“It was an exciting new opportunity to engage with the site, reconnect with the past and meeting new people”
Old House New House
The 1620s Manor House and Garden welcomed Creative Practitioner in Residence, Andrew McWilliam to the site this Autumn to deliver an initiative series of workshops to capture known and new visitor’s stories, thoughts and memories about the house and surrounding gardens.
The project, themed around building and belonging was developed in line with the 2025 Hello Heritage Festival’s architectural theme, along with the aim to bring new residents to the site. The population within the surrounding area has increased rapidly in recent years and risen by 48% from the 2011 and 2021 census. Old House New House seeks to engage not only existing visitors who have a tale to tell, but to capture and share new visitor’s experiences and stories.
90 people took part in 5 Sound Factory workshops in September and October 2025 and came back together to celebrate the projects launch. Despite the dreary weather the launch welcomed many of the participants back to meet one another and experience the new sound bite trail they co-curated. Everyone had a great time looking for their stories located around the site. The project helped make new and returning visitors feel a part of the historic site and we look forward sharing their stories in more ways as the project continues.
