Published: Wednesday, 3rd Apr 2019

Bolton is taking part in a new initiative to encourage young people to engage with local heritage.

Towns across the North West will be holding a “Hope Happening”, an initiative backed by the Heritage Fund.

Bolton’s project will bring young people together to create a pop-up museum and a community parade, to take centre stage in Victoria Square on Saturday, April 13 from 1pm to 2pm.

The event will be organised by Curious Minds, an arts and education organisation, and Bolton Council’s Library and Museum services.

Young people will work with youth artist collective Frog + Bone to create the project which will be delivered in partnership with Youth Focus North West and Museum Development North West.

Saul Argent, of Curious Minds, said: “The importance of listening to young people and ensuring that their voices are not only heard but embedded in the cultural activities of our communities has never been more relevant.

“The Hope Happenings bring together all these themes, creating a platform for successful and inspirational young artists, young people, heritage organisations and communities to work with recycled materials and create events that will provide a celebration of young people’s ideas and vision for the future based on their understanding of the past.

“The idea of Hope Happenings is to literally bring their ideas to the streets of their local communities in partnership with local museums.”

A Bolton Council spokesman added: “Our Library and Museum Service has a rich history of engaging young people with our fantastic collections.

“This project will enable young people to directly influence our services and play an important part in working with us to shape our future plans.

“We would encourage everyone to come along to the Hope Happening.”

The happenings are part of Hope Streets, a five-year project to help young people influence the future development of the heritage sector in their local community.