Spotlight on Heritage – Reflecting on Stories, Class, and Culture
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What happens when we pause long enough to listen to what people remember, not just about the past, but about why it matters? In this latest episode of Spotlight on Heritage, we take time to reflect on the last twelve weeks of conversations that have shaped the series so far. From Roman re-enactments in Jubilee Square to quiet memories of growing up in the East End, the threads that have emerged aren’t neatly tied to fixed definitions of heritage. They’re lived, remembered, and shared.
As producers and hosts, we set out with a simple intention—to create a space for conversations that felt relaxed, grounded, and responsive. Has that approach helped us hear more than just job roles or organisational messaging? Has it opened up different ways of thinking about heritage, where stories and experiences reveal more than formal exhibitions ever could?
Throughout the series, we’ve asked what heritage means to different people in Leicester. Not in abstract terms, but in relation to where they live, who they’re connected to, and how they make sense of where they’ve come from. Is heritage more accessible when it’s approached as people’s stories, shaped by their class background, culture, and sense of place? What happens when we focus less on the ‘sector’ and more on the conversations that happen between neighbours, colleagues, and friends over a pot of tea or a shared meal?
We also talked about memory in the everyday—cooking pots and family photos, cassette tapes and jazz records. Can these everyday artefacts offer more insight into a community’s history than official plaques and curated timelines? When people bring forward their own understanding of where they belong and how they got there, what kind of archive are we building?
In this episode, we also reflected on the shifting language of cultural work. Why do we find ourselves returning to ideas like ‘gateways’ and ‘pathways’? What do these words really mean to someone trying to tell a local story that doesn’t quite fit into a pre-planned theme or funding strand?
And then there’s the role of class—how it affects not only our access to cultural spaces but how we interpret and value what counts as heritage. When someone’s first memory of feeling “posh” is tied to a prawn cocktail in a steakhouse, what does that tell us about belonging, aspiration, and how class continues to shape cultural expectations? Can we talk about class without reverting to stereotypes or assumptions?
As we look ahead to the next phase of the series, these questions continue to guide us. We’re not looking to define heritage in fixed terms. Instead, we’re interested in how people make meaning from their own experiences. What can we learn when we resist the urge to package stories into neat narratives? And how can community media play a role in holding space for voices that might otherwise go unheard?
This podcast episode isn’t just a retrospective—it’s an invitation. If you’ve been listening, what has stood out to you? Have the stories resonated? Have they challenged you to think differently about heritage, identity, or the value of everyday wisdom?
We’ll keep the conversation going—and we hope you’ll be part of it.
