The programme for Kingston 2025 has been shaped through extensive community engagement and will be framed through an exploration of Kingston's past, present and future. Through this approach we will be working with community partners to research the many untold stories and histories of our communities in Kingston to tell a more confident and contemporary story of the borough.
The programme will see communities, schools, students and artists working together creatively; sharing their stories and cultures to celebrate what Kingston means to them. Public events, exhibitions, performances and heritage projects will provide opportunities for people of all ages to get involved. Many groups will be organising their own events and exploring aspects of our lesser known histories to bring to life stories of the people who helped to shape Kingston over the centuries. The key themes identified for further discussion and exploration were:
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Decolonising Kingston - exploring migration stories and the experiences of our diverse communities, including how they continue to shape Kingston
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Our Voices Less Heard - exploring the stories of groups and communities who are less known in histories of Kingston - from women and working class narratives to those of the LGBTQ+ communities.
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Suburban Dreams - exploring Kingston as a place of settlement, commerce, industry and exchange, which will link to a major exhibition at Kingston Museum
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Kingston’s changing landscape - will look at the borough’s journey from market town to a place that is both urban and rural. Current environmental initiatives will be highlighted especially around habitats and clean water.
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The River Cultures Festival on the Thames will provide a moment in the programme to bring communities together to explore river heritage by celebrating their own river cultures and traditions.
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Kingston as a 21st Century Market Town - will investigate opportunities for Kingston to reinvent itself as a 21st century market town and a centre for creativity and innovation rooted in a full appreciation of its heritage.
We will be sharing more information about how to get involved as partnerships and projects develop. Please check in to this page to find out more about these opportunities as they develop in the next few weeks.
