Heritage Counts 2002 - 2008, Yorkshire & Humber

In the pages that follow, the Yorkshire and Humber Historic Environment Forum has chosen a selection of case studies which illustrate the inseparable link between communities and heritage, and how heritage can actually strengthen communities. This might be by creating connections between different cultures and age groups, or where funding for the historic environment brings new income to the local economy, or it might be simply about giving people the tools and the confidence to get involved and to speak up about what they value.

The strong link between heritage and community was acknowledged in the foreword to A Force for our Future in 2001, when the Secretary of State described the historic environment as something ‘which can bring communities together in a shared sense of belonging’. Five years on, the public value of and participation in heritage is at the forefront of the work of the sector, for example through the launch of the major national campaign History Matters – Pass it On. 2006 has also seen the publication of the first statistics from the Department for Culture Media and Sport Taking Part survey, designed to assess participation rates across all cultural activity, including heritage. It is therefore timely to look at the theme of communities and heritage more closely.

This report suggests that community activity in heritage projects is widespread and well supported in the region. However, there are still issues about providing people with the capacity and confidence to experience and engage with the historic environment. It is heartening that two thirds of people participate in some way in the region’s historic environment; however, this rate is lower than the national average.The partners in the sector share an ambition to find ways to encourage more communities and individuals to visit and enjoy the historic environment.

This report is aimed at a wide range of groups, agencies, organisations and individuals with an interest in communities and heritage.We hope it provides an introduction to some of the policy issues and inspirational projects in Yorkshire and the Humber region on that theme.

MADDY JAGO CHAIR,YORKSHIRE AND HUMBER HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT FORUM

For more information about Heritage Counts visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/hc2006/