Creative Underground

Exciting things are happening this September for Heritage Open Days 2023, during St Helens Borough of Culture 2023. 

As part of the two-year National Lottery Heritage Funded Creative Underground project coordinated by St Helens Library & Archives service, community grants have been awarded to a wide range of community groups and heritage organisations, to fund projects exploring the creative heritage of the Borough, from music events, dance, and films, to using creative means to share important messages about local heritage.  

Between Friday 8th September and Sunday 17th September these projects will be showcased in a variety of free events and activities for everyone to come along and discover the heritage and creativity of St Helens Borough for themselves.  

Community Grants Heritage Open Day Events: 

for more information, full addresses and booking info click the links on each listing. 

Sahir House: Queer, Here. A showcase of new writing and drag personas developed as part of 'Queer, Here', an exciting new collaborative project encouraging queer visibility, poetry and drag in the public realm launched by Queer Bodies Poetry Collective and EAT ME. At Lucem House Community Cinema. 

• Saturday 9th September 7 - 10pm. 

Friends of St Helens Cemetery: Heritage Walking Tour.  Join us for the launch of our new Heritage Walking Tour at St Helens Crematorium, Rainford Road. Pre booking essential for tours. meeting point for tours Small Chapel

• Sunday 10^th September. Tours at 11am and 1pm.

Northwest Miners Heritage Association: Storytelling event. for ex miners and their families to come and share memories and stories of life as a miner. Drop in, no booking required.

• Sunday 10^th September. 2:30 - 4pm at Bold Miners Neighbourhood Centre.
• Monday 11^th September. 6:30-8:30pm at Clock Face Labour Club
• Tuesday 12^th September. 1-3pm at Chester Lane Library
• Tuesday 12^th September. 6-8pm at Clock Face Miners Recreation Club.

UC Crew: St Helens Hip Hop Heritage: Graffiti and Music. Prepare to be mesmerized by the hidden world of Graffiti Art on your doorstep! Located in the former Heavenly Heels Unit (Near Post Office), Lagrange Arcade, St Helens Town Centre. No booking required. 

• Saturday 16^th September 10am-4pm  
•  Sunday 17^th September 10am - 2pm 

Haydock Band: Publication Launch and performance. Come along to the Launch of the publication 'Life Divine' celebrating the history and achievements of Haydock band, from its launch in 1861 to present day. Assembly Hall, St Helens Town Hall. Pre Booking preferred. 

• Saturday 16^th September. 2pm- 3pm.

Buzz Hub: George Groves Heritage Project. Step into a world where art, history, and innovation converge, and join us in showcasing our film celebrating the St Helens born, Hollywood sound engineer, George Groves. Assembly Hall, St Helens Town Hall. Booking info and link to be added soon 

• Saturday 16^th September. 3-4pm

St Helens Rotary Club: St Helens Heritage Trail Walk A two hour walk tour around St Helens Town Centre, following the Rotary Clubs Heritage Trail. Meeting Point is Church Square, St Helens Town Centre No booking required.

• Saturday 16^th September. 11am- 1pm. 

Check out the other events happening in and around St Helens borough for Heritage Open Days : 

St Helens Archive Service: How to... Use Your local Archives at Garswood Library, 8 September 2pm-4pm.

Cannington Shaw No.7 Bottle Shop Pop Up Shop,have your say on this crucially important piece of industrial heritage, at former Heavenly Heelz, St Helens. 8 & 9 September 10am-4pm

St Helens Parish Church,a beautiful Grade II listed building where visitors will find many items of interest. 8-16th September, various times.

The World of Glass, free entry to the museum galleries and to the glass blowing demonstrations. Saturday 9 September: 10 - 4pm

Holy Cross & St Helen RC Church, St Helens, guided tours of the historical Church and associated links, 9 & 10 September, various times.

Mass at The Chantry, Father Michael from St Thomas of Canterbury church will lead a Mass at the Windleshaw Chantry site. Saturday 9 September 2pm.

Chantry Walk Around, information about the history and stories of some of the people buried at the Windleshaw Chantry site, 10 & 17 September, 11.30am.

How to... Use Microfilms! Become a history detective and lose yourself in stories from the past. Eccleston Library, 11 September 2pm-4pm, Newton-le-Willows Library, 12 September 10am-12pm.

St. Peters Vicarage, a display depicting the involvement of the church in the community over the years. 15, 16, 17 September: 2pm-4pm

Polish Heritage at the Smithy Heritage Centre, discover the valuable contribution Polish soldiers made to the war effort and the years that followed as they resettled in Britain, enriching local life. Taste Polish treats and try traditional crafts. 16 & 17 September 12am-5pm.

CWGC, tours of the final resting places of 100s of Commonwealth casualties of both world wars at St Helens Cemetery, 17 September 11am. Booking essential.

Other local heritage events happening in St Helens:

Sankey Canal Restoration Society: Family Activity Session. Come along and learn all about the history of St Helens Canals, and the importance of being safe around water through fun activities. St Helens Library- Located inside The World of Glass. Drop in session. 

• Saturday 9^th September. 10:30am

Rainford's Past Industries: a display of Rainford's industrial heritage at Rainford Library.

• Saturday 9^th September - Friday 22nd September

St Helens Bookstop: Autumn Heritage Day with raffles, prizes and competitions

• Saturday 9^th September

Re-Charged Music Festival. A celebration of St Helens musical heritage (82-95).

• Saturday 16^th September. 11:30am - 4:30pm at The World of Glass.
• Saturday 16^th September. 7pm - 11pm at The Citadel, St Helens.