The People of Tyldesley Meet the Hamish Ogston Foundation Heritage Building Skills Programme

Members of the local community in Tyldesley had the opportunity to learn about the Hamish Ogston Foundation Heritage Building Skills Programme [Historic England]

Historic England recently hosted a stall at the ‘For Tyldesley’ Heritage Skills Market, a celebration of the past, present and future of Tyldesley, and showcasing the Hamish Ogston Foundation Heritage Building Skills Programme at the event.

Organised by the ‘For Tyldesley’ community group, the Heritage Skills Market is an annual event designed to boost the town centre and shop fronts in Tyldesley and it is part of Historic England's ‘High Street Heritage Action Zone’ programme. The Market has activities for all ages and provides opportunities to learn more about the local heritage of Tyldesley.

This year’s event featured a range of stall holders with practical demonstrations and family-friendly activities to participate in, such as putty pointing and wood carving. A key goal of the For Tyldesley community group is the transformation of the town through the restoration of its many historic shop fronts. The ‘design your own shopfront’ workshop at the Market offered free planning and design advice to the local community. Also at the market were expert heritage contractors and organisations, speaking to locals about the role of heritage skills training in the protection of historic buildings and the great opportunities inherent to a career in the heritage sector.

Members of the local community in Tyldesley had the opportunity to learn about the Hamish Ogston Foundation Heritage Building Skills Programme [Historic England]

 Events such as the Heritage Skills market in Tyldesley are key to raising awareness of the need for skilled labour in the heritage sector. A £4.3 million grant from the Hamish Ogston Foundation supports the Heritage Building Skills Programme, showcased at the market. The central objectives of this heritage skills training programme are to increase the survival chances of irreplaceable historic buildings and also to provide young people – regardless of their socio-economic background – with opportunities to learn unique skills which offer viable, lifelong careers.

To learn more about the Hamish Ogston Foundation Heritage Building Skills Programme, please click here.