HERITAGE HEROES ARE HONOURED FOR THEIR VOLUNTEERING

[TWO HERITAGE HEROES have been recognised for their exceptional service to the UK’s heritage sector. The Heritage Heroes Awards, now in their 13th year, are the Heritage Alliance’s celebration of the outstanding contribution Britain’s heritage volunteers make to society.

Volunteers are vital for the protection of our heritage. From caring for rural heritage sites to engaging the next generation of visitors, volunteers’ skills, passion and commitment are the backbone of the heritage sector.

The awards were presented by Faith Kitchen, customer segment director at insurers Ecclesiastical, which sponsors the awards, at a special Heritage Day event in March. Each of the winners received an Ecclesiastical Heritage Hero 2022 winner presentation plaque. Speakers at the event included Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson, René Olivieri – chair of the National Trust – and Peter Aiers OBE, Master and Chief Executive of The Charterhouse.

The winners of the 2022 Ecclesiastical Heritage Hero Awards were: Ecclesiastical’s Heritage Hero Award – David Kennedy

The award celebrated David’s contribution to Coombe Conduit, an ancient waterworks in Kingston upon Thames, during the past 10 years. David has organised volunteers, engaged and educated visitors, created an online tour to ensure the site was still accessible during the pandemic, and led and inspired many school and student parties.

The award celebrated the Chinatown History Champions’ contribution in revealing the neighbourhood’s heritage, engaging visitors through storytelling and contributing to anti-racism work in Chinatown, London, through engaging walking tours.

Commendations were also awarded to recognise outstanding achievements among the other nominees for 2022. For the Heritage Hero Award, a commendation was awarded to the Volunteer Wreck Custodians who look after 64 protected wreck sites. For the Heritage Storyteller Award a commendation went to A Thames Lark for engaging young people with research through an immersive event along the Thames.

Lizzie Glithero-West, CEO of the Heritage Alliance, commented: “It has been truly inspiring this year to see so many examples from across the breadth of our sector of the formidable contribution of heritage volunteers to preservation, engagement and access. David represents so many longstanding volunteers who are leaving an impressive educational legacy.

“Chinatown History Champions showcases how volunteers working together are critical ambassadors of the role heritage has to play to catalyse diverse communities. I’m also delighted that the, often unsung, heroes who monitor and look after our precious wreck sites in this 50th anniversary year of the Protection of Wrecks Act have been recognised for their invaluable contribution here.” q