Heritage Open Days: Five events not to be missed across Black Country
We’ve picked out five events worth seeing as the national celebration of heritage kicks off.
The Black Country is a melting pot of culture, history and diversity, with unique sites and venues all across the region.
Hundreds of museums, stately homes, churches and parks are set to be visited by the public as part of the Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture.
The festival provides a chance for venues to put on special events or simply just open their doors on select days during the festival, which runs from September 11 to September 20.
We’ve picked out five events which celebrate the culture and diversity of the region and which we feel are worth a look.
If there are events you feel people should not miss, please let us know in the comments below.
Saturday, September 12 between 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Watch as characters from the past are brought to life through a digital display, venture down the crypt to hear Gervaise de Pagnall explain his inspiration for building the church, or take a seat in Mrs Coppice's kitchen for a gossip about what happened to the remains of that same church after it was rebuilt.
Children can take part in an engaging trail to uncover secrets of the building and take on family and friends for a game of giant Dudley-themed Monopoly.
Volunteers will be on hand to provide a free hot drink and a biscuit.
Sunday, September 13 between 11.30am and 2.30pm
The Art Gallery is inviting people to travel back in time to become a 1970s curator for the day and use their design skills to save the Pop Art Collection.
The event allows people to look at the exhibits in the gallery and take part in an interactive event to persuade people that Pop Art was a great idea.
People can follow the explorer trail around the Pop gallery and design a bold and colourful poster to display in the Making Space or take home.
Saturday, September 19 between 9am and 4pm
Brierley Hill Market will be filled with music, movement and vintage character in an event celebrating the character of the town.
Visitors are encouraged to embrace the theme, dress in their finest vintage-inspired outfits and enjoy performances from Vanessa Lees Vocals, Georgina Abigail Dancers and the Sadler Vintage Blinders.
They can browse the stalls, meet the traders and soak up the atmosphere as the market combines its trading heritage with music, dance and plenty of personality.
Saturday, September 19 between 10am and 4pm
Sandwell’s only purpose built theatre is opening its doors to showcase what happens behind the scenes.
Visitors can see past costumes, watch the tech team demonstrate how to create atmosphere through colours and lights and much more on a tour of the theatre.
They can also join in with a hands-on creative session where ideas spark, scripts take shape and new voices are encourage to shine at the New Writing Group Workshop and much more.
Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 between 2pm and 6pm
The public are being invited to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Barbados’ Independence with the Barbadian Heritage Project.
“Discover The Enigma of Arrival: The Politics and Poetics of Caribbean Migration to Britain” is a travelling exhibition developed by The University of the West Indies in partnership with the Barbados Museum & Historical Society alongside stories, photographs and oral histories from the Barbadian community in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
The public are welcomed to a weekend of live music, performances, storytelling and cultural activities, while helping preserve the shared heritage for future generations.
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