Born and Bred will concentrate on life along the Holloway Road in Islington capturing the memories of local people, particularly those running and working in small businesses there. Meanwhile the project London’s Historical Markets will look at the heritage of four of the capital’s oldest markets; in Camden, Kensington & Chelsea, Tower Hamlets, and Lambeth. A third project, A Taste of Hackney, will be charting the history of Ridley Road Market.

“These projects illustrate how small business people and market traders have been the lifeblood of local areas, reflecting the cultural character and economic conditions in individual neighbourhoods. They will also provide local people with the chance to contribute to a social history of their areas,” said Sue Bowers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund London.

Rowan Arts has been awarded at £49,700 grant for the Born and Bred project that aims through interviews and photography to preserve the heritage of an area that is changing rapidly. A number of small businesses will be profiled giving an insight into changes and developments in the area. A team of volunteers will be recruited to carry out recorded interviews, photograph buildings and people and research in local archives including the Trades Union Congress Library Collection, The Women’s Library at London Metropolitan University, and the Arsenal Museum.

Other organisations to be featured will include the Byam Shaw School of Art and the Manor Gardens Centre which has pioneered community healthcare.

A website and book will be produced and a final exhibition, bringing together all information gathered during the project, will be held in the autumn at the Old Fire Station in Holloway and will then tour across the borough.

For Rowan Arts, trustee Helen Carpenter said: “Rowan Arts is delighted to have been awarded a grant for Born and Bred. From initial research already carried out, we know this project will enable us to capture unexpected insights and stories about aspects of life on and around Holloway Road that would otherwise remain hidden. We are very excited about the opportunities to build on our track record, not just of capturing, but of reaching out and sharing these stories in a really engaging way”

Arts organisation digital:works has been awarded a £29,600 grant for its project looking at London’s Historical Street Markets. Part of the fabric of the city, some of the capital’s markets date back centuries. The project is looking specifically at Leather Lane (dating from the 13th century), Portobello Road, Petticoat Lane and Brixton Market.

Children from local schools are studying the markets in question visiting local archives and receiving oral history training from digital:works before filming interviews with older members of the community and current and former traders. The films will be shown at the schools involved, and to local communities. They will also be available on a dedicated website and distributed on DVD to all those involved.

By studying the four markets the project aims to compare the diversity of the neighbourhoods involved and the factors that have affected continuity as well as change in London’s neighbourhoods.

For digital:works, Sav Kyriacou said: “Not only is this an opportunity for young people and their local community to understand how social and economic changes impact on their local area through the study of a street market but also to compare those changes with markets and areas in other parts of London.”

Community arts organisation A Different Drum has received a grant of £45,300 to research the history of Ridley Road Market, Dalston, looking at its beginnings in the mid 19th century, its evolution from 1900 to 1950 when its wares reflected the fact that it was at the centre of a Jewish community, to its present day persona as it reflects Turkish, African and West Indian ethnic influences. The volunteers taking part will interview local traders and residents and create a record of the research as a website, smartphone app and exhibition.

Further information

Vicky Wilford, HLF press office, on; 020 7591 6046 / 07973 401 937, email vickyw@hlf.org.uk or Phil Cooper, HLF press office, on: 07889 949 173.

Born and Bred, Ruth Robinson: ruth@rrobinson.org.uk  07729 124 658 

London’s Historical Markets, Sav Kyriacou: sav@digital-works.co.uk   07968 006 321

A Taste of Hackney, Victoria Coker:  victoria@adifferentdrumproductions.com 020 7729 5957