A special event will be held at Goodshaw Chapel next week to celebrate a new poetry anthology which explores the hidden histories of English Heritage sites
Untold Stories: Out Loud will be the first opportunity to hear these poems performed live.
They were inspired by sites across the country – from Stott Bobbin Mill to Tintangel, and Deal Castle to Goodshaw Chapel.
The event – taking place near Rawtenstall – will feature readings of commissioned works by Jacob Sam-La Rose (English Heritage Poetry Fellow 2022), Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa and Malika Booker.
They’ll be joined by emerging poets from English Heritage’s Untold Stories workshops, performing these poems in public for the first time.
The readings will be followed by a panel discussion – with the poets looking at the role poetry can play at heritage properties.
Kevin Booth, senior curator at English Heritage, said: “Goodshaw Chapel offers a perfect auditorium for the poetry event.
“Its pulpit and box pews [are] witness to 200 years of sermon, discussion and celebration – the non-conformist tradition entirely familiar to ideas of forgotten, marginalised and untold histories.
“Untold Stories brought together established and emerging poets to reflect on the history, fabric and atmosphere of our sites, using their creativity to explore what lies beneath the surface of history’s prevailing narratives – stories that have gone untold or people who have been forgotten.”
Goodshaw Chapel was built in 1760 and it united local Baptist and Methodist non-conformist traditions, serving a rapidly growing local population linked to the expansion of the textile industry.
A new chapel, built in 1864, led to fewer services being held at Goodshaw, and the building eventually closed for worship in the mid-20th century.
It was taken into the care of the state in 1975 and today it’s one of more than 400 historic sites cared for by English Heritage.
The charity looks after world famous prehistoric sites, grand medieval castles, Roman forts and even Cold War bunkers to bring the story of England to life for over 10 million visitors each year.
Tickets to the poetry event at Goodshaw Chapel are free of charge, but need to be pre-booked.
Book online by searching for English Heritage Goodshaw Chapel.
It takes place on 7th October, when the chapel will be open from 6pm for visitors to enjoy the atmosphere before the event starts at 6.30pm.
Untold Stories: Out Loud
Friday 7th October (6.30 – 8pm)
Goodshaw Avenue
Crawshawbooth
Rawtenstall
Lancashire
BB4 8QB
