Stokey based Round Our Way Old Time Music Hall Project has won Heritage Lottery Fund Support.

Unity Arts have successfully bid for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to support a project called Round Our Way. It is open to all who live in Hackney, Islington or Tower Hamlets who want to learn about the most democratic of art forms, Old Time Music Hall. It echoes all around us, Waterstone’s at Islington Green, Marie Lloyd’s house in Hackney, Wilton’s Hall in Poplar and there are huge audiences for variety leaning TV shows like Britain’s Got Talent.

The project will enable participants of all ages to discover their local history through research, museum visits and talks from local experts from January to June whilst learning new skills to produce an exhibition and performance at Hoxton Hall in June 2012. www.hoxtonhall.co.uk

Commenting on the award Unity Arts Director, Lil Warren said, “Its especially thrilling and important to receive the HLF award when so many projects for people round our way are being slashed”.

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund London, Sue Bowers, added, “This is a great project highlighting a significant chapter in British theatrical entertainment in the 19th and 20th centuries. It brings together local young people and volunteers from the rest of the community to celebrate, learn about, and share their local heritage”.

The project will be based in Stoke Newington but we will be out and about all over London delving into our heritage.

There will be an opportunity for participants and volunteers to find our more about the project on January 20th 5pm – 7pm at St. Mary’s Church, New Church Rooms, Stoke Newington where we will be having tea, cake and talk.

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