Hull Maritime has handed out more than £11,000 in grants to support local community groups, organisations and creatives to deliver South Blockhouse themed projects for people across the city in 2024, thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Grants of up to £3,000 were available supporting a wide range of projects drawing links between our maritime past, present and future and offering people a change to engage with the South Blockhouse in creative ways.
This latest round of funding has awarded four grants to:
- Rooted in Hull will be working in partnership with Humber Field Archaeology, Hull Community Theatre and local historian Mike Covell to run a series of workshops and a celebration event exploring the history of the South Blockhouse as well as the wider history, archaeology and heritage of the city.
- Lauren Saunders is a local artist who, taking inspiration from the South Blockhouse’s iconic cloverleaf shape, will facilitate a ‘Clover-Lore’ project in which participants will co-create a range of responses exploring 16th Century lore about clover in the context of the South Blockhouse’s natural, historic and cultural heritage.
- Hull Scrapstore for a series of South Blockhouse, Hull and Humber themed creative arts and crafts workshops over the autumn and winter of 2024. People will have the chance to get hands on, exploring different materials and textures and learn about our maritime history.
- Fiona Caley will be working with photography walking group to explore the history of the South Blockhouse as well as wider maritime themes. They will use a range of creative techniques including photography, image transfer, sound and creative writing.
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “I am delighted to see four artists and community groups awarded this funding to deliver events and activities that will connect us with the South Blockhouse site.
“The history of the South Blockhouse site is still relatively untold, and these grants will help people learn about the history of the monument and its significance.”
Lauren Saunders, one of the recipients of a grant, said: “I’m chuffed to be delivering on yet another Hull Maritime project! The South Blockhouses distinct clover shape is a fantastic starting point for exploring old beliefs, superstitions and folklore about clover and I’m looking forward to seeing what participants do!”
Emma Quarterman from Hull Scrapstore, said: “Everyone at Hull Scrapstore is really looking forward to starting our South Blockhouse themed workshops! A huge thank you to the Maritime team for funding such an exciting project! Let the crafting begin!”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is fantastic to see that four exciting community grants in Hull have been made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
“The South Blockhouse is a significant monument and part of Hull’s deep maritime heritage, and these amazing community projects will provide a creative way to explore and engage people with this hidden history.”
Hull Maritime is funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. It encompasses the redevelopment of five historic sites in Hull city centre: the transformation of the Grade II Hull Maritime Museum and the Dock Office Chambers, the creation of a new visitor attraction at the North End Shipyard and the restoration of two historic vessels, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.
