22 May 2022 / Annie Waite

Free workshops: Uncover Hastings history

Take part in discovering fascinating history, and find out more about your heritage during sessions at the cinema starting 31 May.

Research the history of your own house and family in workshops at the Electric Palace.

You're invited to join a new community social history project uncovering the 'secrets' held within the 1921 Census, which is now available to researchers and the public.

Led in partnership by Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage, and University of Brighton (Centre for Memories, Narratives and Histories), the free workshops will run for six weeks, beginning on 31st May.

Participants will be looking through records to seek local connections to the great issues of the day in 1921. Explore themes including: The effect of World War 1 on families and women such as disabilities; war widows orphans, women’s suffrage, migration and ethnic minorities.

The project will collect images and text together to create resources for each participant by July. An artist will create a piece of work inspired by these sessions and their findings, too.

What’s involved in taking part?

  • Join six early evening workshops at either the Southwater Community Centre or
    early afternoon at the Electric Palace Cinema, Hastings with like-minded
    history sleuths to discuss and share research.
  • Plan to spend about 20 hours researching. You can spend more time if you like!
  • Get FREE advice, access to Find My Past, and research sites, tool kits, and
    access to webinars.
  • Saturday June 11th - at Southwater Community Centre, St Leonards will be a ‘meet up and chat’ from 10.30 am - 12.30pm with local historians Lucy Daish accompanied by Hastings resident and artist Lorna Crabbe, who will both introduce some practical methods and creative ideas to help you create your own personal exploration of the census.

Workshop Dates (all sessions on Tuesdays)

All sessions held on Tuesdays - starting 31st May, then on June 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and July 5th.

Group 1 - Southwater Community Centre, 1 Stainsby Street, St Leonards, TN37 6LA: 6-7pm

Group 2 - Electric Palace Cinema, 39a High Street, Hastings, Old Town, TN39 3ER: 1.30 – 2.30pm

Want to take part?

Email: contact@strikealight.org to join the free Hastings and St Leonards sessions.

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Photo by Kai Bossom on Unsplash