Massive programme on offer for city’s first-ever History Festival

The programme for Plymouth’s first ever History Festival has been officially unveiled and includes a massive selection of more than 80 different events.

The festival will take place from Wednesday 1 to Thursday 31 May and aims to highlight Plymouth's unique history and heritage.

The festival is being coordinated by Plymouth City Council’s arts and heritage service, which includes the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Smeaton’s Tower and Mount Edgcumbe.

A number of other Council departments as well as nearly 30 different local organisations and heritage providers are also contributing to the programme which includes exhibitions and displays, film, music and performance, family activities, talks, presentations, walks and guided tours, plus a host of special events such as Local Studies Day, Family History Day, Archives from the Attic, the opening ceremony for Devonport Column and Museums at Night.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the level of interest and enthusiasm that everyone has shown so far," said Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith. "Our original aim was to bring together a number of historical events that happen in the city under one banner in order to provide people with as many opportunities as possible to take pride in and celebrate their local heritage.

“The programme is huge, with events on offer for all different ages and interests. It also features a wide variety of locations from Crownhill, North Prospect, Stonehouse and Devonport to the Hoe, the Barbican, the city centre, Plympton and Plymstock. All the event providers seem to have really embraced the festival and I’m sure local residents and visitors will too.”

For full details of the History Festival programme visit http://www.plymhistoryfest.wordpress.com/. New events will be added to the site and an official events guide will be available from the Museum, the Barbican Tourist Information Centre and the city’s library network after Easter. You can also stay up-to-date with developments by signing up to www.facebook.com/plymhistoryfest and www.twitter.com/plymhistoryfest.