Who are we now? Local history, industrial decline and ethnic diversity

In this chapter, we challenge what might be called a ‘local history paradigm’, whereby immigration to Britain and the decline of industry are linked and local history is considered to ‘end’ in the 1980s. We explore representations of past and present in Rotherham, and draw on examples of heritage projects undertaken there by people from minority ethnic communities. We consider ways in which these projects add to the local history narrative of the town.