Heritage champion

Our historic environment is a source of national and local pride. It provides a sense of identity and belonging, as well as contributing to our overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Harnessed successfully, it can support an area’s educational, cultural and economic wellbeing.

Heritage champions play an influential role in supporting the protection and promotion of local heritage.

Their role is meant to:

• inspire – generate enthusiasm and awareness for the importance of the historic environment
• advocate – promote opportunities that draw attention to the historic environment
• influence – using their position within the local authority for the benefit of the historic environment
• communicate – within the council, Historic England, and other heritage organisations

 They also help encourage the public to:

• become more involved with resources such as Know Your Place
• help members find ways to showcase their local heritage.

A heritage champion is normally a local councillor who has been nominated by their authority to promote all aspects of the historic environment in their area. It is up to the local authority to decide how to nominate their heritage champion.

The role provides a vital asset to the promotion of North Somerset’s heritage. They help to inspire the public to become more involved with resources such as Know Your Place and allow members of the public to showcase their local heritage.

The champion is a valued advocate within the Local Authority, both to fellow councillors and to officers, and has the power to inspire change though projects such as the Heritage Action Zone.

Our current Heritage and Regeneration Champion is Cllr John Crockford-Hawley.

More information about heritage champions can be found on the Historic England website.