Hollybush and Farsley Rehoboth Shortlisted for History Heroes Award West Leeds 2026

Key Points

• National Nomination: Two prominent West Leeds historic landmarks—the Hollybush Conservation Centre in Kirkstall and the Farsley Rehoboth Burial Ground—have been shortlisted for the newly established ‘Everyday History Heroes’ award.
• Prestigious Backing: The public award scheme was officially launched by renowned historian and broadcaster David Olusoga OBE in partnership with Heritage Open Days and family history record website Findmypast.
• Focus on Unsung Figures: The competition celebrates cultural and historic sites across England that champion the unsung, grassroots histories of ordinary people—including miners, nurses, teachers, soldiers, and local changemakers who built modern Britain.
• Competitive Selection: Following a nationwide call for bids from historical organisations last month, a panel of experts selected 24 shortlisted sites across England, including three in Yorkshire (Hollybush, Farsley Rehoboth, and Otley Courthouse).
• Public Voting & Prizes: Public voting is open until August 31, with one overall national winner and seven regional winners scheduled for announcement on September 10. Winning teams will receive a monetary donation—including a £1,000 top prize—to support ongoing local community initiatives.
• Free Public Access: All shortlisted sites will host free events and open their doors to the public during the annual Heritage Open Days festival, taking place from September 11 to September 20.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) August 4, 2026 – Two beloved heritage landmarks in West Leeds have officially secured places on the national shortlist for the inaugural ‘Everyday History Heroes’ award, a competition launched to honour hidden historical gems that highlight the lives of ordinary citizens who helped shape modern Britain. The Hollybush Conservation Centre, situated in Kirkstall, alongside the 250-year-old Farsley Rehoboth Burial Ground, were selected by an expert judging panel following a nationwide call for entries across England’s historical organisations. The nationwide public campaign, spearheaded by historian and broadcaster David Olusoga OBE, is staged through a partnership between Heritage Open Days and the genealogy platform Findmypast. Members of the public are now being invited to vote for their favourite sites ahead of the deadline later this month, with winning locations set to receive financial support for their grassroots community projects.

A total of 24 sites and teams across England have made the final shortlist, representing a diverse cross-section of regional social history. Among the nominees, three sites hail from Yorkshire: Leeds‘ Hollybush Conservation Centre, the Farsley Rehoboth Burial Ground, and the historic Otley Courthouse complex. The initiative places the spotlight on community-led heritage, celebrating the stories of workers, soldiers, educators, and local pioneers whose contributions have historically gone unrecorded in traditional text books.

What Is the ‘Everyday History Heroes’ Award?

The ‘Everyday History Heroes’ initiative was conceived as a national platform to elevate grassroots heritage sites that tell the stories of everyday people.

Rather than focusing exclusively on grand estates or royal monuments, the award highlights sites that preserve the memory of working-class communities, industrial labourers, and everyday social figures.

As detailed in public announcements released by Heritage Open Days and Findmypast, the award ties into the core theme of this year’s Heritage Open Days festival, titled Everyday Histories. As reported by Claire Lomax, News Editor of the Telegraph & Argus, historian David Olusoga OBE stated during the project launch:

“We want to celebrate the amazingly diverse heritage and cultural sites that help us connect with people of the past, and understand how families and communities like our own lived, worked, and made their mark. I encourage everyone to explore the shortlist, discover a hidden gem near you, and cast your vote.”

The initiative emphasizes how localized research and community engagement can bring historical context back to life. By opening the process to a nationwide public vote, organizers hope to encourage local communities to take pride in their local landmarks.

Why Were Hollybush and Farsley Rehoboth Shortlisted?

Both West Leeds venues earned their nominations due to their deep-rooted community heritage and successful volunteer-led preservation projects.

Located in Kirkstall, the Hollybush Conservation Centre stands on the grounds of a pioneering Victorian rhubarb farm. Today, the site is managed by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), an organization that utilizes environmental conservation and local heritage to reconnect residents with nature and outdoor craft.

As reported by John Baron of the West Leeds Dispatch, Hazel Smoczynska, Community Hub Support Officer at TCV Hollybush, explained the site’s ongoing commitment to local history:

“Today, the site—managed by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)—celebrates this heritage by teaching traditional conservation skills and natural crafts, coordinating community history projects like ‘Hollybush Histories’ and ‘Rhubarb Roots’, and running family-friendly green events.”

In addition to environmental conservation, Hollybush engages in archival historical research. For the upcoming 2026 Heritage Open Days, the centre is set to showcase its Family Fortunes project, which explores the dramatic Victorian-era history of the local Whitwell family.

Utilizing Findmypast’s digital newspaper archives, volunteers have pieced together historical local scandals, rivalries, and character profiles to illuminate 19th-century life in West Leeds.

How Did Volunteers Rescue Farsley Rehoboth Burial Ground?

Situated off Coal Hill Lane, the 250-year-old Farsley Rehoboth Burial Ground represents an extraordinary tale of community reclamation. After suffering decades of neglect and overgrowth, the historic cemetery was saved through dedicated local volunteer efforts.

It has since been transformed into a living monument dedicated to the generations of residents buried there.

Volunteers at Farsley Rehoboth have undertaken extensive archival work, researching thousands of individual graves and cross-referencing military, census, and family records.

As reported by the Telegraph & Argus, volunteer teams have uncovered remarkable personal narratives spanning centuries, helping to reconnect families around the world with forgotten ancestors who contributed to the area’s textile and industrial legacy. During the upcoming September heritage festival, visitors will be able to access these family history records directly on site.

What Other Yorkshire Landmarks Are Named on the Shortlist?

Alongside the two West Leeds entries, a third venue in West Yorkshire achieved a spot on the 24-site national shortlist: Otley Courthouse.

Formerly serving as a 19th-century court building, police station, and jail complex, Otley Courthouse has been restored as a bustling community arts and resource facility. Volunteers at the venue have spent years examining 170 years of local law enforcement history, uncovering the biographies of police officers, minor offenders, cleaners, and court officials who passed through the doors.

As reported by Claire Lomax of the Telegraph & Argus, Hazel Costello, representing Otley Courthouse, commented on the national recognition:

“Thanks to the work of the volunteer Heritage Group, Otley Courthouse is a place full of stories of people from a wide area of West and North Yorkshire who have been involved with this historic building in a variety of ways. Being shortlisted is a fantastic opportunity to share these fascinating stories more widely, bringing the building to life and celebrating the history of this lively market town.”

How Does Archival Technology Support Local History Projects?

A crucial factor behind the shortlisted projects is the integration of digital historical archives with physical site preservation. The collaboration between Heritage Open Days and Findmypast has allowed local volunteer groups to utilize digital census data, military registers, and regional press archives to contextualize physical structures.

As reported by media sources covering the national launch, Helen Kaye, Director of Brand and Communications at Findmypast, highlighted the importance of digital research in uncovering untold community narratives:

“The shortlisters showcase the uniqueness and diversity of the places and people working tirelessly to tell the story of their communities – with everything from a restored rhubarb farm to an asylum cemetery. With help from our extensive digital archives, more of the nation’s everyday histories come to light every day. We’re delighted to partner with Heritage Open Days to celebrate these ‘Everyday History Heroes’, and help more people discover the hidden histories on their doorstep.”

How Can the Public Vote and What Happens Next?

The selection process for the ‘Everyday History Heroes’ award now relies entirely on public participation.

• Voting Period: Members of the public can cast their votes online via the official Findmypast competition portal. Voting opened on August 4, 2026, and will officially close on August 31, 2026.
• Announcement of Winners: The national winner, alongside seven regional winners, will be formally announced on September 10, 2026.
• Funding Grants: Winning sites will receive financial donations to support their community initiatives, including a top prize of £1,000 for the team named England’s overall Everyday History Heroes.
• Heritage Open Days Festival: Shortly after the winners are announced, all 24 shortlisted sites will participate in the national Heritage Open Days festival from September 11 to September 20, 2026. During this ten-day event, every shortlisted venue will open its doors to the public free of charge, offering special guided tours, historical displays, and interactive family activities.