From teenage musical memories in the Fens to family stories in Littleport - money raised by National Lottery players is helping local people to discover and share their history.

Funding of £72,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has been awarded to two projects that are capturing the diverse stories of their communities.

Over £9,000 of the cash has gone to ‘The Littleport Button Tree: stitching together local history’ project, the Field Theatre Group’s community project which tells the story of Littleport through the histories of its residents.

Through local memory gathering workshops, people will be asked to contribute buttons that have a special significance or family memory associated with them.

These buttons will be incorporated into a textile artwork, creating a personal snapshot of Cambridgeshire history, and their stories will be recorded and edited into an online archive, book and touring exhibition for local schools and museums. The project’s research will also find a permanent home at the Adams Heritage Centre.

Robyn Llewellyn, head of HLF East of England, said: “Heritage is not just about buildings; it’s people’s personal experiences that tell us what life in Cambridgeshire was like throughout the 20th century. These projects will save important memories and engage new audiences in the stories of our past.”