Heritage project launched about the people who worked at historic former Engine Yard

A new heritage project has been launched to compile a historical record of the people who worked at a historic former Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle which is now the site of a retail park.

A collection of black and white photographs depicting the hidden history of the Engine Yard, which was built in 1850, has recently been discovered in the castle’s archives.

Workers at the historic Engine Yard, which is now the home of the Belvoir Retail Village

placeholder image — Workers at the historic Engine Yard, which is now the home of the Belvoir Retail Village

The photos have prompted people to come forward on social media to identify the individuals pictured and to share their anecdotes.

The team at Belvoir Castle is now inviting people to share their stories about the Engine Yard or the castle as part of a new heritage project to collect the oral history of the area and the people who worked there.

The Belvoir Retail Village, which was the site of Belvoir Castle's historic Engine Yard

It was home to a bustling collection of workshops, including a sawmill, a wagon-making shop and wheelwright's workshop, where skilled craftsmen and workers kept the estate running.

Now, Belvoir Castle hopes to bring that history to life by uncovering the personal stories of the people who worked there.

Eleanor Melville, marketing manager at Belvoir Castle said: "We have been so blown away by the response to the photos on social media and have really enjoyed hearing people’s stories about the larger-than-life characters who worked in the Engine Yard and the Belvoir Estate over the years."

Over the past few weeks, people have been coming forward on Facebook to identify people in the photos and share their family anecdotes so now the Belvoir team is calling on anyone who recognises a relative in the historic photographs to come forward and share names, memories and stories so they can be celebrated.

Staff at the former Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle

“So far, we’ve heard stories about an incredibly talented man who was the estate’s oak specialist and even made the 10th Duke a boat,” added Eleanor.

"We’ve also heard stories about workers meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the Engine Yard in 1997.

"Every memory, family story and identified face helps us build a richer picture of the community’s past and ensures these stories are preserved for future generations."

Email [email protected] if you would like to share your family’s story about the Engine Yard, which is now home to Belvoir Retail Village.