Thanks to National Lottery players, the project will involve the collection of photographs, documents, and oral histories relating to the village and will be stored digitally and presented via a website and web archive. The project is led by volunteers from the local community and focuses on all aspects of life in Hambleton and how it has changed over the years.

The project will make the history available to everyone and enable anyone with an interest in Hambleton or the aspects covered, for example the history of farming, to search the data collected. The initial phase will concentrate on the last 100 years but will include a timeline showing events as the dates are identified, for example when the church was built, the date the old and new schools were built.

If anyone is interested in volunteering or who has any information relating to life in Hambleton, whether or not they still reside in Hambleton, HHRAA would love to hear from them. Volunteers will be involved in the collection and scanning of photographs and documents, searching archives for information or collecting oral histories. Training will be given to volunteers in all aspects of the data collection and storage so there is no need for anyone to worry if they feel they don’t have the right skills.

Hambleton has existed for many years as it was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. HHRAA is an organisation that is interested in collecting and preserving the history of Hambleton. Like so many villages it is changing beyond recognition. Hambleton was a farming village with a large number of the residents working on the local farms, now the majority community to Leeds, York or other localities to work.

Commenting on the award, Celia Barnes said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the website and archive of Hambleton History will ensure that the history is preserved for future generations. We also hope to record current activities as today’s news is tomorrow’s history.”

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This project is a wonderful opportunity for the Hambleton community to delve into their local heritage and we are delighted to be able to offer this grant so that the Hambleton History Research and Archive Association can embark on a real journey of discovery. Heritage means such different things to different people, and HLF’s funding offers a wealth of opportunities for groups to explore and celebrate what’s important to them in their area.”

Notes to editors

Hambleton History Research & Archive Association (HHRAA) was formed in March 2015 after a village meeting to establish whether there was sufficient interest in the village to form an Association to collect and preserve the history of Hambleton and to create the web site and web based archive. Web based storage was chosen as it ensures the maximum number of people can have access to the data collected and preserve it for future generations. 

Further information

Celia Barnes at Hambleton History Research & Archive Association (HHRAA) on celia.barnes755@btinternet.com.