On Tuesday, 21 July, we launched the Mapping Heritage Toolkit with an online workshop that drew interest from 100 participants from more than 10 countries.
The toolkit is for anyone who loves local history, leads a community group, or wants to explore how maps and storytelling come together. It guides users through 12 simple steps to co-creating a story map.
It’s the culmination of 18 months work between Loughborough University researchers based in the School of Design and Creative Arts, and the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group.
We were joined by guest contributors Dr Firat Batmaz and Dr Sara Saravi from the Centre for AI in Education, Department of Computer Science at Loughborough University, who added valuable insight to the session about ethics and generative AI.
Sharon Gray and David Kirkby, representing the volunteer group, also contributed with their experience and perspectives on being part of the project.
The toolkit is now live! Click on the image below to download it.
Watch the workshop recording immediately below.
The toolkit and the three supporting leaflets that informed its development (see below) were posted to participants who requested them through our feedback survey.
To download the supporting leaflets, follow these links:
The development of Loughborough’s fabulous Art Deco Trail is the the latest collaboration between researchers at Loughborough University and the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG). The project was shared with members of the Loughborough Heritage Forum on 29 April 2026.
Above: Lougborough’s Art Deco Trail map – Click on the map to download the full leaflet.
Having attended the Forum several times since 2024, the TOWN Observatory was invited to become a permanent member. Chaired by Kathy Phillips, from the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group, the Forum meets three times a year. Each in attendance is provided with the opportunity to share their heritage interests and activities, and the meetings are minuted.
Top: Chairperson Kathy Phillips from LLLSVG introducing the meeting of the Loughborough Heritage Forum. Middle: David Kirkby, and Christine Harris absorbed in discussion about the Art Deco Trail leaflet. Bottom: Leaflets about Art Deco Loughborough and Medieval Loughborough.
Sponsored by the Loughborough Building Society, the Forum provides opportunity to connect regularly with some of Loughborough’s main heritage providers, as well as several independent contributors who bring diverse perspectives. Many attendees are well known to each other.
Loughborough Heritage Forummembers
All Saints with Holy Trinity Loughborough Parish Church
Artspace Loughborough
Beaumanor Hall
Charnwood Arts;
Charnwood Borough Council
Culture Leicestershire
Friends of Charnwood Museum
Friends of Garendon Park
Go Leicestershire
Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society
Loughborough Building Society
Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum Trust
Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough Library
Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group
The photo above shows the participants and the instructor, Acka, on the first day of the workshop.
As part of the development of the Heritage Stories Scoping Project, the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG) has shown a keen interest in becoming more autonomous and enhancing their software skills. Inspired by the success of StoryMaps created in collaboration with the TOWN Observatory team, the group expressed a desire to learn new digital storytelling techniques. Recognising this enthusiasm, the TOWN Observatory has actively supported their goals, starting with a tailored 3-session workshop focused on creating AI-generated podcasts and audio stories.
The photo above shows Dr Sara Saravi clarifying questions of one of the participants during the second day of the workshop.
Led by instructor Acka Kruszyc, the workshop brought together 9 participants eager to explore AI-driven storytelling. Over three sessions, they learned how to craft scripts from their own researched and fact-checked texts, and how to use AI voices to bring their stories to life. The involvement of experts, Dr Firat Batmaz and Dr Sara Saravi from the Department of Computer Science added valuable technical guidance, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. The outcomes of the workshop were highly successful.
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Above (read left to right): (1)Dr Sara Saravi and Acka Kruczyk listening to the audio stories created by a participant. (2) Participants engaging with AI tools to create their audio stories. (3) Participants working on their audio stories with Dr Cristina Goldschmidt Kiminami providing guidance and support throughout the session.
The session concluded participants motivated and excited about the countless possibilities that AI and audio storytelling present for their future projects. This milestone not only equipped the LLLSVG with new skills but also opened the door to innovative ways of engaging their activities through storytelling and digital media.
The TOWN Observatory (TO) participated in the Loughborough Heritage Open Weekend held on September 20th and 21st. During the event, the team was based at the Careers and Enterprise Hub, where they showcased the TO project and shared updates on its latest developments.
Throughout the weekend, the team offered presentations to the public, highlighting ongoing research and inviting visitors to engage in friendly conversations about the advancements and community involvement associated with the observatory.
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Above (read left to right): (1) Dr Robert Harland presenting the TOWN Observatory; (2) Dr Cristina A G Kiminami presenting the Loughborough Stories platform; (3) Pegah Aftabi presenting about a recent survey on co-creating heritage in Loughborough.
During the event, on Saturday, the TO presented the Loughborough Stories platform, featuring the new Medieval Loughborough initiative undertaken in partnership with the Loughborough Library Local Studies Volunteer Group (LLLSVG). The Heritage Open Weekend also featured an inaugural Medieval Loughborough Walk promoted and hosted by LLLSVG. Following this, the Colouring Loughborough team also shared their work and was available for walk in sessions.
(4) Mihyun Kim, Pegah Aftabi, Dr Cristina A G Kiminami, and Dr Robert Harland at the Careers and Enterprise Hub ready to welcome the public on Saturday
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Above (read left to right):(5) David Kirkby, Christina Harris, and Sharon Gray from the LLLSVG team visiting the TOWN Observatory. (6) TOWN Observatory leaflets (including a map) available to the public. (7) The Medieval Loughborough Walk promoted and hosted by LLLSVG
The event also provided the opportunity to showcase innovative PhD research and early findings through interactive mapping activities with the public and ongoing collaborators.
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Above (8 and 9): The interactive mapping activity conducted by Pegah Aftabi at the Heritage Open Weekend. This session involved an investigation of communities interactions with listed buildings in Loughborough.
On Sunday, other members of the TOWN Observatory team were present. The main highlights were the sharing of the Loughborough in Motion and Chat Loughborough platforms. Several other doctoral researchers also showcased their work.
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Above (read left to right): (10) Matt Beenchey, Tong Chen, Dr Asya Natapov, Wenjie Chen, Mohamed Shamroukh, (11) The TOWN Observatory team presenting the Loughborough in Motion Platform.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Jill Vincent, Pete Hitchings, Bhavna Patel and John Weightman for their support in facilitating this activity.
