Festival of Built Heritage returns to celebrate Barrow’s history

A free festival to celebrate Barrow’s built heritage is to take place in December. Organised by Barrow Borough Council, the festival will take place on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December. It…

A free festival to celebrate Barrow’s built heritage is to take place in December.

Organised by Barrow Borough Council, the festival will take place on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December.

It was originally due to take place in September but was postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Festival of Built Heritage will take place across a number of venues in the town.

Among the activities planned are:

  • High Street Heritage Action Zone tours and Town Hall tours
  • sign painting workshops at the Nan Tait Centre
  • stonemasonry taster sessions at the Town Hall
  • a film screening at The Forum by Signal Film & Media
  • stained glass demonstration sessions by Cumbria Stained Glass at the Town Hall
  • display boards on Abbotswood in Barrow Town Hall.

The activities are funded through the High Street Heritage Action Zone’s Re:Discover Barrow project - a £1.1m scheme funded by Historic England to improve local engagement with heritage and provide cultural activities centred around the historic Duke Street area.

Councillor Helen Wall, Lead Member for Heritage and Wildlife at Barrow Borough Council, said: “This event builds on the successful tours of Barrow Town Hall held for the national Heritage Open Days last September.

“We are glad that this event has been rescheduled from September as we always get a great amount of interest from the public.

“It offers a great opportunity for residents to get involved, learn more about the history and heritage of the town and gain an appreciation for how and why it was built the way it was.

"People love the town hall and always enjoy a chance to see inside and hear its stories.”

All events are free, but some require booking due to limited numbers.

More information on all events is available here: Home - The Forum Barrow Tickets can be booked through The Forum box office – 01229 820000.