South Yorkshire's hidden Bevin Boys history to be uncovered after £129k National Lottery award
Sheffield's forgotten Bevin Boys story to be brought back to life with a National Lottery-funded Yorkshire heritage project, writes Neil Anderson.
Plans to uncover and preserve the hidden history of a former wartime training centre based in the Woodhouse area of Sheffield were officially revealed during a special launch event attended by supporters from across the region.
Bevin Court - which for the past 25 years has operated as a hostel for adults run by St Anne’s Community Services charity - has a hidden history.
During the Second World War, it served as a training camp for the “Bevin Boys” - young men conscripted to work in Britain’s coal mines to support the war effort.
Now a £129,454 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is allowing for the exploration and sharing of the rich heritage of its site in Sheffield, while transforming access to its community spaces.
Despite its historical significance, little of this story has been formally recorded. Without this funding, these important memories and connections to Sheffield’s industrial and wartime past risk being lost forever.
The project will bring this hidden heritage to life through a wide-ranging programme of activity. This includes historical research, oral history collection, interpretation panels, exhibitions and a dedicated publication exploring the story of the site and its former residents.
Alongside this, the project will make considered improvements to the surrounding environment, enhancing accessibility and creating a more welcoming and sustainable setting for both residents and the wider community.
A major focus of the project is community participation. Volunteers, local schools and community groups will be invited to take part in a range of activities, including heritage skills training, site-based projects and creative engagement.
Events such as heritage open days, community discovery days and outdoor learning sessions will help ensure that the site becomes a valued local asset for education, wellbeing and recreation.
The project will also explore the links between green spaces, heritage and mental wellbeing, providing opportunities for participants to develop new skills, build confidence and improve their health. By strengthening partnerships and engaging new audiences, the initiative will help reinforce Bevin’s ongoing role within the community.
David Peers, Manager at St Anne’s, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we can finally uncover and share the remarkable story of Bevin Court while creating a space that benefits both our residents and the wider community. This project will not only preserve an important part of our heritage but also provide real opportunities for people to learn new skills, connect with nature and improve their wellbeing.”
The project will run through to 2028, with a wide programme of activities, events and volunteering opportunities open to the public.