New Co-Op Foundation Grant to Share Elsecar’s Hidden Histories 

We’re delighted to announce that Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust has been chosen as one of Co-Op Foundation’s causes to help us uncover and celebrate the lesser-known histories of Elsecar. 

Co-Op Members can now officially support Barnsley Museums and Heritage Trust as part of the Co-Op Local Community Fund. The more members who choose our cause, the more funding our project will receive. 

You can select our cause on the Co-Op App and directly contribute to preserving Elsecar’s hidden stories for future generations. Our cause ID is 99977.

Co-Op are also giving us the opportunity to raise extra funds through new member sign-ups. For every new Co-Op member that joins using the link below, our cause will receive £5. 

https://coopapp.onelink.me/ftOk/qihs35ks

This exciting new project will enable us to collect stories and memories from the community to create accessible community information boards that tell the story of some of the village’s forgotten places – including the old Gasworks, past archaeological digs, and Elsecar’s historic connections with Wentworth. 

The people of Elsecar have told us they want to learn more about the village’s hidden past, and we couldn’t agree more. Through this project, we’ll be holding community workshops to gather stories, memories, and local knowledge before they are lost to time. These workshops will give residents the chance to help shape how Elsecar’s history is shared and interpreted for future generations. 

We’ll continue to work closely with the Barnsley Blind Association to make sure that all interpretation is fully accessible, ensuring that everyone can experience and enjoy the rich history of the area. 

Our project will also include school workshops, giving young people the opportunity to learn about their local heritage and share their own ideas about how it should be presented. By involving children and young people, we hope to inspire the next generation of heritage enthusiasts and storytellers. 

In addition to sharing Elsecar’s stories, the project will help promote local walking routes, especially the scenic path from Elsecar to Wentworth village. Walking is not only a wonderful way to explore our area’s history – it also has proven benefits for physical and mental wellbeing. 

Together, we can celebrate Elsecar’s rich past, share its untold stories, and ensure that its heritage remains accessible for all.