A PROGRAMME of cultural events has been launched in Selby in a bid to boost interest in the historic town centre.

Selby Stories aims to get locals and visitors to engage with the town centre in new ways.

An oral history project has begun collecting memories from people about the area’s rich history – including the market, shipyards, flour mill and memorable people from the town.

The stories will be used to inspire the artists who will be creating the Selby Stories programme and will also be archived at the North Yorkshire County Council record office as a valuable resource for researchers.

Selby Abbey will also be home to a new artist in residence and there will be singing and songwriting, projections, creative art, performance and music in some familiar and unexpected places across the town.

It comes after a campaign was launched over summer to attract visitors, capitalise on the demand for staycations and boost the area’s growing tourism industry.

Selby is one of more than 60 high streets in the country to receive a share of funding from Historic England, which aims to give the areas a new lease of life.

Selby District Council is also contributing funds.

The work builds on the Selby 950 programme in 2019, when the town celebrated 950 years since the Abbey was founded.

Grace Chapman, community engagement coordinator at Selby Abbey, commented: “Selby has such a rich and varied cultural history and we are delighted that the town was successful in receiving funding to gather stories and use them to inspire this exciting programme of events. We hope people of all ages will get involved through sharing their stories and coming along to join the activities. 

Jane Jackson, from Historic England, said: “The project will give local people of all ages the opportunity to both celebrate Selby’s history and contribute their own stories about the town.”    

Selby District Council’s lead executive member for health and culture, Tim Grogan, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Selby, building on what we did for the Selby 950 celebrations. 

“Selby Stories will showcase the history and culture of Selby and provide exciting new activities and events, encouraging residents and visitors to the town. I encourage all residents and visitors to get involved and share their inspiring stories.”