer Researcher Maggie Aherne at Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum said: ‘As one of the South West’s most iconic landmarks, the bridge exists thanks to the ordinary people who helped make an ambitious project possible. Not all of the investors were wealthy: many of them were ordinary working folk who each bought just one share. Learning about their lives puts a human face on the bridge: it isn’t just stone and iron, it’s the determination of people in Bristol and Clifton to put their city on the map.’
Behind every photograph, headstone and family memory is a story waiting to be told, and Worle History Society has spent years uncovering them. Through talks, walks, school projects and oral history recording, this small volunteer team brings village history to life for their community to reveal the people that shaped the place.
Historian David Olusoga is encouraging people to get involved and explore these sites as local gems: ‘History isn’t just about the famous names we learn in school – it’s about millions of ordinary people whose actions shaped the world we live in today. We want to celebrate the amazingly diverse heritage and cultural sites that help us connect with people of the past, and understand how families and communities like our own lived, worked, and made their mark. I encourage everyone to explore the shortlist, discover a hidden gem near you, and cast your vote.’
A total of 24 sites and teams have been shortlisted across England. The shortlisters feature a diverse mix of hidden gems and each represents a unique or unexpected interpretation of everyday history, rooted in local communities and heritage.
The public is now invited to vote for their favourite site, helping to crown England’s first-ever Everyday History Heroes. Voting is open until 31 August, with a national winner and seven regional winners to be announced on 10 September. Winners will receive a donation to help fund their community initiatives.
Vote now at: https://www.findmypast.co.uk/c/everyday-history-heroes-south-west
Helen Kaye, Director of Brand and Communications at Findmypast, said: ‘The shortlisters showcase the uniqueness and diversity of the places and people working tirelessly to tell the story of their communities – with everything from a restored rhubarb farm to an asylum cemetery. With help from our extensive digital archives, more of the nation’s everyday histories come to light every day. We’re delighted to partner with Heritage Open Days to celebrate these ‘Everyday History Heroes’, and help more people discover the hidden histories on their doorstep.’
To encourage locals to experience the sites for themselves, each of the shotlisters is offering a free Heritage Open Days event during September. This year’s Heritage Open Days festival theme, Everyday Histories, celebrates the extraordinary stories of ordinary people. As part of England’s largest festival of history and culture, all shortlisted sites will open their doors to the public for free during the festival (11–20 September) — offering a unique opportunity to explore the places behind the stories.