A new project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund will see the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury hosting a regular Heritage Café for older people in the local community.

The café aims to provide a welcoming and friendly space for people to gather, socialise, and share their memories of the town's rich industrial past, particularly focusing on the historic Morlands and Baily's sheepskin manufacturers. Visitors can look forward to enjoying tea, coffee, and cake while reminiscing about old times.

This initiative builds on the success of a 2023 local heritage project at the Red Brick Building, part of Historic England's 'Everyday Heritage' scheme.

Last year's project explored the memories and experiences of people who had worked at Morlands and Baily's in the Beckery area of Glastonbury. The positive response from the community led to additional funding from the Heritage Fund, enabling the continuation and expansion of this effort. Thanks to National Lottery players, the new project titled 'Morlands and Baily's: Industry and Community in Glastonbury and Street' will offer more opportunities for locals to connect and share their stories.

Project co-ordinator Alison Horgan said:"We were bowled over by how many people came forward to share their memories of Morlands and Baily's last year. We'd love to hear from others and would also encourage people with a connection to Morlands or Baily's to come along to the Heritage Café at the Red Brick Building to meet old friends and make new ones." She added, "We noticed that in some ways, this remarkable part of Glastonbury's history has been forgotten. We think it is really important to honour the people who made such a huge contribution to our local community and economy and to share their stories far and wide. The Heritage Café will also provide a valuable social focus for anyone who is interested in local heritage."

The Red Brick Building, once part of the Morlands factory, is now a community-owned social enterprise offering a space for music, arts, education, and enterprise. It provides hire spaces, co-working desks, and offices, with profits used for community impact initiatives.

The Heritage Café will be held on the last Friday of each month from 10am to 12.30pm at the Red Brick Building, Morland Road, Glastonbury, BA6 9FT. The café is free and open to all, with each session featuring a different focus, plenty of time for conversation, and refreshments. The first session is scheduled for Friday, 27th September.

More details about the Red Brick Building can be found on their website at www.redbrickbuilding.co.uk.