Routes to Peace Heritage Trail - a digital community peace trail for the 21st century
The Peace Museum UK is one of the first groups in the UK to receive a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) All
Our Stories grant, it was announced today. This exciting project A Route to Peace in Bradford, led by the
Peace Museum UK, has been given £10,000 to produce a digital interactive trail of BD1 (Bradford City
Centre). The trail will use Aurasma technology and will be available to download as an ap, for smart
phones and other hand held devices from June 2013. The trail will tell the story of significant peacemakers, events and social reformers in Bradford’s recent and distant past.
All Our Stories, a brand new small grant programme, launched earlier this year in support of BBC Two’s
The Great British Story – has been designed as an opportunity for everyone to get involved in their
heritage. With HLF funding and support, community groups will carry out activities that help people
explore, share and celebrate their local heritage.
The popular series presented by historian Michael Wood and supported by a programme of BBC
Learning activities and events got thousands of us asking questions about our history and inspired us to
look at our history in a different way through the eyes of ordinary people.
The Peace Museum is the only one of its kind in the UK. It is situated in small galleries on the top floor of
one of Bradford’s many fine Victorian Buildings and is easily accessible from Bradford’s bus and train
stations. The history of peace is often un-told. The Peace Museum highlights the stories of the countless
number of people who have worked to bring an end to extremism, conflict, violence and inequality and
who have attempted to create understanding, peace and cohesion.
The Routes to Peace Heritage Trail will involve young people and children, in researching stories of local
peacemakers, social reformers and important local events; writing and producing a guided trail and then
leading community walks around the area, using the latest in technology to tell stories of importance and
of relevance to all. The trail will form an integral part of the Bradford Routes to Peace Season 2013.
The Great British Stories programme and HLF All Our Stories has proved a real hit and now the Peace
Museum UK is one of hundreds of successful projects around the UK to receive a grant.
TV presenter and historian Michael Wood, said: “We British love our history, and no wonder: few nations
in the world, if any, have such riches on their doorstep, and so much of it accessible to all of us. It is
really tremendous that the people of Bradford have been inspired to get involved to tell their own story
and to dig deeper into their own past. It’s brilliant that so many people are being given the chance to get
involved through the All Our Stories grants. Having travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles
this last year filming The Great British Story, I am certain that fascinating and moving stories will be
uncovered which will not only bring to life the excitement of local history, but will illuminate and enrich
every community’s connection with the national narrative.”
Commenting on the award Diane Hadwen said “The Peace Museum is delighted to get this grant and
can’t wait to start work with young people on researching and retelling ‘Our Stories’. Bradford has a
fantastic heritage and a wealth of little known stories of peacemakers and peace-making endeavours
that have had a huge impact not just on the local community, but on the national and international stage
too. These stories are often ‘untold’ and this is a chance to make sure that they are no longer hidden.
We are really excited about researching, telling and sharing these stories and using new technologies to
help us to do so.”
To find out more or to see how you can get involved please contact info@peacemuseumuk.org.uk,
01274 – 780241 or visit www.peacemuseum.org.uk for regular updates.
Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Clearly the success of
All Our Stories has reinforced the fact that we are indeed a nation of story tellers and that we want to
explore and dig deeper into our past and discover more about what really matters to us. This is exactly
what the grant will do for the Peace Museum UK’s Route to Peace Heritage Trail Project as they embark
on a real journey of discovery.”
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and
transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and
enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural
traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,000 projects, allocating
£4.9billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk.
BBC Learning
BBC Learning plays a central part in meeting the BBC's purpose of promoting education and learning.
Utilising the power of the BBC's big brands and key talent, the department puts learning right at the heart
of the BBC and provides a variety of resources and learning opportunities for children, teachers, parents
and adult learners. Working with partners and in local communities, BBC Learning aims to stimulate
interests and encourage engagement through a variety of campaigns across all BBC genres and
platforms.