Two-year countywide programme

From the Potteries of South Derbyshire (including Sharpe’s Pottery, Bretby Art Pottery and T.G. Green & Co Ltd) to Textile Mills along the Derwent Valley (including Masson Mills, Belper North Mill and John Smedley Knitwear), to Iron & Brickworks (Stanton Ironworks and Butterley Bricks) powered by the coalfields of North Derbyshire, these making and cultural practices are central to Derbyshire’s industrial and cultural heritage.

The Industrial Revolution left an indelible mark on Derbyshire, where the county became a hub of innovation. Our primary focus will be Derbyshire’s industrial heritage of making and we'll explore and celebrate four key industries:

1. Textiles/Knitting

2. Ceramics

3. Mining

4. Quarrying

Many of our most treasured artefacts were produced by skilled craftsmen and women, who carried in their head, hands and hearts, skills and techniques that have been passed down through generations.

The programme includes:

Short films

Using collections and artefacts along with visitor, volunteer and practitioner recollections to tell the stories of Derbyshire’s industrial heritage of makers, their materials and skills. Six short films will be commissioned with heritage and industry partners to research, capture and share their story on site or via digital channels.

Mobile outreach

The Makory will tour to communities with a small touring exhibition and hands-on activities exploring the people and skills of Derbyshire's industrial heritage. Communities will be invited to bring examples to the Makory which reflect their own making and cultural traditions, either from home, community or workplace.

Strengthening the local cultural ecosystem

Heritage grants are available to Derbyshire-based heritage businesses, museums and community groups, to fund engagement activities, which will:

- engage local communities in making-focussed heritage activities

- tell the stories of Derbyshire's industrial heritage of making

- raise awareness in heritage craft skills and offer opportunities to engage

- celebrate and continue to upskill the heritage craft and construction skills of staff and volunteers

- contribute to The National Lottery Heritage Fund investment principles

Creative and Community grants aims to:

1. Increase enjoyment, appreciation, and engagement in all types of making.

2. Increase skills in making.

3. Encourage more sustainable approaches to making.

Sector support will cover:

- Peer to peer mentoring

- Volunteer and Trustee development

- Heritage Crafts Bursary

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.