FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council has appointed a new Digital Remembering Officer, on secondment until next March, through the Shared History Fund.

Newly appointed Julian Thornton’s remit as Digital Remembering Officer will see him based at Fermanagh County Museum, where he will work with individuals, local people and community groups to record stories and memories of the past through video, oral histories and online resources.

Focusing on local life and events 100 years ago, interested parties will be offered access to museum collections, equipment, training and support for those wishing to record their heritage for posterity.

All work will be underpinned by ‘The Principles of Remembering’, developed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Community Relations Council, to help navigate difficult history and encompass a range of perspectives.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has been awarded £38,000 for the Digital Remembering Initiative through the Shared History Fund, that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is distributing on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office, to support groups in marking the Centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021 in a thoughtful, inclusive and engaging way.

Welcoming the funding, the Chair of the Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said: “We’re grateful to the Northern Ireland Office and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making funding available through the Shared History Fund to enable the Council to resource this role [of the Digital Remembering Officer].

“As a consequence of this allocation, the Council will be able to share some untold stories about Northern Ireland’s history and mark the Centenary in a way that will commit our history to record for future generations to enjoy.”

Mukesh Sharma, Chair, Northern Ireland, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We recognise that there are aspects of heritage that can be challenging. However, our experience in supporting partners to navigate difficult periods in our history throughout the Decade of Centenaries demonstrates that there is a way to engage with difficult heritage in a positive way.

“No one narrative is more important than another, and it’s important we create a space that allows a range of stories to be told.”

To contact Julian to express an interest in finding out more about available resources and support through the Digital Remembering Initiative, email castle@fermanaghomagh.com, or telephone the Museum & Heritage Service at 028 6632 5000.