Introduction to the Project

Convenience Gallery is delighted to be working with Historic England to uncover the working class histories of Birkenhead. This is part of Historic England’s Everyday Heritage Grants: Celebrating Working Class Histories. A new grant scheme was launched by Historic England earlier this year to support community-led projects and further the nation’s collective understanding of the past.


Working with the local community, this project will undertake research, workshops, share stories and hold a community event to recognise Birkenhead’s working class history. The town’s rich heritage includes Lairds Shipyards, Birkenhead Market, Birkenhead Park, The Laird School of Art, Mersey Ferries, Birkenhead Priory and Tranmere Rovers FC. The project will ensure that everyone involved has shaped the work to demonstrate a place where ordinary people work and live.


Andrew Shaw, Convenience Gallery Director, said: “Receiving the award for this project is a massive honour. We’re excited and proud to work with local people to explore and tell the working class histories of the town. Birkenhead is home to the first municipal park in the world, pubs of historic significance, the first art school outside London, the shipyards and so much more. Our whole ethos as a community interest company is about making accessible ways for people to come together through arts and culture. We can’t wait to get started.”


If you are interested in contributing to this project please fill in the form on the site. The first stage of this project will be focussed on research. We want people to share their personal stories with us to help build up a big picture. This first stage will inform community events and workshops further in the project. 


The first public facing point to get involved will be on the 20th August at our Summer Arts Festival Event. You can register free tickets for that event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/362168665227



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