Basildon’s Great War Project wins Heritage Lottery Fund support

The Basildon Borough Heritage Group has received £50,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project, Forget Never, Oublier Jamias, Vergessen Niemals.

The Forget Never, Oublier Jamais, Vergessen Niemals is a project initiated by local MP Stephen Metcalfe and co-ordinated by The Basildon Borough Heritage Group in conjunction with Basildon Twinning. Linking with Basildon's Twin Towns, Meaux in France and Heiligenhaus in Germany, BBHG plans to deliver a series of commemorative projects discussing what life was like in the 3 towns between 1914 and 1918.

Bob Sheridan, Twinning Town Coordinator and Jo Cullen from Basildon Borough Heritage Group showing Simon Hobley, Development Manager of HLF East of England, our Roll of Honour folders.

Front row - Romane Lecroix - visiting from Meaux, Richard llewelyn - Basildon Twinning, Simon Hobley - HLF, Stephen Metcalfe,MP, Lisa Smith - Project Manager
Back row - Jo Cullen - BBHG, Denise Rowling- BBHG, Tony Ball - ex Basildon Council Leader and Ken Porter Chair of BBHG

The project will enable the local community to engage in a range of projects including a re-enactment of the 1914 Wickford Cricket Match on the eve of war, a young persons conference in Germany, exhibition of locally produced World War 1 displays, a Christmas Concert and re-enactment of the famous Boxing Day football match in France.

The main thrust of our work, however, will be an exhibition that will be mobile. We are asking residents of the three towns to explore what their town was like in 1914. It is important that we all value that populations from England, Germany and France were affected by the conflict and that as a result of the War our societies changed forever. The exhibition will involve photographs, letters, artefacts, historical research based on many different subjects, art and writings reflecting opinions and thoughts as well as factual information.

Volunteers, the local community and staff will have the opportunity to research the history of local residents who lived, fought and died during the war, learning exciting new tales of bravery, comradeship and sacrifice.

Throughout the project there will be the opportunity to engage with a range of interactive presentations and projects. Findings from the projects will be documented through film, photography, art and documented research and be presented to local community groups and schools by volunteers and young people involved in the project.

Basildon Borough Heritage Group believes that our culture and heritage is central to a sustainable community. Through exploring, researching and archiving the history of the Borough, we preserve our past for the enjoyment, interest and future of the local community.

Through the planned events the BBHG aim to broaden people’s understanding of the war, to commemorate and remember those that were caught up in it, to tell well known stories from fresh perspectives and to inspire and encourage learning in the years ahead.

Toasting the project

Commenting on the award, Stephen Metcalfe MP said: “I am delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has recognized the unique nature of this project and I am confident that we will create something to provide a lasting legacy to commemorate the historic events of a hundred years ago."

Stuart Hobley, Development Manager for HLF East of England said:

“The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested more than £57million in projects – large and small - that are marking this Centenary. This project is exemplary in the activities it has planned to involve local communities on both sides of the channel in exploring what the conflict meant to them. By recreating key events and documenting research through exciting, interactive film and photography projects there will be many opportunities for people of all ages to look back to the past while creating a legacy for the future. 

About Basildon Borough Heritage Group

Basildon Borough Heritage Group is a group of like minded volunteers who believe that our culture and heritage is central to a sustainable community. we aim to preserve our past for the enjoyment, interest and benefit of future generations of Basildonians. We do this by: collecting memories from people who have lived in the area for a long time, collect photographs and other keep sakes to be used at the various, exhibitions we hold in libraries and other venues around Basildon and giving talks to joins interested in local history.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 36,000 projects with more than £5.9bn across the UK.  www.hlf.org.uk.