Malcolm Robinson

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 programme and HLF "˜All Our Stories' has proved a real hit and now "Bedlington"¦Our Stories" is one of hundreds of successful projects around the UK to receive a grant. Leading Link and the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust are using this project to show why the history and heritage of Bedlington is so important. Working with young people, local historians, Newcastle University, Woodhorn Museum and residents the project will produce a timeline of historical content and also produce a kind of interactive Pandora's Box which will be used to add even more stories and content. Three celebratory events are planned over the next 12 months and everyone will be encouraged to take part in those. 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 Bedlington have been inspired to get involved to tell their own story and to dig deeper into their own past. It's brilliant 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, Lyn Horton from Leading Link said, "It is a tremendous achievement to be one of the first groups in the UK to receive an HLF grant," a sentiment echoed by Malcolm Robinson from the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust. "After organising the Olympic Torch parade and a Diamond Jubilee celebration in the town, attended by over 1000 local people, this project allows us to delve a little deeper into Bedlington's history and find out a lot more about this fantastic area." "With the production of our "˜Pandora's box' and the exciting programme that we have planned to deliver in all of the local schools, this project promises to be fun, interactive and informative for all involved." Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North east, 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 Bedlington Our Stories project, as they embark on a real journey of discovery." â–