They've put on war-themed workshops, dug for treasure in school fields, and hosted interesting street tours that have brought the past back to life.

And now a passionate not-for-profit organisation is opening a history HQ in Deal for the town's people and its visitors.

The History Project was founded by George Chittenden and Pete Fishlock in 2017 with a primary aim of making education fun.

Four years later their dedicated premises - The History Hub - is due to be officially opened to the public on July 19.

Packed with historical resources and a perfect base to devise future events, the premises above Deal Train Station will also be a community resource and visitor information centre featuring information on attractions in the area.

And for children who visit with their parents in the first four weeks, they'll get a free toy!

Mr Fishlock said: "The hub will provide The History Project with much-needed office space and as such we are now looking to recruit volunteers: Tour guides, admins staff, fund-raiser, researchers, writers, social-media personnel, and more.

"It will also enable us to provide more community services, such as work placements and internships, for people seeking to go into education or those who are unemployed. It also allows us to upscale our efforts to provide regular support for people suffering from social isolation and loneliness."

During lockdown the project's founders learnt to diversify and delivered remote talks online with the help of volunteer Sharon Powell.

This added to their existing online offer which includes a youtube channel.

Because of Covid, the full vision for the project's development will happen in stages, there will be the visitor information centre, workshops and training opportunities for the unemployed and out of work and there will be outreach projects like working with schools, the Astor Theatre shows and when we can we'll be going out to the children's wards in hospitals."

Now, with the easing of Covid restrictions, The History Project has resumed its workshops at the Astor Community Theatre in Deal and it is holding fun and informative history walks around the town as part of the Deal Festival, this time under the topic Deal’s Female Figures.

The organisation is funded by a mixture of donations, grants and sponsorship.

Where grants are given to pay for a specific purpose or project, sponsorship helps pay for all the project's costs including its new premises.

Mr Fishlock added: "We are looking for sponsorship to enable us to deliver more school experiences and other community based activities that are aimed at helping unemployed people gain new skills and find work, supporting people suffering from social isolation and loneliness, and even visiting children's wards in hospitals.

"We are offering a free gift to any children that are bought up to say hello in the first four weeks of the History Hub being open.

"We are looking for sponsors who would like to help us grow on our community efforts whilst taking advantage of our online following of over 100,000 people many of whom are local."

The next fundraising history night at the Astor Theatre is on July 22 at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Entry is £5.

The History Hub opens on Monday, July 19 and is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm.

For more information on events and to find out how to support the venture click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal