We are immensely proud to announce that Powered by Hip Hop has been selected to be featured in the Heritage Open Days National Gallery. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Heritage Open Days, a nationwide celebration of England’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and it is a tremendous honour to be the only Hip Hop organisation included, as well as representing the Northwest of England.

We are immensely proud to announce that Powered by Hip Hop has been selected to be featured in the Heritage Open Days National Gallery. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Heritage Open Days, a nationwide celebration of England’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and it is a tremendous honour to be the only Hip Hop organisation included, as well as representing the Northwest of England.

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, offering free access to thousands of fascinating buildings, places, and events across the country. It provides a unique opportunity to explore hidden gems and learn more about the rich heritage that shapes our communities. For more information about the festival and to find events near you, visit Heritage Open Days.

Powered by Hip Hop has always been dedicated to uncovering the artistic and cultural past of Hip Hop in St Helens as a vital part of our towns heritage. Being featured in the Heritage Open Days National Gallery allows us to highlight the significant impact of Hip Hop culture in the North West and beyond. Our inclusion underscores the importance of diverse cultural expressions in telling the story of England’s heritage, as Hip Hop history in the country wasn’t well documented.

We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this remarkable milestone. Explore the rich history of St Helens, from its industrial roots to its dynamic present, and discover how Hip Hop culture continues to shape and influence our community. Keep an eye on our Powered by Hip Hop website for updates on our featured events and activities during Heritage Open Days.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new project at Powered By Hip Hop, generously funded by the BHP Foundation and the Community Foundation for Merseyside. This unique initiative aims to bring a burst of colour and life to our beloved St Helens parks and woodlands through the magic of wildflowers.

Wildflower seed bombs are small, ball-shaped concoctions of seeds, clay, and compost that can be scattered on the ground to grow beautiful wildflowers. They are a simple yet effective way to support local biodiversity, providing vital habitats and food sources for pollinators like bees and butterflies

ur project involves a fun and interactive activity for children and families. We have hidden special Ladybird and Bee pebbles throughout our local parks and woodlands inSt Helens. These pebbles are not only delightful to find but also hold the key to claiming your free wildflower seed bombs.

Here’s how it works:

Explore Local Parks and Woodlands: Take a stroll through the scenic areas of St Helens, keeping an eye out for the charming Ladybird and Bee pebbles.

Find a Pebble: Once you find one of these pebbles, you’ve struck gold! Each pebble entitles you to a pack of wildflower seed bombs.

Claim Your Seed Bombs: Upload and tag us in a photo on social media @poweredbyhiphop or send us a photo by email hello@poweredbyhiphop.org

Wildflowers seeds will be available to collect from one of our classes or events:

• Queens Park Leisure Centre
• Shakespeare North Playhouse
• St Helens YMCA Youth Hub
• KL Dance

Or we can drop them off at another location, when we are travelling across the town. (We are aiming to not post the seeds, to reduce carbon footprint and costs, so we can buy more wildflower seeds)

Hide the pebble: Once you have claimed your seeds, please find a new location and hide the pebble, so someone else can enjoy our wildflower adventure.

Wildflowers are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems. They provide essential nectar and pollen for pollinators, help improve soil health, and contribute to the natural beauty of our green spaces. By participating in this project, you’re not just adding beauty to your surroundings but also playing a part in supporting local wildlife. 

We invite everyone in the community to take part in this initiative. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, engage with nature, and make a positive impact on the environment. Plus, it’s a wonderful activity for families and individuals of all ages.

Stay connected with us at Powered By Hip Hop for updates on the project, collection point locations, and more exciting initiatives. Let’s come together to transform our parks and woodlands with the vibrant colours of wildflowers.

Our volunteers will take part in pollination studies across the borough to count how many insects are visiting plants in an hour, compared to the previous year. This will provide evidence that wildflowers are attracting more pollinating insects and make the countryside healthier.
Happy pebble hunting and happy planting!