How do you define “heritage”?

Heritage means different things to different people. Heritage for me consists of everything tangible and intangible from the past. It can range from large-scale structures such as buildings, but also things like nursery rhymes and cultural traditions that are passed from generation to generation.

Tell us about the Dust Kickers

The Dust Kickers are a network of young people who not only care about heritage, but want to shape the way heritage is managed at a strategic level, for the benefit of other young people, but also for future generations.

[quote= Laura Hill, HLF Dust Kicker]"If there is an opportunity to create real change in something I care about, it’s a no-brainer."[/quote]

What’s it like being a Dust Kicker?

It’s been great to meet other likeminded young people, and see the variety of reasons we encounter and value heritage.

The opportunity to share your experience and thoughts with the team at HLF, and have real input into the projects, makes me feel really positive about how the heritage sector is changing for the better.

Why did you decide to apply to be a Heritage Ambassador?

If there is an opportunity to create real change in something I care about, it’s a no-brainer.

The fact that heritage organisations realise that young people are a part of their audience and they want to reach out to them is really encouraging. It’s only right that we provide insight and work with them to help them achieve this.

What first interested you in heritage? 

My parents love visiting stately homes, and when I was younger I didn’t find it that interesting (unless there was an activity park in the grounds!).

I started to find it more interesting over the years, when I heard the stories of individual people and places, and how elements of these histories are still relevant today.

You're from Liverpool. Is there a piece of North West heritage or history that particularly resonates with you?

I love all of the industrial sites: the Albert Docks in Liverpool, the canals, and the mills. They are part of a past that seems difficult to imagine now, a time when regular people were involved in creating a system so much bigger than themselves, and it affected every aspect of their lives.

What’s your favourite heritage within in the UK?

Lincoln Castle - I have lots of great memories of going there as a child.

What was the last heritage you visited?

There is a cinema room at the Museum of Liverpool, showing a film about the history of cinema - those who visited as children, and those who worked in the early cinemas.

My grandma used to work at our local cinema when she was younger, so it was nice to see something about everyday leisure time that most of us can relate to in some way. The seats are proper red-velvet cinema seats that really add to the experience - much nicer than the ones we have now!

[quote]"Understanding how things are valued by others is important, and helps us to better understand them."[/quote]

Why do you think heritage is important?

Heritage is a window into history, and not just History with a capital ‘H’, but the kind of history we all connect to without realising.

It is a part of all of our lives, and if we were to forget what happened in the past, and why, we can’t fully understand or begin to appreciate where we are today. Not everything will be important to everyone - but understanding how things are valued by others is important, and helps us to better understand them.

Do you have a favourite historical figure?

Robin Hood.

Do you have a favourite meal?

Lasagna.

Do you have a favourite film?

One Fine Day.