THE launch night for a new Heritage Lottery-funded project exploring the history of Barrow Market is set to take place this month.

Furness-based charity Signal Film and Media has announced that Market Tales will run until April next year, getting under way with the opening event at its Cooke's Studios headquarters, in Abbey Road, on Wednesday October 18.

Residents are invited to attend the launch to find out more about the project, and it will be an opportunity for people to get involved in the pre-Christmas programme of events, which is set to include archive research sessions, oral history training, storytelling and sound workshops, planned visits to other north-western markets and the opening of a temporary market stall in Barrow Market.

The evening will include drinks, snacks and a talk from local historian Bill Myers about what’s currently known of the market’s history.

The aim of Market Tales will be to gain a deeper understanding of what Barrow Market means to the community as a site of grassroots enterprise, a social hotspot and a melting pot of people of all ages and cultures.

Project manager Julia Parks says: “So far we only know the basics - Barrow Market opened in 1864 and was relocated to its current site in 1971.

"Some stalls have been held by the same families for generations. Loads of Barrovians still remember riding on the hand-painted fairground carousel or going to Ernie’s to get a bag of sweets.

"We want to explore the scents, sounds and stories of the market now and down the years, to trace its history and discover what it means to people now by sharing memories, images and artefacts to celebrate its impact.”

Those interested in volunteering for the project orsharing their stories of Barrow Market are asked to contact julia@signalfilmandmedia.co.uk for further information.

The free Market Tales launch event takes place at the Cooke's Studiod, in Abbey Road, Barrow, on Wednesday October 18, from 6pm to 7.30pm.