March Round-Up: New Hubs and Strengthening Regional Support
March has been another positive month for Local History Hub, with continued growth across the network and further development of our regional advisory team. New hubs in Doncaster and South Wiltshire, alongside a new Regional Heritage Advisor for the East of England, reflect the steady expansion of our teacher-led, grassroots approach.
Welcoming Hannah Salisbury: Regional Heritage Advisor for the East of England
We were pleased to welcome Hannah Salisbury as our new Regional Heritage Advisor for the East of England.
Hannah brings a strong combination of archival expertise, community engagement experience, and a clear commitment to making history accessible and meaningful. Her work focuses on uncovering the stories of real people and places, helping audiences connect with the past in ways that feel relevant and grounded in local experience.
As Regional Heritage Advisor, Hannah will support connections between schools, archives, museums, and community organisations across the region, while helping identify opportunities for new hubs to develop. Her insight will also contribute to Local History Hub’s growing national advisory network, ensuring that regional knowledge continues to shape our work.
A New Local History Hub for Doncaster
This month saw the launch of Local History Hub Doncaster. The hub brings together schools, heritage organisations, and community partners to explore the borough’s industrial and community heritage, from mining and railways to migration and everyday life.
The Doncaster Hub is led by Meg Barclay, Learning and Community Development Manager at Heritage Doncaster. Meg brings over a decade of experience in museums and heritage learning, with a strong focus on using artefacts and storytelling to bring history to life. Her work will support teachers and pupils to connect learning with local stories, places, and collections.
A New Local History Hub for South Wiltshire
We also launched Local History Hub South Wiltshire, supporting schools and communities to explore the area’s rich and varied past, from prehistoric landscapes to rural life and local communities.
The hub is supported by Abigail, a primary teacher and History Subject Lead with experience across a range of school settings. Her background in classroom practice, alongside her interest in local history, will help ensure that the hub develops in a way that is practical, inclusive, and closely aligned with school needs.
Looking Ahead
As we move towards Local History Day 2026 on Wednesday 22nd April, preparations are continuing across the network. Schools are beginning to plan how they will take part, with a focus on keeping activities manageable while celebrating local stories in meaningful ways.
March has continued to show how Local History Hub is growing steadily through collaboration, with teachers, heritage professionals, and communities working together to strengthen local history in schools.
Thank you to everyone contributing to this work across the country.
