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As well as giving people opportunities to discover the richness of the heritage around them, HODs this year gave a real boost to local heritage organisations, allowing them to showcase their venues - on-site and virtually - after months of lockdown.
Methods to make a change
To help navigate the challenges and opportunities, we consulted widely to create new guidance, resources, and communication lines.
Staying connected:
A series of online Community Café sessions connected organisers across the country, providing a space for people to simply check in and chat as well as discuss ideas.
Taking part in the Zoom meeting that HODs organised introduced us to some people in the community that we hadn't met before, and made us see other potential connections.
Staying safe on site:
For those able to open up and run events on site there was updated guidance on risk assessments, social distancing tape and a suite of downloadable template COVID-19 posters.
AMAZING! Given the turbulence of this year, we weren't expecting anywhere near the success that we experienced. It wasn't only a great success for the business, but it was a massive morale boost to all those involved.
I thought the whole event was very well organised, innovative and informative. I particularly enjoyed talking to the young people who were both enthusiastic and articulate.
Opening up to digital:
To encourage people to explore the possibilities of digital events a Beginner’s Guide was published. This was complemented by our first webinar and a follow up topical cafe session for organisers to hear from and discuss other's experiences.
This year has been a real learning curve and it really took us out of our comfort zone... but in a good way - we have gone from digital novices to natives! We've learnt skills which will be invaluable in the future.
The difference digital made
The festival flag flew in every region of England, but opening up to digital enabled sites to welcome more people to more places, and visitors to 'travel' much further abroad!
Going where no-one could go before…
- Liskeard Railway Station Signal Box, Cornwall – Sited on a busy line, it isn’t safe to open the signal box to visitors but a new film took rail lovers up close to the action, watching as the staff signalled a train through the tracks.
- The Barn, Essex Historic Military Vehicle Association - For both safety and security reasons this restoration and storage site is off limits to the public. A digital tour gave the group a chance share their work and the stories behind an array of historic vehicles from bikes to tanks.
- Clock Tower, Royal Holloway, University of London - Not even the curator had been up the ladder before, but videoing a tour for HODs meant we could all climb it for stunning views and fascinating insights into the clock's workings and construction.
Doing things virtually meant we were able to offer experiences we wouldn't have been able to do in person.
Reaching more people…
- 575 Wandsworth Road – This remarkable town house is only open by pre-booked tours, limited to groups of no more than 6 due to the confined space and conservation concerns. A trial of interactive online tours over the festival tripled the number for each session and enabled a visitor in America to join in!
- Underground Passages, Exeter – These 14th century tunnels are a tight squeeze but a high speed video walk through meant masses of us could take a peak beneath the city streets!
- Hands across the Ocean - The Old Meeting House in Mansfield crossed the Atlantic to link up with the Congregational Church in Mansfield, Massachusetts to live stream a series of talks.
A big thank you
Many thanks to all who participated and made the festival possible this year, in the face of challenging change you made it more special than ever. Whether by attending, or planning and promoting; by providing funding or advice or indeed the all important supplies of tea and cake! THANK YOU and see you next year!
It gave us a real boost in dealing with life in the pandemic.
Save the date! HODs will be back next year: 10-19 September
Find out more
- Download our new Year in Review summary with facts and figures
- Festival Spotlights - Explore some of the fantastic events that took part this year
- Case Studies - Hear more from local organisers
- How to get involved - Feeling inspired? Why not join the community?!
- 25th Anniversary book - Learn more about the history of the festival with our anniversary book celebrating 25 Years of People Power
