Elsecar Heritage Centre is getting involved in Heritage Open Days, billed as England’s biggest festival dedicated to history and culture, putting on a run of complimentary talks and shows plus a themed display looking back at South Yorkshire’s history.
Developed with RSPB Old Moor, the exhibition traces how the Dearne Valley shifted from an industrial hub into a significant wildlife and conservation site, and will be shown at RSPB Old Moor between 12 and 20 September alongside contributions from Hemingfield Colliery, Wentworth Woodhouse, Doncaster Archives and Wombwell History Group.
Attendees at Elsecar itself can catch a run of complimentary sessions covering the figures, locations and industries central to the area’s past. Among the highlights is Remember the Coal, in which Alan Wood and John Snook use song, storytelling and personal recollection to explore South Yorkshire’s mining communities — with a further open-air performance staged at nearby Hemingfield Colliery.
Discover the stories
Councillor Sam Burdett, Cabinet Spokesperson for Communities at Barnsley Council, said: “Heritage Open Days are a fantastic opportunity to discover the stories that have shaped our communities. Thanks to the hard work of staff, volunteers and partner organisations, this year’s programme brings local history to life and gives people of all ages the chance to learn more about South Yorkshire’s rich heritage.”
Elsewhere in the programme, sessions cover the Dearne Valley’s industrial-to-wildlife transformation, everyday life in and around Elsecar, the story of a local First World War nurse, Wentworth Woodhouse’s heritage, and Elsecar’s own industrial links to Sheffield’s steel trade, alongside Remember the Coal itself.
Everything is free to attend, though spaces are limited and booking ahead is advised — email elsecarheritagecentre@barnsley.gov.uk or call 01226 740203 to reserve a place. The Elsecar programme forms part of a much wider set of Heritage Open Days events taking place across the borough.
