Burnley residents invited to share memories 25 years after riots
Twenty-five years on from the Burnley riots, residents are being invited to help tell the story of how the town has changed.
Building Bridges Burnley is launching a major community heritage project that will collect memories, photographs and personal stories from the past quarter-century, creating a lasting record of Burnley's journey since the disturbances of 2001.
The Roots and Horizons project will explore how community relationships have evolved over the last 25 years, with residents' contributions forming part of a touring exhibition that will help celebrate the launch of the organisation's new home, Canalside on Lyndsey Street.
Organisers are particularly keen to hear from people who remember the early 2000s, as well as those who have taken part in Building Bridges Burnley activities over the years – from school programmes and community events to informal gatherings and conversations.
Contributions could include photographs, videos, creative work made in workshops, or simply personal memories.
A series of recorded oral histories will also form part of the project, capturing the voices and experiences of people across Burnley. These personal histories will then be stored in the Lancashire Archives in Preston, helping to create a significant chapter in the county’s history.
Heritage Curator Zephie said: “We are thrilled to have received funding to record and preserve a meaningful chapter in Burnley’s history and we would love to hear from residents who have been involved in Building Bridges Burnley over the past 25 years.
“Did going to one of the events as a child change your perspective on your community? Have you been a volunteer and seen how the organisation has helped to create cohesion? Do you have memories of the riots in 2001? We want to hear all about it.”
Afrasiab Anwar MBE is the chair of Trustees for Building Bridges Burnley and helped start the organisation by coaching interfaith kids’ football teams.
“We are really proud of the achievements of Building Bridges Burnley over the last 25 years,” he said. “We believe that through our work and that of other community groups, Burnley is a more tolerant and resilient place, despite the challenges we all face.
“We are happy to have the opportunity to celebrate how far we have come over the last quarter of a century and hope that the community will get involved with this exciting new project.”
The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will contribute to a long-term archive and a new podcast series sharing stories from across the community.
To take part or find out more, contact: [email protected]