HISTORIANS are appealing to the public for stories about the hundreds of people who wrote on the cell block walls of Richmond Castle across the 20th century.

An event is being held at Richmond Town Hall from 1pm to 6pm on Saturday, June 9, which will be an opportunity for the public to learn more about the National Lottery funded project, Richmond Castle Cell Block, and hear about the latest research discoveries relating to the cell block graffiti.

Dr Megan Leyland at English Heritage said: “Most of the graffiti dates from 1916 and 1939 to 1940. However, entries were still being added as late as the 1970s. Some of these inscriptions and their creators are still within living memory. We are inviting people to bring documents and photographs relating to the castle, cell block and graffiti and to share their memories of family, friends or acquaintances who wrote on the cell walls or used the castle in the 20th century through oral testimonies.

"With a list of the names written on the cell walls that we have catalogued so far, you can also discover if your relative or friend was the creator of one of the Richmond Castle graffiti.”

Covering the walls of the 19th-century cell block at the castle are thousands of graffiti ranging from delicate portraits to bold political, religious statements to pastoral scenes and regimental numbers.

These fascinating drawings and the results of new research have already provided extraordinary insights into the lives of those who were incarcerated or stationed at Richmond Castle.

The Richmond Castle Cell Block project is co-funded by English Heritage and a £365k Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

For more information contact Dr Lucia Morawska on 07770-676995.