December Round-Up: A Quieter Month, Two New Beginnings

December has been a quieter month for Local History Hub, offering space for reflection after a busy autumn of growth. While much of our focus has been on consolidating relationships, supporting new Hub Leads, and planning ahead, we were pleased to close the year with the launch of two new Local History Hubs. Each reflects the same core principle that sits at the heart of our work: local history is strongest when it is shaped collaboratively by schools, heritage partners, and communities.

Warrington

At the beginning of December, we announced the launch of a new Local History Hub for Warrington, supported by Culture Warrington. The hub brings together schools, museums, archives, and community groups to explore Warrington’s industrial, civic, and cultural heritage, from transport and industry to local traditions and everyday stories.

The Warrington Hub is led by Amanda Moore, a heritage professional with more than 30 years’ experience across museums, archaeology, education, and public engagement. Manda’s background and long-standing commitment to learning make her well placed to support teachers and pupils in connecting curriculum learning with local places, collections, and stories.

As with all Local History Hubs, this work will develop gradually. The focus is on building relationships, listening to what schools need, and creating opportunities for meaningful, curriculum-linked local history that reflects Warrington’s character and communities.

North Tyneside

Later in the month, we launched a new Local History Hub for North Tyneside, supported by North East Museums. The hub will explore the area’s coastal, industrial, and community heritage, including maritime history, shipbuilding, and the stories of the people who have shaped the borough over time.

The North Tyneside Hub is led by Lucy, an experienced primary History Coordinator with nearly fourteen years in the role. Lucy brings strong local knowledge, long-standing relationships with heritage sites, and a clear commitment to strengthening the place of local history within the primary curriculum. Her leadership will help ensure that the hub develops in a way that is practical, inclusive, and rooted in classroom reality.

Looking Ahead

While December has been quieter by design, these two launches reflect the steady, long-term approach that underpins Local History Hub. Growth is important, but so is taking the time to support new hubs properly, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that each local network develops at a sustainable pace.

As we move into the new year, our focus will remain on supporting Hub Leads, welcoming new schools and heritage partners, and continuing to build a teacher-led, grassroots network that helps children connect with the histories of the places they live.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support this work, especially those laying foundations quietly behind the scenes.