Stephen Barker
Heritage Adviser, specialising in consultancy for those applying to fund projects with military history themes. Public speaker.
Buckinghamshire
info@stephen-barker.co.uk
07775 974 976
ABOUT
My interest lies in promoting people’s understanding of their military heritage, making the past interesting, relevant and exciting for a variety of different audiences. By working closely with clients and listening to their particular needs, I apply for and run projects with the exciting outcomes demanded. I specialise in work relating to the First World War and British Civil Wars.
I have run succesful projects for the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, the Soldiers of Oxfordshire, Banbury Museum and the Battlefields Trust. I make funding applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Arts Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Arts Council England (ACE). If you would like to know more about making an application for your project, do get in touch.
I have fourteen years experience in the heritage sector, working with museums, universities, charities and other organisations. I have run a number of projects, making succesful applications for funding, curating exhibitions and providing strategic leadership and direction.
I am an Arts Council Accreditation Mentor, a Trustee of the Buckinghamshire Military Museum Trust and a board member of the Fete Day Company. I ran the Education Service at Banbury Museum for many years following twenty years in Education.
SPEAKING: Presentations and Tours
I make over thirty presentations and tours a year for local history societies, universities and military heritage groups. Here are some of the new themes:
‘The City of Oxford during the English Civil War, 1642-46 - a walking tour'
This walking tour examines Oxford's role as Royalist capital through the eyes of some of the people who were present, assesses the impact of the war on the city and surrounding area and highlights what remains to this day. Access to the university colleges will give insights into the impact on people and the tour includes a guided visit to the Ashmolean Museum.
'Banbury Munitions Factory during the Great War'
Arguably the most important industrial heritage site in Oxfordshire and a site of international importance, Filling Factory No.9 at Banbury was the largest employer in the county during the First World War. This fully illustrated presentation includes contemporary film clips and images of the site as it is today.
‘Five RAF Indian Pilots of the Great War'
In November 1916, The Royal Flying Corps began an experiment to recruit for the first time Indians resident in Britain. Prior to that, men such as these were unable to enlist owing to a 'colour-bar'. Why was there a change of policy and what would be the experiences of these five men?