The area’s history is unknown to most of its present residents but now a group of local young people are about the put that right, and present their discoveries in an imaginative way.

Thanks to a £25,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Young Roots programme members of the Killisick Youth Group, working with Groundwork Greater Nottingham, will be producing the Old Days Comic Book. By researching facts in local libraries and interviewing older residents the group of a dozen young people will piece together the history of the area, assisted by historians, archivists and the local residents’ association.

Workshops will be run by the Arnold History Group and the East Midlands Oral History Archive to equip the young historians with the skills they will need uncover relevant information and record the reminiscences of older residents. There will also be visits to local historical landmarks such as the site of the Battle of Mapperley Hills, a clash between Chartist civil rights marchers and the military in 1842.

Once the material has been collated the young people will create a local history record in the form of a comic book. Some 1000 copies of this will be published and distributed throughout the area, including to libraries, community groups and schools and an online version will be used on local websites.

Emma Sayer, Head of the Heritage lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “This project introduces a group of young people to the concept of local social history and will give them the chance to acquire a range of useful skills and to express the results of their research in an imaginative way that will appeal to others in their age group.”

For Groundwork Greater Nottingham, Executive Director Jo Bradley, said: "This project is about young people being proud of their area and their community so much so they want to write about it!"

Notes to editors

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. 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 more than 39,900 projects, allocating over £4.4 billion across the UK, including £227million to the East Midlands alone.

Further information

Roland Smith on 020 7591 6047 / rolands@hlf.org.uk or Phil Cooper on 07889 949173, HLF Communications

Tommy Bates, Fundraising Officer, Groundwork Greater Nottingham on 0115 9788212