St Helens Heritage Festival to return this May

Article date: 25 April 2024

Organised by St Helens Archive Service as part of the Creative Underground project, the day will see a number of local heritage groups, historical societies and other organisations come together to showcase the borough's uniquely fascinating and varied history in two rooms under one roof.

Whether you are a train enthusiast keen to know more about the borough's influence on the railway, with the Rainhill Trials - the 200^th anniversary of which will be marked in 2030 - being held here, or an avid rugby league fan wanting to get up close to some retro St Helens R.F.C. memorabilia from the club's 151 year history - there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.

Meanwhile, a vintage bus - courtesy of Northwest Museum of Road Transport - and classic cars will be out on display in Victoria Square, with entertainment and children's activities making this the ideal free family day out.

St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, Councillor Anthony Burns, said: "I'm delighted to see St Helens Heritage Festival return after last year's success which attracted more than 700 people, including visitors from across the city region, into our historic town hall which is the perfect setting to host such an event.

"Our borough is steeped in heritage, being the birthplace of the railway and England's first industrial canal, as well as world leaders in glass, pharmaceuticals - and of course, home of the mighty St Helens R.F.C. - one of the most decorated rugby league clubs in the world.

"This day is dedicated to celebrating our identity and what makes us proud, so come along and maybe learn something new about our great borough which has more than played its part throughout British history."

St Helens Heritage Festival will take place in St Helens Town Hall on Saturday 25 May between 10:00am-3:00pm, with refreshments available.

Creative Underground is a two-year National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project, coordinated by St Helens Archive Service which aims to establish a legacy of positive heritage outcomes in the region by re-establishing a heritage network, improving skills and supporting groups and organisations.

Exhibitors joining the St Helens Archive Service team on the day include:

Bookstop St Helens
Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust
Friends of St Helens Cemetery
Haydock Untangled
Merseyside Industrial Heritage Society
Momo's Community Café
Northwest Miners Heritage Association
Northwest Museum of Road Transport
Rainford Heritage Society
Rainhill Civic Society
Rainhill Railway & Heritage Society
Saints Community Development Foundation
Saints Heritage Society
Sankey Canal Restoration Society
Sankey Valley Project World Heritage Status Bid
St Helens Archive Service
St Helens Art Club
St Helens Choral Society
St Helens Historical Society
Sue Gerrard - Historian and Author
The Smithy, Eccleston
The World of Glass
U3A St Helens Local History Group