Spotlight on Heritage – Exploring Local Stories with Sean Dudley
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This week’s episode of Spotlight on Heritage brings a thoughtful and grounded conversation between John Coster, Rob Watson, and guest Sean Dudley of Goldfinch Heritage. The discussion traces Sean’s journey from studying English literature to becoming a heritage consultant, exploring how personal interest in local stories and historical places led him into a freelance career blending marketing and heritage research.
Sean shares candid reflections on the practical realities of working in the heritage sector—particularly the balancing act between paid client work and self-initiated, passion-driven projects. Listeners get a sense of what it means to forge a heritage career outside traditional institutions, with Sean discussing the gradual transition he’s made from being primarily a marketing freelancer to working increasingly on heritage-based commissions.
The episode touches on several ongoing and recent projects, including a collaborative initiative with Soft Touch Arts in Leicester’s New Parks estate. Here, Sean has been helping young people explore the post-war history of the area by combining oral history, site visits, and artistic responses to local landmarks. It’s a reminder that heritage isn’t only about the distant past—it’s often about how people today relate to where they live, and how their stories can help shape a more inclusive and reflective understanding of place.
Sean also talks about his involvement in the Reebok in Bolton documentary, which looks at how a global brand grew from a small local company, and how these stories are still rooted in the people and industrial culture of towns like Bolton. His reflections reveal a clear sense of purpose in seeking out overlooked or underrepresented narratives—whether about local sports, Irish migration to Leicester, or the significance of Leicester’s historic churches.
For those interested in the intersections of heritage, local identity, and storytelling, this conversation is rich in insight. Sean speaks openly about the challenges of accessing funding as a freelancer, the need to build long-term relationships in order to secure project work, and the importance of being present in people’s minds even when not in the room.
The value of listening to this episode lies in its honest tone and grounded insight. It’s a conversation that doesn’t just describe heritage work in abstract terms—it brings it to life through lived experience. From co-created projects with young people to reflections on family migration and local architecture, Sean reminds us that heritage is something we build as much as we remember.
Listeners will find encouragement in Sean’s story if they’re navigating their own path into cultural or place-based work. It also offers inspiration for anyone curious about how local histories are uncovered, how they shape identity, and how they can be shared meaningfully in the present. Tune in for an accessible and engaging discussion that keeps one foot in the archives and the other firmly on the streets of Leicester.
