Exploring Yeovil’s heritage and social history through the voice of local communities.

Story of Yeovil is a community arts and heritage project for Yeovil residents and visitors from further afield. There is a programme of events, talks, educational resources, publications, displays and workshops taking place over 18 months between October 2022 and March 2024.

The project explores Yeovil’s heritage and social history through the voice of local communities. We will gather stories from diverse perspectives through a series of creative activities and share them through three main themes: View of Yeovil, Sound of Yeovil and Taste of Yeovil.

What the project can do?

Amplify the diverse voices in the town’s heritage and history through creativity and storytelling.

Increase a sense of pride for the town by bringing people together to make positive use of the past through learning and sharing.

Work together to support the cultural regeneration of the town.

View of Yeovil

View of Yeovil is the first public programme that took place from May to July 2023, collecting stories from the town community through a photographic lens. The programme gathered contributions from more than 100 people from Open Call and sharing on Social media, an exhibition at Yeovil Art Space, a heritage display at Yeovil Library and an online exhibition at Yeovil's Virtual Museum.

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Sound of Yeovil

Took place from September to November 2023, a public programme telling story of Yeovil through sound and music. Launching on 16 September at the Yeovil SuperSaturday event with live music, experimental sound and participatory events at different locations across the town centre, alongside with exhibition 'STORY OF D.I.Y' celebrating Yeovil's rich music heritage from the 70s, a heritage display exploring Yeovil's life through sound around the town, alongside an online exhibition telling Yeovil's history of entertainment.

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Taste of Yeovil

The final public programme takes place from December 2023 to March 2024 bringing together our community from diverse backgrounds through a shared interest in food culture. Expect a feast of creative activities across the town, from sharing family recipes to making art and food together.

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Who is behind the
Story of Yeovil?

Yeovil Art Space is delivering the project on behalf of the Yeovil Art & Heritage Working Group with a team of professionals and staff members of organisations.

Team members:
Project Director & Curator: Zoe Li (Yeovil Art Space)
Engagement Director & Taste of Yeovil Producer: Natasha Rand (Yeovil Art Space)
Engagement Coordinator: Emma McFarlane (Yeovil Art Space)
Heritage Officer: Joseph Lewis (South Somerset Heritage Collection, Somerset Council)
Heritage Forum & Community Curatorial Group Facilitators: Dr Rose Wallis & Laura Harrison (University West of England)
View of Yeovil Producer: Carolyn Leafley (Yeovil Art Space)
Digital Map & Sound of Yeovil Producer: Stephen Ives (EPS Yeovil)
Assistant Producer: Izzie Jobbins (Yeovil Art Space)
Project Intern: Mini Gafnay & Sophie Robertson (Yeovil Art Space)
Marketing Manager: Jess Egan (Yeovil Art Space)
Marketing Consultant: Gillian Taylor PR
Evaluation Consultant: Laurel Miller Consulting
Branding & Website Design: Harris Lam
Illustration: Rachel Akerman

Steering Group members:
Sally Freemantle (Yeovil Town Council)
Claire Petherick (Somerset Council)
Ian Timms (Yeovil Refresh, Somerset Council)
Bob Osborn (Yeovil's Virtual Museum)
Steve Sowden (Yeovil Free Press)
Rachel Bellamy (South West Heritage Trust)
Steve Poole (University West of England)

Yeovil Art & Heritage Working Group
Yeovil Town Council, Somerset Council (South Somerset Heritage Collection and Yeovil Refresh), Yeovil’s Virtual Museum, Yeovil Press, EPS Yeovil, Yeovil Art Space and South West Heritage Trust (Advisor)

Project Partners
Regional History Centre, University of the West of England, Love Yeovil, Yeovil College, Yeovil Library & more…

Funder
The National Lottery Heritage Fund