High Street Tales is a new storytelling initiative by Historic England to uncover the hidden histories and celebrate the everyday magic of the high street. 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North, 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.

High Street Tales - New Podcast Series

Join us as we travel across England visiting well-known wonders and some lesser-known places on your doorstep. From a hut in Bletchley Park where modern computing evolved, to the iron railings in London to which suffragettes chained themselves, we’ll step back in time to the very roots of our national identity to bring you the people and the stories that have helped shape England. 
Nominate a place at http://HistoricEngland.org.uk/100places | Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG
A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer, Ecclesiastical http://bit.ly/ecclesiastical-100

Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places

To celebrate the North of England’s people and places, Historic England set photographer John Kippin a challenge to explore the ‘Spirit of the North’.
This podcast series explores how the places he photographed, and the people he met, capture the North’s extraordinary history of creativity, innovation and cultural influence. We're setting out to discover whether there truly is a “Spirit of the North”. 
The photographs are inspired by "The Great Exhibition of The North" and can be viewed until 9 September 2018 at Bessie Surtees House in Newcastle.

Spirit of the North

In 'Flying', Maria wanted to capture 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 new side to Wednesbury, and herself.

You can download the ebook of all the stories at https://historicengland.org.uk/highstreettales

Made in conjunction with New Writing North and Writing West Midlands, and the series was produced by Sonderbug Productions with thanks to Darren Hayman for use of his song Pram Town. 

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. Follow us on social @HistoricEngland, using the hashtag #HighStreetTales.

Wednesbury | Flying | story by Maria Whatton

Breet Velvit Ake | By Jez riley French | Hull

Knapped Flint Cracked Concrete | By Oliver Payne | Great Yarmouth

Barrovia | By Dan Fox | Barrow-in-Furness

A Reading of London Street | By Aundre Goddard and Richard Bentley | Reading

Part of Historic England's High Street Sound Walks.

The Violinist

The Ballad Of Gracie Briney

Prodigal Son

Palace Of Dreams

Historic England Archive staff and local historian and researcher Olivia Wyatt interviewed people connected to the, now, Leeds Carribbean and African Centre to discuss their backgrounds and relationships with the Leeds suburb of Chapeltown and the Centre.

Olivia Wyatt with Ken Wenham

Olivia Wyatt with Arthur France

Helen Daniels with Cara-Mia Cruise Brahm

Olivia Wyatt with Angela Boddie and Vera Boddie

Olivia Wyatt with Arthur France MBE

Helen Daniels with Leroy Wenham

Helen Daniels with Tracy Spadone

Helen Daniels with Danny Friar

In this second podcast of the series, we look at the period from the 1820s when women became much more self-determined in their anti-slavery activities. They formed their own associations and even presented a women’s petition to Parliament. They made public their opposition to slavery by wearing badges and bags with anti-slavery emblems, just as we might do today. But these abolitionist activities were not confined to Britain; and so we also consider the ways in which acts of resistance by enslaved black women helped to bring about the end of slavery.

Researched and produced by Nicola Raimes.

This series was researched and produced by Nicola Raimes.

Credits:
Actors (in order of appearance):

Newspaper Editor - Rob Raimes
Anne Yearsley - Sarah Newey
Thomas Clarkson - Trevor Garrood
William Wilberforce - Trevor Garrood
Elizabeth Heyrick - Karoline Newman
Mary Prince - Veronique Okafor
Sarah Parker Remond - Veronique Okafor

Music: Remy Reve Encore
Reproduced with the permission of the composer and performer, Circus Marc.

Post production: Teitur Arnason at Voiceover Soho.

Further reading: Women Against Slavery: The British Campaigns 1780-1870, by Clare Midgley

Radicalism And Resistance (1823 - 1838)

In this first podcast we explore some of the innovative ways that women campaigned to end the slave trade during the late 18th century.  

This series was researched and produced by Nicola Raimes.

Credits:
Actors (in order of appearance):

Newspaper Editor - Rob Raimes
Anne Yearsley - Sarah Newey
Thomas Clarkson - Trevor Garrood
William Wilberforce - Trevor Garrood
Elizabeth Heyrick - Karoline Newman
Mary Prince - Veronique Okafor
Sarah Parker Remond - Veronique Okafor

Music: Remy Reve Encore
Reproduced with the permission of the composer and performer, Circus Marc.

Post production: Teitur Arnason at Voiceover Soho.

Further reading: Women Against Slavery: The British Campaigns 1780-1870, by Clare Midgley

Home Truths (1780 - 1815)

Join us as we travel across England to discover 100 momentous historical places. From a hut in Bletchley Park where modern computing evolved, to the iron railings in London to which suffragettes chained themselves, we’ll step back in time to the very roots of our national identity to bring you the people and the stories that have helped shape England. Nominate a place at http://HistoricEngland.org.uk/100places  |  A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer, Ecclesiastical http://ecclesiastical.com  |  Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG

Trailer

Join Emma Barnett and Science & Discovery category judge Professor Lord Robert Winston as we begin our journey through the history of science and discovery in England. Explore why ten places have been chosen from hundreds of your nominations. Nominate a place at http://HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places  |  A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical http://ecclesiastical.com  |  With special thanks to the Royal College of Anaesthetists for information provided for this episode  |  Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG

Astronomy, codebreaking & stainless steel

Join Emma Barnett and Science & Discovery category judge Professor Lord Robert Winston as we continue our journey through the history of science and discovery in England. From a little hut in Gloucestershire, to a water pump in the heart of London, explore why ten places have been chosen from hundreds of your nominations. Nominate a place at http://HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places  |  A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical http://ecclesiastical.com  |  Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG

Cholera, smallpox & immunology

Join Emma Barnett and Professor Lord Robert Winston as we continue our journey through the history of science and discovery in England. Historic England's Jane Sidell and UCLA's Professor Soraya de Chadarevian tell the story of Rosalind Franklin's extraordinary contribution to science. Ten places have been chosen from hundreds of your nominations. Nominate a place at http://HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places | A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical http://ecclesiastical.com  |  Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG

DNA, Rosalind Franklin & Photo 51

Join Emma Barnett and Science & Discovery category judge Professor Lord Robert Winston as we continue our journey through the history of science and discovery in England. Visit Jodrell Bank Observatory, home to two Grade I listed radio telescopes and a centre for groundbreaking research in the fields of astronomy and interferometry, as we explore why ten places have been chosen from hundreds of your nominations. Nominate a place at http://HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places  |  A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical http://ecclesiastical.com  |  Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG

Radio telescopes & interferometry

Join Emma Barnett, Travel & Tourism category judge Dr Bettany Hughes and De Montfort University's Dr Su Barton as we continue our journey through the history of travel and tourism in England. From pubs, to the railway age and the New World, we explore why ten places have been chosen from hundreds of your nominations. Nominate a place at http://HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places  |  A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical http://ecclesiastical.com  |  Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG

Pubs, trains & New England

Join Emma Barnett to explore more of England’s most important homes and gardens, chosen from your nominations by guest judge George Clarke. Property expert Amanda Lamb, writer Shrabani Basu and Historic England’s Louise Brennan uncover stories, humble and grand, that have shaped the way we live today. Nominate a place at HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places | A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical http://ecclesiastical.com | Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG

Public parks, allotments & a very grand design

Explore Shakespeare’s birthplace, the iconic Abbey Road Studios and a magnificent Mancunian library as Emma Barnett, Monica Ali, Clare McDonnell and Rachel Prothero reveal England’s most important Music and Literature destinations.  Nominate a place at HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places | A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

Stratford, Stereo Sound and Socialism

From the village where Austen sat at her tiny writing table to the Mayfair address where two musical greats lived hundreds of years apart, join Emma Barnett, Monica Ali, Clare McDonnell and Rachel Prothero to explore more of England’s most important Music and Literature spots.  Nominate a place at HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places | A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

Austen, Handel and Hendrix

Join Dr Suzannah Lipscomb, journalists Hazel Southam and Remona Aly, and Historic England’s Joe Flatman as they begin exploring the “Faith & Belief” category, judged by David Ison from public nominations. Find out why Stonehenge, Lindisfarne and a holy well which dates back to the Roman period have made the top 10. A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

Stonehenge, Lindisfarne and a holy well

In this episode join Dr Suzannah Lipscomb to learn about the 13 monks from York who set up Fountains Abbey over 1000 years ago and an atmospheric Jewish cemetery in Falmouth. The 100 places featured in this series have been nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of judges. Together they help tell England’s fascinating history. Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

Fountains Abbey and a Jewish cemetery in Cornwall

This episode explores the innovation at a furnace in Shropshire that is said to have been the catalyst for the Industrial Revolution. The host Dr Suzannah Lipscomb also looks at the first industrial arterial canal in Manchester and Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, known as the birthplace of the factory system. The 100 places featured in this series have been nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of judges. Together they help tell England’s fascinating history. Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

The “Birthplace of Industry”, a pioneering canal and the first factory

Visit the “mother town” of The Potteries and the last working coal staiths on the River Tyne, which is now a haven for wildlife. Host Dr Suzannah Lipscomb continues the journey through the 100 Places which have made England the country it is today with the top 10 Industry, Trade & Commerce places. The 100 places featured in this series have been nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of judges. Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

Pottery and coal

This episode looks at architecture for all and explores two fascinating Cathedrals. Join host Dr Suzannah Lipscomb as she learns more about St Paul’s Cathedral and Coventry Cathedral. The 100 places featured in this series have been nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of judges. Together they help tell England’s fascinating history. Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

St Paul's Cathedral and Coventry Cathedral

From Liverpool’s historic waterfront, to the shipyards of Newcastle and Yorkshire beaches, the coast has shaped the identity of the North of England. With artist and photographer John Kippin, we explore the history, the people and the character of the Northern coastline.

Coast of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 1

From Sheffield’s Steel to Bradford’s textiles, manufacturing heritage is still a core part of the North’s physical and emotional identity. John Kippin explores the places he photographed to reflect the North of England’s trading history.

Trade of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 2

The North of England has spawned some of the world’s most influential music, and the artists of Manchester and Liverpool have left their indelible mark on the buildings as well as the culture. We explore the influence of music and art on the Northern character with artist-photographer John Kippin and guests.

Art of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 3

This episode begins the Power, Protest & Progress category by exploring key events in our history of protest, from the site of the Peterloo Massacre, to the London home of formerly enslaved abolitionist campaigner Olaudah Equiano. The 100 places featured in this series have been nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of judges. Together they help tell England’s fascinating history. Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

Peterloo, Cable Street and Olaudah Equiano

From the Industrial Revolution to the end of the 20th Century, huge swathes of The North revolved around coal and heavy industry. From Woodhorn Colliery to Jarrow Town Hall and Orgreave, the workers and the communities left a profound mark on the buildings and the landscape.

Workers of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 4

The ancient history of the North of England has left its mark on the landscape and the culture. From the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall to the Tees Transporter Bridge and the Tyne Bridge, we explore the legacy of stone circles, winding rivers, and stories of giants.

Landscape of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 5

Where Light Falls Audio Description - Site 1

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, for her story ‘Time and the Shoe Man.’

You can download the ebook of all the stories at HistoricEngland.org.uk/highstreettales 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North, 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. 

Follow us on social using @HistoricEngland and the hashtag #HighStreetTales to stay up to date with the latest High Street news. (c) Historic England all rights reserved.

North Shields | Time and the Shoeman | story by Celia Bryce

A new podcast series celebrating the magic of the high street launches Wednesday 10 February. Eight writers have worked with local communities to explore the past of our high streets and look to their future, creating seven short stories.

High Street Tales - new series, 60 sec trailer

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 of all the stories at HistoricEngland.org.uk/highstreettales 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North and Literature Works, and the series was produced by Sonderbug Productions with thanks to Darren Hayman for use of his song Pram Town. 

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. Follow us on social @HistoricEngland and use the hashtag #HighStreetTales.

Weston-super-Mare | The Women of Number 11 | story by Rebecca Tantony

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 resident, Karim.

You can download the ebook of all the stories at HistoricEngland.org.uk/highstreettales 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North and Spread the Word, and the series was produced by Sonderbug Productions with thanks to Darren Hayman for use of his song Pram Town. 

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. Follow us on social @HistoricEngland, using the hashtag #HighStreetTales.

Woolwich | In Between Days | story by Merrie Joy Williams

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 Brigham.

You can download the ebook of all the stories at https://historicengland.org.uk/highstreettales 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North and New Writing South, and the series was produced by Sonderbug Productions with thanks to Darren Hayman for use of his song Pram Town. 

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. Follow us on social @HistoricEngland, using the hashtag #HighStreetTales.

Hastings | Borrowed Ground | story by Robin Pridy

We champion and protect England’s historic environment: archaeology, buildings, parks, maritime wrecks and monuments.

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