Heritage Art Trail - Wellingborough Black History
Interactive art trail showcasing Wellingborough's black history through works by three featured artists. Launch event on Saturday with artist meet-and-greet.
The Heritage Art Trail is an interactive community art project launched by Made With Many in partnership with the Black Heritage Walks Network to celebrate and showcase Wellingborough's black history and heritage. The project features collaborative work between three commissioned artists and local residents who shared their stories, memories, and historical insights.
Three artists are featured in this trail:
- Georgia Payne: Portrait work
- Andy Barrett: Audio stories
- Alan Howard: Mural art
Notable subjects include Olympic pioneer Anita Neil, the first Black woman to compete for Great Britain at the Olympic Games (Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972), who was appointed MBE in 2024. The trail incorporates content from the Northamptonshire Black History Association archives and the Victoria Centre.
The audio trail guides visitors through multiple locations: Wellingborough Library, Victoria Centre, United Reform Church, Wellingborough African Caribbean Association, and Wellingborough Museum.
The project aims to provide "a better understanding of the black community and its contributions and history in Wellingborough" while highlighting how the community was welcomed to the town. The launch event offers attendees the opportunity to meet the artists involved and learn directly about their work and inspiration.
Myrle Roach, community engagement coordinator at Made With Many, developed the concept after visiting a similar heritage event in Birmingham. The project followed an open call-out for artists, with applications reviewed by a community panel.