Redditch Heritage on your doorstep

Redditch residents are invited to be a part of England’s largest festival of history and culture and discover heritage on their doorstep this September.

Redditch, as part of the North East Worcestershire (NEW) Cultural Compact, will be joining forces with neighbouring localities to share their history and culture for free, as part of the annual Heritage Open Days.

Organisations across Redditch will be taking part throughout September, including:

The Redditch Community Carnival, an integral part of Redditch’s history, which will be returning to the town centre on September 16 between 1.30pm and 4.30pm, with an additional exhibition all about the history of the Carnival at Redditch library between 10am and 1pm on the same day. The Carnival is back to full force for the first time since the pandemic after being rearranged last year and as well as the usual parade there will be a fancy-dress fun run beforehand, the Carnival Fete and Tommy Wilson’s Fair.

If public art is more your vibe, visitors can head to Kingfisher Shopping Centre on 8 September for the opportunity to get up close with the infamous Paolozzi Mosaics, discovering more about the historic artwork and seeing them as never before with live illustration from Laura Brodrick.

Also at the Kingfisher Centre, on the 12 September, visitors can take a trip down memory lane with their “Kingfishstory” exhibition, showcasing old shop brands such as Owen & Owen, Rumbelows and Woolworths with old pictures, tv, and newspaper ads, since the centre first opened 50 years ago.

There will also be free entry to Forge Mill Needle Museum on September 17 with tours on offer from experienced volunteer guides with a vast knowledge of the museum and Bordesley Abbey Ruins.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, Cllr Jo Beecham, said: “Compared to some of our neighbours, much of Redditch is relatively new, but we still have an abundance of history to share. As a member of the original team who, in 2019, brought the Carnival back for the first time since the Millennium, it fills me with great pride that it is now being featured as an important part of our local history. Not only is it being included in the Heritage Open Days, but there is also has a dedicated exhibition at the library celebrating the importance of this community collaboration.

“Heritage Open Days are so important but are also a lot of fun, so whether you fancy a family day out at the Carnival or if public art is more your thing, there really is something for everyone. Even better – it won’t cost you a penny!”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: “We are very proud to be a part of this festival and it is your chance to celebrate the heritage of Redditch, try new experiences and explore the culture on your doorstep.”

Local Historian and member of the Cultural Compact, Pat Tansell, said: “Please come along and enjoy the Heritage Open Days. You’ll be supporting organisations and passionate volunteers up and down the country who are working hard to share their interests and make the events happen. They provide the opportunity to see hidden places and learn about the history, architecture, and culture of your local area.”

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community-led festival of history and culture and is supported by the National Trust and made possible because of players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Events are run by thousands of volunteers and charitable organisations. This year’s festival is taking place between the 8th and 17th of September.

Founded in 1994 the festival was originally England’s contribution to European Heritage Days and has continued to grow since its launch from 701 events countrywide to over 5,000 events nearly 30 years later. In Redditch and Bromsgrove there are over 25 events taking place across the 10-day period.

Events taking place just down the road in Bromsgrove, include guided tours of the Tardebigge Locks where visitors can find out about the important history of the Tardebigge section of the Worcestershire and Birmingham Canal, Have A Go History at Avoncroft Museum and The Villeins, a local acapella group, who will be doing 30-minute performances celebrating vocal heritage in a number of churches in Bromsgrove.

This is just a handful of the events taking place across the 10-day festival. A booklet containing all of the details for Redditch and Bromsgrove is available here. For more information on any of the Open Days in Redditch, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire or further afield, go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk where interested visitors can search for events based on accessibility, interest, online or in-person or by map and postcode functions.