Secret D-Day history to be brought to life as Burton heritage project wins council backing

The hidden wartime history of Burton upon Stather is set to be brought to life through a new walk-through exhibition backed by North Lincolnshire Council.

Burton upon Stather Heritage Group has been awarded funding through the Cultural Futures programme to create a portable information and display unit telling the story of the village’s role in the build-up to D-Day.

The exhibition will explore military training activity in and around the village, including Operation KATE and secret tank testing at the Tank Ramp site.

Using display boards, vintage objects, film clips and interviews, the exhibition will be designed for all ages and will be taken to community events, schools and local groups.

It is one of 14 new arts and heritage projects awarded funding through Cultural Futures, a multi-year programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council to increase cultural activity across the area.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is exactly why Cultural Futures matters.

“Burton upon Stather has an extraordinary story to tell. Its role in the build-up to D-Day, the training activity, the testing, the people and the places involved – this is national history rooted in a North Lincolnshire village.

“These projects help communities uncover, protect and share the stories that make them proud of where they live. They bring history out of the archive and into village halls, schools, community events and public spaces where people can experience it together.”

The Burton upon Stather exhibition is planned to make its first appearance around Armed Forces Day 2026, before being used as a flexible format to share other aspects of the village’s heritage in future.

The wider funding round will also support projects including a new 80-mile walking trail linked to Olaudah Equiano, John Wesley and stories of freedom and reform; a community film festival for North Lincolnshire; blacksmithing taster sessions at Owston Ferry Smithy; a multicultural celebration at The Baths Hall; and creative projects bringing young people, older residents, artists, volunteers and community groups together.

Cllr Elaine Marper, cabinet member for transforming the customer journey, and the council’s Armed Forces champion, said: “The Burton project is a brilliant example of local people taking ownership of their own history and finding new ways to share it.

“It is hands-on, accessible and rooted here. People will be able to walk through the story and understand the part their community played in a much bigger national moment.”

The projects awarded funding are:

Burton upon Stather Heritage Group – The BSHG Information & Display Unit
A portable walk-through exhibition telling the story of Burton upon Stather’s role in the build-up to D-Day, including Operation KATE and secret tank testing at the Tank Ramp site.

Epworth Old Rectory – The Equiano Way
A new 80-mile walking trail linking North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Hull, exploring stories of freedom, faith and social change connected to Olaudah Equiano, John Wesley, the Pilgrim Fathers and Salim C. Wilson.

Indian Cultural Association North Lincolnshire – River of Talent 2027
A multicultural celebration at The Baths Hall featuring music, dance, Indian cuisine and community awards recognising contribution and social impact.

Kimberly Performing Arts – Stories in Motion
An intergenerational performing arts project bringing young dancers together with older residents to share memories and local stories through dance and musical theatre.

Oasis Hub – Layered Landscapes: The Scunthorpe Tapestry
A multi-generational creative project using photography, texture-mapping and textile art to reimagine Scunthorpe’s industrial architecture and community identity.

Over the Bridge – Artist Residency
A supported residency for an emerging local photographer to create new work inspired by North Lincolnshire’s people, places and heritage, culminating in a public exhibition or presentation.

Owston Ferry Smithy – Sample the Smithy
Free blacksmithing taster sessions at The Old Smithy & Heritage Centre, giving people the chance to use the forges, learn traditional skills and make a souvenir to take home.

Shepherd Creative – Lincs Film Festival
A research and development project and one-day proof of concept event to test demand for a future community film festival focused on northern stories, emerging talent and accessible participation.

STEAMPunx Lincs – Legends of the Humber: Creatures, Coast & Curiosity
A creative heritage project exploring folklore, landscapes and the environment through storytelling, art, poetry, imagined creatures and a cabinet of curiosities-style exhibition.

Street Beat – Culture Fusion
A dance project exploring cultural identity, heritage and racism through urban dance, guest artist workshops, choreography, performances and community sessions with young people.

Ted Lewis Centre – Dive with Ted Lewis into The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine
A project celebrating Ted Lewis’s work as Animation Clean-up Supervisor on Yellow Submarine, including oral histories, research, exhibitions and a live Beatles tribute event.

The Ropewalk – Barton Shops & Shopping: A Community Archive Project
A community-led heritage project collecting memories, photographs, objects and oral histories about Barton’s retail history, creating a digital archive, pop-up displays and workshops.

The Tent Project – Her-Story Project
A creative project supporting women in Scunthorpe to share experiences through art, craft and writing, with support from creative practitioners and wellbeing specialists.

Wilderspin National School Museum – The Art of Play: Past, Present and Reimagined
An artist residency led by Annabel McCourt exploring play, mischief and childhood through archive research, workshops, storytelling and a public exhibition.

In total, more than £63,000 has been awarded in this round.

The Cultural Futures programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council.

Find out more information, including the full criteria and how to apply for future funding, on the Cultural Futures webpage or email culturalfutures@northlincs.gov.uk.