A HOUSING association has secured £50,000 for a project looking at the evolution of the Longridge and Shaw Heath estates.

Great Places have embarked on a project entitled ‘Creation of a Community’ after receiving a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The project will focus on the heritage story of Longridge and Shaw Heath estates in Knutsford; how they were created, changes since people moved there and the impact of their positioning on the town.

Lucy Beesley, community development co-ordinator at Great Places, said: “The project will explore the original migration in 1950/60 to Longridge and the 1970s to Shaw Heath, the contrast between this rural area and what the urban areas of south, east and central Manchester where people were 'decanted from' was like; how memories of overspill remain, and the way that life in the area has changed since the 1950s.

“The heritage relates to the transition from one area into a new one and memories of integration.

“The heritage will specifically focus on memories of people who moved from Manchester and who still live on the two estates or who did and have moved to other areas.”

Great Places is working in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund, People’s Voice Media and The Welcome.

The project has a wrap-up target date of December 2015 and a project team has already been established.

Simon Grennan has taken the position of project manager, Pat McAndrew has been successful in securing the project officer position, and Julie Martin and Diane Lomax will take on the role of community researchers.

“This project is aimed at getting many volunteers involved and a chance to be trained from People’s Voice Media, using an oral history approach,” said Lucy. “We have a target of 12 volunteers to capture 24 stories.”

An exhibition will be created showcasing residents’ stories and this will be displayed at Knutsford Heritage Centre, as well as other locations across the town.

A website will also be created and 500 DVDs will be produced.

Anyone who has memories of the estate and wishes to contribute to the project should contact Lucy on 079 17527280.