Call for contributions to green spaces archive

Local Landscapes & Hidden Histories, a three-year community-driven heritage project, is calling on residents of Lincoln to help preserve the city’s green space heritage through its new online legacy archive. 

The project - backed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and City of Lincoln Council – aims to create an archive is designed to celebrate the rich history of seven of Lincoln’s green spaces, each with its own unique landscape character and heritage.

To create the archive for Lincoln Arboretum, South Common and Cow Paddle, Boultham Park, Hartsholme Park, Birchwood Nature Park, and West Common, the Local Landscapes & Hidden Histories (LLHH) team invites contributions from the community, including old photographs, journal entries, postcards, letters, maps, documents, personal stories, and memories - anything that acts as a clue to the past and is related to one of the seven green spaces encompassed in the project.

Cllr Bob Bushell at City of Lincoln Council said: “We’re seeing parts of Lincoln’s heritage slowly fade with time with fewer people having knowledge about the history our parks and open spaces represent.

“The goal of this project is to create an accessible, user-friendly archive that belongs to everyone, ensuring our city’s history remains vibrant and alive for years to come.”

Every piece, no matter how small, serves as a vital clue to uncovering the past and preserving it for future generations.  

In addition to collecting materials, the project is actively seeking volunteers to support the initiative by assessing, categorising, and uploading information to the archive. 

Volunteers will receive comprehensive training, developed in collaboration with the University of Lincoln’s heritage team, making this an excellent opportunity to learn new skills while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Contributors can share their memories and items in person at the Archive Repository Days, held monthly at The Grandstand Community Centre with the first session on Monday, January 27 from 10.30am to 1.30pm. 

Future repository mornings will take place at The Grandstand Community Centre between the same hours on:

• 24 February 
• 24 March 
• 14 April 
• 12 May 
• 9 June 
• 30 July 

If you can’t attend, you can get in touch by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss alternative ways to contribute.


For more information visit the LLHH facebook page here.