Celebrate Local LGBTQ+ Heritage: Free Community-Centred Workshops

Ever walked down a street and wondered about the stories hidden in its walls? History isn't just about massive castles or famous battles; it's also in the small, personal moments that make up a community's life. This February in Scarborough, an amazing project is bringing some of those hidden stories into the light. Crescent Arts is hosting two completely free, community-centred workshops as part of its ‘Out of the Margins’ programme. The whole idea is to celebrate LGBTQ+ history and heritage through creative storytelling, making sure everyone's experiences have a place to be seen and heard. It's a chance for people of all ages to get hands-on with art and connect with the past, both locally and nationally, in a really fun and meaningful way.

Make your mark with a rainbow plaque

Think about those blue plaques you see on buildings, marking where someone famous once lived or worked. They're a brilliant way to remember history, but what about the stories that don't get a big, official plaque? The 'Make Your Plaque' workshop on Saturday, 7th February, from 11am to 3pm, is all about changing that. This drop-in event is an open invitation for everyone to create their very own personalised rainbow plaque. It's a chance for some brilliant creative expression.

This isn't about grand, sweeping histories, but about personal connection. Maybe it’s a specific place in Scarborough that holds a special memory, a local event that felt important, or a personal local story that deserves to be celebrated. No memory is too small. The workshop provides all the materials and guidance needed, so no artistic experience is necessary. The focus is on the storytelling itself. Participants get to design and create a plaque that represents a piece of LGBTQ+ history that matters to them. The rainbow theme isn't just colourful; it's a powerful symbol of pride, community, and resilience. Once finished, people have a choice: take their plaque home as a personal keepsake or contribute it to a fantastic community display that will pop up around Scarborough. Imagine seeing these personal histories dotted around town, creating a vibrant trail of shared experience and heritage. This creative workshop is a beautiful way to make the invisible, visible.

Weave history together with a community banner

Following the plaque-making, a second workshop builds on this powerful momentum of storytelling. The 'Raise Your Banner' event on Sunday, 22nd February, also running from 11am to 3pm, takes those individual stories and weaves them into a collective masterpiece. This collaborative session invites attendees to contribute to a huge community timeline banner. The goal is to trace centuries of LGBTQ+ history, mixing big national moments with the quiet, personal heritage of the local community right here in Scarborough.

This isn't your average history lesson. Inspired by the town's own queer heritage, participants will get to work with colourful textile art. Think fabrics, threads, and all sorts of materials to add patches, words, and symbols to the growing banner. It’s all about collaborative design and building a shared experience, piece by piece. One person might add a patch representing a significant law change, while another might sew on a symbol from a personal local story. This creative process fosters a deep sense of connection, showing how individual lives are part of a much bigger picture. The final banner won't just be a piece of art; it will be a testament to community resilience and a celebration of a rich and often overlooked heritage. It’s a powerful and creative way for a community to literally stitch its history together, creating something beautiful and educational for everyone. This unique workshop truly is community-centred.

How to get involved

The best part? Both of these brilliant workshops are completely free to attend, thanks to funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. This support ensures that everyone in the community has the chance to participate, connect, and get creative. The events are designed to be welcoming spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore history through hands-on making.

While the sessions are drop-in, booking is encouraged. This just helps the organisers at Crescent Arts get a rough idea of numbers to make sure there are enough materials and space for everyone to have a great time. It’s a fantastic opportunity for creative expression and to feel a real connection to the local area and its history. This is more than just an arts and crafts session; it’s an event that builds community and celebrates stories that matter. For anyone interested, full details and booking links can be found in the event listings from Crescent Arts. Don't miss this chance to be part of a unique storytelling project. Here's a quick summary:

• Make Your Plaque Workshop: Saturday 7 February, 11am–3pm. A drop-in event to create a personal rainbow plaque.

• Raise Your Banner Workshop: Sunday 22 February, 11am–3pm. A collaborative event to contribute textile art to a community timeline banner.

Both events take place at Crescent Arts’ Woodend Creative Space (The Crescent, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2PW) and are free. They represent a wonderful chance to engage with an important part of our shared heritage.