Plea for volunteers for Mansfield Revived project

A black and white photo of Leeming Street in 1925

A call has gone out for volunteers to support Mansfield Revived, a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project which aims to help restore historic buildings in parts of the town centre.

The Mansfield District Council-led project is supported by £850,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered in partnership with Mansfield BID, Vision West Nottinghamshire College and Nottinghamshire County Council.

It aims to help the owners of Victorian and Georgian buildings the Market Place and Leeming Street Conservation Area improve their properties in a way that is in sympathy with their heritage. They can apply for grants covering up to 75% of the cost of making improvements.

The five-year scheme will also have a programme of community activities and events in which anyone can take part. They include conservation and restoration workshops, historical research, oral history gathering, writing and story-telling, street theatre, art and photography activities.

Mansfield Revived is part of a wider vision by the council to improve the appearance and vibrancy of the town centre and to put the district on the map as a great place to live, work, invest in and visit, aligning with council priorities for growth, aspiration, wellbeing and place.

The long-term aim is to help Mansfield meet the challenges of the changing face of the high street by encouraging more independent retailers and making the town centre as much a place for socialising, entertainment and living in, as it is a place for shopping. 

Cllr Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth, said: "This is a fantastic scheme and we've already got lots of partners on board, including our museum and theatre, artists, photographers and writers, and local groups and educational establishments. 

"But we also need volunteers to help deliver these events. In particular, we would like to hear from people interested in carrying out historical research and digging around for information on old Mansfield at the museum, library and archives.

"We also would love to hear from budding reporters who can interview older residents and gather oral histories of the town. This is great chance to learn new skills and put something back into the community."

Other volunteer opportunities are: 

  • Writers, designers and printers to produce a project booklet.
  • People who can help spread the word about the project via social media.
  • Would-be photographers who can learn new skills and record the townscape area before and after the improvements.
  • Town guides who can lead visitors on heritage walks.
  • General helpers to make sure our events are inclusive, safe and enjoyable.

Training for these roles can be provided where appropriate. 

Anyone interested in taking part can contact Pete Brown, Mansfield Townscape Heritage Project Community Participation Co-ordinator, at brownp@mansfield.gov.uk or by calling 07811 693870.

Property owners interested in applying for a grant, should visit our Townscape Heritage Project page.

Published: February 26th 2020