High Street Tales
By Historic England
Welcome to High Street Tales. A Historic England podcast.
Starting in Autumn 2020, specially commissioned writers on seven high streets across England began work on High Street Tales: a new storytelling initiative by Historic England to uncover the hidden histories and celebrate the everyday magic of the high street. Working both online and offline where they could, they spoke with local people to uncover memories, reflections, personal histories and local legends on and around the high street. What emerged was a set of modern High Street Tales which explore the connection between history, memory and place and paint a vivid portrait of the high street.
High Street Tales is part of Historic England’s high street cultural programme; four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The programme is run by Historic England, in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
For more information go to HistoricEngland.org.uk/highstreettales or follow us on social @HistoricEngland or by using the hashtag #HighStreetTales.
Starting in Autumn 2020, specially commissioned writers on seven high streets across England began work on High Street Tales: a new storytelling initiative by Historic England to uncover the hidden histories and celebrate the everyday magic of the high street. Working both online and offline where they could, they spoke with local people to uncover memories, reflections, personal histories and local legends on and around the high street. What emerged was a set of modern High Street Tales which explore the connection between history, memory and place and paint a vivid portrait of the high street.
High Street Tales is part of Historic England’s high street cultural programme; four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The programme is run by Historic England, in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
For more information go to HistoricEngland.org.uk/highstreettales or follow us on social @HistoricEngland or by using the hashtag #HighStreetTales.
Latest episode
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BONUS EPISODE | Meet the writers | High Street Tales
Step behind the scenes of High Street Tales as the eight writers talk about the ideas, people and places that inspired their stories. You can download the ebook of all the stories at https://historicengland.org.uk/highstreettales Made in conjunction.… -
Wednesbury | Flying | story by Maria Whatton
In 'Flying', Maria wanted to capture the Black Country dialect. Growing up in Wednesbury, her character Lily May can only dream of having the confidence her friends all seem to have. On a special day when spirits stir, it’s Lily May who discovers a..… -
Great Yarmouth | Under the watchful eyes of seagulls | story by Ellie McKinlay-Khojinian & Ligia Macedo
In 'Under the watchful eyes of seagulls', writing duo Ellie McKinlay-Khojinian and Ligia Macedo explore the seaside town of Great Yarmouth. Here we dip behind the flamboyant arcades and candy-floss colours of the seafront on a visit to King Street,..… -
Hastings | Borrowed Ground | story by Robin Pridy
In Borrowed Ground, writer Robin Pridy has combined Hastings’ familiar sites, sounds and smells with the stories and memories of local people, to turn the town’s Trinity Triangle into the backdrop for the fascinating life of her character, Jackie... -
Leicester | All the Secret Postcards | story by Rod Duncan
In All the Secret Postcards, writer and photographer Rod Duncan describes a father reminiscing during a visit from his concerned daughter. Whether remembered or imagined, the past and present of his hometown, Leicester, are brought to life in his... -
Woolwich | In Between Days | story by Merrie Joy Williams
In her short story In Between Days, poet and novelist Merrie Joy Williams was inspired by the local community, who she spoke to discover this vibrant corner of London. Her story explores the rich history of Woolwich through the eyes of its teenage... -
Weston-super-Mare | The Women of Number 11 | story by Rebecca Tantony
In The Women of Number 11, writer and poet Rebecca Tantony used online conversations, socially-distanced conversations as well as the sights and sounds of Weston-super-Mare to conjure the lives of the women across the ages. You can download the ebook… -
North Shields | Time and the Shoe Man | story by Celia Bryce
In this episode, the musician and writer Celia Bryce explores North Shields high street in an otherworldly tale which follows a mysterious character on his journey through streets of the past to return a lost shoe to its home. You can download the... -
High Street Tales - Trailer
Welcome to High Street Tales. A brand new Historic England podcast. Starting in Autumn 2020, specially commissioned writers on seven high streets across England began work on High Street Tales: a new storytelling initiative by Historic England to...
