Getting ready to bring the past to life at Headland Heritage Festival

People can take a step back in time and delve into their family history as Hartlepool's Headland celebrates its local heritage.
Mark Naylor of the Durham Pals re-enactment group at a previous year's festival.Mark Naylor of the Durham Pals re-enactment group at a previous year's festival.
Mark Naylor of the Durham Pals re-enactment group at a previous year's festival.

The 11th annual Headland Heritage Festival takes place on Saturday and organisers have laid on a lively mix of music and dancing, war re-enactments, children’s entertainment and numerous history group exhibitors.

Kevin Kelly, chairman of Hartlepool Headland Local History Group, said: “It has grown year on year. We have tried to go for a diversity of things this year and hopefully it will be another successful event.

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“We try to put on a variety of things to attract different people and all ages.

“Hopefully if we get the weather, we will have even more people than last year.”

The festival is split between history-related stands inside the Borough Hall and live entertainment in the Croft Gardens and Town Square outside.

Look out for World War Two re-enactment group the Hartlepool Youth Initiative, who will be in period uniform.

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Live music and dance taking place in the Town Square will include The Layton Family, the Trimdon Concert Brass Band, and singer Becca Johnston.

Hartlepool’s ‘bubble man’ Richard Shaw will entertain with his uplifting display.

Inside, people can chat to representatives from a host of local groups with a strong history theme.

Beamish Museum will have a stand and numerous groups will help people to research their family tree including Hartlepool Museum Service and Heugh Gun Battery Museum.

The festival is on from 10am to 4pm and is all free.