Robert Nichols is the man behind Middlesbrough Uncovered - a new way to experience the heritage and geography of the town. He explained that his tours were designed to amaze and inspire, focusing on the uniqueness of the town’s heritage and the diverse voices that allowed people to experience Middlesbrough as never before.
Guided by community voices
“It was a chance to be guided by community voices and listen to people’s stories - it really makes a difference to understanding when you’re there and in the place itself. I am so proud of how the new stories we told and how this year’s Middlesbrough Local History Month gave the community a chance to share what really matters to them. The feedback we have had has been amazing, everyone said the heritage walks were so immersive and told a new story about our town.”
Middlesbrough Local History Month, which is supported by Borderlands, was featured by the BBC on both television and online. The BBC feature explored how the town’s shared heritage and community stories could help deliver understanding and unity following the riots of 2024 that shook the town so deeply and threatened its social fabric.
However, in the wake of this turmoil, the community quickly rallied together, highlighting the powerful role of collaboration in recovery and challenging external perceptions. The day after the riots, residents immediately began work to clear their streets. According to Rob this extraordinary act of unity was a seed of hope and the early stage of the ‘healing process’.
History through other people’s eyes
He said: “We want to show people the streets where the riots happened and strip away any preconceptions they have, to show them the streets through other people's eyes.”
Rob emphasised that the tours are a chance to “amaze and inspire" by sharing the town's heritage, including its founding in 1830 and its growth as an industrial hub that attracted people from all walks of life.
He told Mag North: “This year we wanted to weave personal narratives into the tours that demonstrate that Middlesbrough's strength lies in the shared experiences and collaborative spirit of its residents, who, despite their diverse backgrounds, contribute to a unified community.”
Deep-seated community spirit
Some heritage walks shone a light on the area around Linthorpe Road, where the disorder began. The tours featured poignant audio recordings from long-time residents, offering firsthand accounts and memories of the town's rich history and diverse population.
Borderlands Project Director Shahda Khan explained: “I am happy the BBC covered Rob’s work on the Middlesbrough Local History Month. It is important we give people space and time to think about the summer of 2024. The immediate, collective response underscored the deep-seated community spirit within Middlesbrough. I think it was so important that some of the heritage walks focused on this because the recovery process is still taking shape today.”
The tours vividly illustrate Middlesbrough's collaborative spirit through the stories of its residents. Khadim Hussain, who moved to Middlesbrough in 1975 from Pakistan, is one such voice. After working at a local chemical plant, his family's collective efforts led to the opening of a curry house on Linthorpe Road in 1990. Hussain's reflection on his adopted home beautifully captures the town's unity.
Working together in Middlesbrough
Khadim explained that there was something special in Middlesbrough when people worked together. He said: "Even though people here might have a different skin colour or religion, we share a culture. Middlesbrough is a friendly town. We know everyone and we're all part of a family even if we have different interests."
The Middlesbrough Local History Month also focused on accessibility, with special digital walking tours helping people with mobility issues to explore the town and its special history from home.
Rob added: “One of my goals for Discover Middlesbrough going forwards is to focus more on accessibility. I’m working with partners such as the Rekindle Resource Group, libraries and Live Well Centres. We’re really thinking about how our story can work for deaf people, blind people, carers, people in isolation and really just making sure that our history really is for everyone.”
Learn more about Discover Middlesbrough
To keep up to date with future Discover Middlesbrough walks and heritage tours around Teesside follow the page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Discovermiddlesbrough
For more information on Borderlands: https://borderlandscreative.com/
