Play a part in preserving history
By Eloise Clarke
12 July 2010
Tower Hamlets’ Local History Library &
Archives is looking forward to running its first 12-month
traineeship in heritage skills next year, thanks to funding from
the Heritage Lottery Fund.
As part of National Archives project
Opening Up Archives, two local school-leavers will receive
on-the-job training in skills such as cataloguing, preservation and
research.
Opening Up Archives, funded by the Lottery
Fund’s Skills For The Future programme, is a nationwide project
providing work-based training and helping build a more diverse
workforce in the field of archives and local history.
In a unique collaboration with Brick-Lane
Bengali heritage group the Swadhinata Trust, the trainees recruited
in 2011-2012 will be of Bengali descent and will be managed and
mentored by the two groups.
Archives reflecting the Bengali presence in
Tower Hamlets will be added to borough collections and catalogued
by the trainees, and there will be exhibitions designed to attract
a wider audience.
“This is a very important opportunity for
Tower Hamlets,” said Cllr Denise Jones, lead member for culture and
creative industries.
“This borough has a history like no other
and it’s vital our archives reflect this, and are well maintained
to prevent any part of the rich historic tapestry of events being
forgotten in future.
“As well as looking after the archives, we
also need skilled staff with a passion for keeping history alive
and making it accessible for everyone.
“This is the first time we have worked
together with a Bengali heritage organisation to help achieve
this.”
For more information email localhistory@towerhamlets.gov.uk
or call 7364 1290.