New Year Honours – 2024 festival favourites

Each year we keep an eye out for those entries that really sparkle - the images that catch the eye, the titles and descriptions that make you want to know more. You could have the best event in the world but for people to come to that event, to know it is happening, the way you present it matters - particularly in the crowded marketplace of our event directory! Here are some of the wonderful entries that really stood out for us last year...

Media knock outs

These events featured the most in press pitches. Key to their success: details were submitted to us early (including an image!) with titles and descriptions that caught the team's, and later the media’s attention.

• NYMR (North Yorkshire Moors Railway, North Yorkshire): From station tours and signal box demonstrations to an archive open day and board game night! There were 13 brilliant events to encourage people to explore this wonderful heritage railway over the festival. 
• Reculver Towers (English Heritage Volunteers, Kent): 'The towers are open for the first time in many years after an extensive conservation project. Meet the team to learn more of the history while exploring inside.'

Inspiring images

A picture's worth 1,000 words... and they're the first thing people tend to look at on a page. So with thousands of listings on our event directory, they make all the difference. Here are three that proved popular last year:

 Oldham Microscopical and Natural History Society (Oldham Libraries, Greater Manchester): 'Discover some of the fascinating webs, cycles, networks and connections within our natural world.'

Tantalising titles

What’s in a name? A lot! After an image, it’s the first thing to catch someone’s eye when looking through event listings. Since we started these awards our community has really upped their game on this front, making this a hotly contested category! Here are the team’s favourites from last year:

• What's down there? + What's up there? (Haden Hill House, Sandwell Museums, West Midlands): Two great events with titles to match: 'Get a rare chance to have a look down the cellar at Haden Old Hall and discover what lies beneath!' + 'Unlock and discover some of the secrets of our attics and take a unique glimpse behind the scenes.'

• Are we nearly there yet? A history of transport (RAMM, Devon): 'Join assistant curator, Holly Carter-Chappell on a free tour of RAMM's exhibition'

• Kings, Queens, Dungeons and Dragons (Berkhamsted Local History & Museum Society, Hertfordshire): 'From royal love nest to stone-hearted prison, Berkhamsted Castle was a central location for kings, queens, their lovers and hangers on. Take a stroll through royal routes to and from the castle.'

Special mentions

• Wharf Wide Web (Heatherfield Heritage, online): 'A video series exploring how one small place in England was the nexus to a global network for over 200 years.'

• Bee-Roads (Cathedral of St John The Baptist, Norfolk): 'Learn about the beehives at the Cathedral, and follow the 'Bee-Roads' as you discover the numerous saints who are connected with bees!'

• Pontefract's Mr Darcy (Pontefract Civic Society, online): 'A video of the life of one time Pontefract resident, Darcy Lever. Was he the inspiration for Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy?'

Delightful descriptions

The first few lines of an entry can make a world of difference. Questions tease us, descriptions entice us, or simply make us laugh! Here are some that had us smiling and made us want to know more:

• Berwick InQUIZition (Berwick HODs, Northumberland): 'You’ve walked the walks, you’ve seen the buildings and exhibitions. Now put your knowledge of Berwick Heritage Open Days to the test! Join historian and quizmaster, Jim Herbert, for the final HODs event for this year—a fun evening for all. As always, it's free to enter and there may be prizes at the end, but remember, the knowledge IS the prize.'
• The Hidden Routes of the Forest (Wilde Earth Journeys, Gloucestershire): 'A sensory adventure that takes you into the heart of nature beyond the obvious bird songs and rustling leaves, discover the intricate cacophony of trees, ferns and flowers as they perform their subtle, yet powerful, symphony.'

Special mentions

• M25 - Friend or Foe (Leatherhead Community Association, Surrey): 'Chris Rea may have sung about “The Road to Hell” but what would life be like without the M25?'
• Roots and Routes of Maids Moreton (Maids Moreton Conservation Group, Buckinghamshire): 'Discover fascinating facts and hidden secrets about the four main footpaths out of our village.'
• The Smell of Old Gosport (Gosport HODs, Hampshire): 'How did Gosport smell 50, 100, or 150 years ago?'

Routes-Networks-Connections

We were thrilled by the reponse to last year’s theme, which sparked hundreds of really diverse, inspiring ideas and stories. Here are just four favourites that illustrate the different routes people took with it, but do check out the Festival Spotlight posts from the summer which showcased more brilliant ways our organisers explored it.

• Diverse Habitats Tour (Sheffield General Cemetery Trust, South Yorkshire): 'Explore how the many plants and animals that make their home in the cemetery may have arrived. From Japanese knotweed to Oriental plane trees, from Chiffchaffs to Redwings - the site is connected to many different parts of the globe through its ecology.' (© Liam Rimmington)

• Aylesbury Around the World (Aylesbury Town Council, Buckinghamshire): 'A name. What an amazing connection to share with other communities around the world. Working with Aylesbury Youth Town Council, we are building a picture of places called Aylesbury from across the globe. From a crossroads down under, to a northern thriving village - find out more about those places that share our name. See their differences, similarities and the connections that bind us across the world.'
• FLOW - Fearon Hall: Past, present and future (Fearon Hall Community Centre, Leicestershire): 'Place objects, write poems and thoughts onto a 'river of photographs' which depict significant events, people and activities at Fearon Hall, creating a heritage map onto which past, present and future come together.'
• Well Connected (Liskeard Unlocked, Cornwall): 'Dive into the rich history of Liskeard and its interconnected villages, where the flow of water binds us together. Discover the stories of our local wells through vintage imagery, maps, memories and community ties that transcend time. A brand new exhibition and activities for all ages.'

 

Special mentions

Heritage Lincolnshire – Our longest running county wide coordination team really got on board with our theme this year and every time we were looking for highlights we had a wealth to choose from in Lincolnshire. Here are just some of the fab events they coordinated:

• Uncorking the Bottle (neck): 'An exhibition telling the story of how South Lincolnshire was opened up to Norfolk and beyond by taming the North Sea at Cross Keys Wash.'
• Travellers to and from Burgh le Marsh: 'Romans, Vikings, Pilgrims and Missionaries have all lived in, visited or departed from Burgh le Marsh. A pictorial display of the main players plus a daily, brief video and a Heritage Trail to visit.'
• Amazing Glass: 'Discover where the medieval glass has been over the years and how it will become a treasured part of the church again.'

Find out more

• Routes-Networks-Connections highlights - More tasters of events from last year's theme
• Festival Review 2024 - Summary of last year's festival
• Got a story/place to share? - Find out how you can join our festival community
• Architecture - Get some early inspiration for this year's theme
• Read more on the blog - More tales of Routes, Networks and Connections, plus behind the scenes updates from the team
• Newsletter - Sign up for regular updates on the festival and beyond