A lottery grant of £10,000 will help a Bromyard History group unravel the mystery surrounding a number of historic buildings in the town.
The Bromyard and District Local History Society was chosen to receive the cash grant through funding body Awards for All, to fund a historical survey of the buildings in the old part of the town.
The group already has a wealth of knowledge about the history of the town and the surrounding area although a lack of available information means many structures are shrouded in mystery.
The survey will concentrate it’s efforts on around 50 buildings in the town and will attempt to chart the the development of Bromyard between the 15th and 17th centuries.
Historical structures along Broad Street, High Street and the Market Square will undergo a 12-month long investigation aimed at providing a better understanding of Bromyard’s historical development which will, in turn, aid others in promoting and marketing the area as an attraction.
The society is enlisting the services of local expert Duncan James, who will undertake the task of recording the houses and will use his specialist knowledge in the field of historic timber-framed buildings.
He has carried out a number of similar projects in Herefordshire, including a study of the history of Ledbury’s Market House.
Project organiser Jennifer Weale described how the project will took shape.
“We have been thinking about it for a while,” she said. “A lot of the houses have got new fronts on them and the early parts of the house are hidden. We often get asked about the buildings and how old they are and we don’t know.”
Organisers say they are keen to avoid an “invasion” of properties and will contact business owners and residents about the study on a one-to-one basis.
Their findings will be showcased in the form of a public lecture and presentation and an exhibition at the History Society’s centre on Sherford Street.
A ‘launch’ meeting about the project is being held next month to introduce the scheme to the public.
It will take place at the Conquest Theatre on Wednesday, June 11, at 7.30pm.
