Six Isle of Wight organisations have secured funding from The National Heritage Lottery Fund, to deliver projects that shine a light on the rich history of the Island.
Ranging from capturing the lives of the people who worked in the Ronson Lighter factory in Newport to a new podcast series and publication which will explore the lives of notable Island women.
The ambition of all these projects is to strengthen and preserve stories from the Isle of Wight, showcasing forgotten and hidden histories.
“You can tell the health of a community by the stories it tells itself”
Gavin Stride, Director of Creative Island said,
“Establishing Past Futures, has reminded us of that old truth that you can tell the health of a community by the stories it tells itself. That too often we allow others to tell our histories.
“It felt important, as the Cultural Development Organisation for the Island, to connect and work with the widest possible set of partners to tell a fuller story of all that the Island is.
“I hope that we have managed that.”
“Heritage can have a powerful role in helping communities flourish”
Jacqui Scott, CEO of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) explains,
“We are thrilled to award the first Past Futures grants, and to partner with Creative Island in bringing this vision to life. This programme is about more than preserving the past – it’s about giving communities the chance to tell their own stories in their own voices.
“We hope these funded projects will help broaden engagement with the Island’s heritage, while also building confidence, skills, and pride within the communities themselves.
“At HIWCF, we believe that heritage can have a powerful role in helping communities flourish, and we look forward to seeing how each grant recipient brings a fresh, local perspective to the rich tapestry of Isle of Wight history.”
Round Two now open
A second round of investments are planned, and will open on Monday November 3rd 2025.
Kelly Wetherick, will continue the role of Programme Lead, and will lead in outreach, capacity building, and enable the successful delivery of the creation of compelling projects.
Find out more information on how to apply for the second round of Past Futures.
Round One grantees
The Round One grantees are are as follows:
- Bembridge Fort Trust: To research, capture and digitally bring to life the stories of people who lived and worked in the Fort over its 150 year lifetime.
- Discover More: Awarded funds to enable the recording, transcription and interpretation of oral history stories relating to the Ronson Lighter Factory in Newport.
- The Earth Museum: Will pair new photography and soundscapes together with heritage from local collections, to produce an immersive exhibition experience of rural life in the West Wight.
- Lake Parish Council: Hidden sporting achievements will be brought to public audiences by Lake Parish Council, who will train local school children to research sport in The Bay area and install new interpretation boards at key locations.
- Stitch Department: To deliver heritage craft workshops, using peoples memories of lost shops and shopkeepers in Newport and Ryde where installations created by participants will be exhibited.
- Lemon Jelly Press: A new podcast series and a publication will explore the lives of notable Island women, capturing new elements of people known and those whose histories have been hidden in Isle of Wight heritage narratives.
