On Saturday 18 September, from 10am to 1pm, the American Gardens (behind the Town Hall) in Tewkesbury will host Regenerate the High Street.

This special event will share plans to regenerate the High Street, celebrate Tewkesbury's rich heritage, and support owners of Tewkesbury's historic buildings.

Tewkesbury is one of just over 60 high streets across England to have secured funds from Historic England's £95m High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme to regenerate historic high streets throughout England. This event will showcase how Tewkesbury's businesses and high street community can benefit from the £1m award.

On the morning, visitors to the American Gardens will be greeted with several stalls populated with experts in traditional skills, local heritage and funding.

There will be interactive demonstrations and advice about carrying out work on historic buildings, as well as information about the grants available through the HSHAZ scheme.

Other stalls will provide information on the Local Heritage List and the 'tree ring dating' of historic buildings. There will also be a display of historic photographs, interestingly comparing buildings in the town years ago with how they look today.

The stalls will include:

• Traditional signwriting
• Tree ring dating/dendrochronology
• Historical photographs of Tewkesbury
• Lime works, energy efficiency and retrofit
• How old is my house? - Gloucestershire Buildings Recording Group
• The Local Heritage List
• Tewkesbury Culture - the cultural consortium
• Tewkesbury High Street Heritage Action Zone

Councillor Mel Gore, lead member for built environment, said: "We're very much looking forward to this event and hearing from all the fantastic local experts and historians. We want these discussions and demonstrations to be the catalyst for positive change for the High Street Heritage Action Zone, as well as for other high streets across the borough.

"For those with a business or premises in or near the Heritage Action Zone, this event is not to be missed! I would also encourage anyone with an interest in Tewkesbury's rich heritage and cultural history to come along to see the demonstrations and hear from the experts - it is sure to be an interesting and inspiring few hours."

Ross Simmonds, acting regional director at Historic England South West, said: "This event offers something for everyone, whether you want to know more about Tewkesbury's remarkable history, find out about future cultural events, or see heritage craft skills in action.

"It's the perfect introduction to the High Street Heritage Action Zone and how it will breathe new life into Tewkesbury in the coming years."

For those who cannot make the event, selected pieces of information from the event will subsequently be available at Tewkesbury Heritage Centre (100 Church Street).

For more information about the scheme, visit tewkesbury.gov.uk/hshaz