Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre

“Caistor is gradually losing the whole of its heritage. It's important we retain it for our children.”

This rural market town, which dates back to Roman times, was in danger of losing its historical and cultural identity. Its artefacts were on show in other parts of the country and there was no space to display the ones it did have. Some were even stored in local garages.

So the villagers came up with a plan. To turn a disused former chapel into the Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre so they could share important local finds before they are lost.

Known locally as 28 Plough Hill, their vision finally became reality when it opened its doors to the public on 11 April 2011.

With a detailed timeline of Caistor's history from 8000 BC to the present and a giant-sized reproduction of the 1907 Ordnance Survey map, locals now have their own piece of history.

There's also an impressive exhibition space which can be used for workshops, training sessions and meetings, playing host to Caistor's vibrant community of professional and amateur artists.

A fantastic cafe with its own terrace serving up Tastes of Lincolnshire food is proving extremely popular and the Lincolnshire County Library has also moved in.

The centre, which relies mostly on volunteers, is open every day and has created four new jobs including a cafe manager and assistant manager.

Caistor, Lincolnshire, England