Corby New Town heritage project needs your memories

Corby residents with experiences of living and growing up in the 'New Town' era have been asked to share their memories for a new series of cultural projects.

60 Miles first launched in Northampton - another designated 'New Town' with residents reflecting on their experiences of their hometowns.

People are being asked to write, record and share their stories and take part in Zoom chats about Corby led by playwright Ryan Leder.

A spokesman for 60 Miles said: "In 1950, after 20 years of rapid population growth and Scottish migration, Corby was one of the first places in the UK to be designated a New Town.

"We want to hear your stories about this period of Corby’s rich history and how you feel about your hometown today."

Over the past three years, playwright Ryan Leder has been speaking to residents of Northampton about its New Town designation in 1968. Now, it’s Corby’s turn.

Starting on Monday April 26, Mr Leder will be hosting a drop-in zoom call for people to share their stories of what made Corby the town it is today.

He said: "Come for five minutes, or come with a cup of tea and stay for the full hour. This is an invitation for people to share and hear the stories of Corby’s past by its own residents."

Mr Leder has been tutoring writers in Corby for the past year with The Core at Corby Cube’s Playwright Ensemble, where he was originally introduced to Corby through the theatre’s Young Actors programme in 2012.

Since then, he has become a playwright in his own right, regularly producing work in Northamptonshire as an individual artist and with his theatre company, Theatre In Black.

The 60 Miles team is particularly keen to hear from voices of underrepresented parts of the community to get involved in the arts.

People can also get involved via the 60 Miles website by sharing stories - whether local to Corby, have since moved away, or just passed through - sharing photos and memories of both the past and the present, or by telling your story in person for the East Midlands Oral History Archive.

Project founder Andy Routledge said: “We learnt so much and met many wonderful people whilst exploring the legacy of Northampton’s New Town designation. We’re delighted to be expanding the project to Corby and to explore its unique New Town designation as one of England’s first wave new towns.

"We'd love to hear from people who moved to Corby during the 1950s - 1970s, or were living in the town during this significant development."

An interactive heritage open day event will also take place in September 2021 centred around New Town heritage.

You can sign up to attend the session by clicking here or if you you’d rather share your story in the written from email [email protected].

To find out more about 60 Miles project click here