Black, T., Djabarouti, J., Wilkinson, D.O., 2026.

Performing place: the spatial dynamics of intangible heritage and the Heptonstall Pace Egg ritual

The ratification by the United Kingdom (UK) UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024 marked a significant moment for both built and intangible heritage studies, prompting renewed reflection on the relationship between them within the UK context. This article takes the little-known Heptonstall Pace Egg Play in the Upper Calder Valley of northern England - a seasonal folk performance revived in the mid-20th century - as a case study to explore this interplay. This research addresses a notable gap in heritage discourse concerning the symbiotic relationship between physical spaces and place-based cultural practices, specifically in England. Utilising non-representational theory and 'habit memory', the study investigates how the performance enlivens Weavers Square - a site shaped by urban clearance in the mid-20th century - and, in turn, how the locale influences the enactment of the play. Combining archival research and participant observation, the study reveals how the annual revival of the Pace Egg Play sustains cultural memory and reinforces local identity while also stimulating cultural and economic activity through small-scale tourism. This case highlights how local traditional performances can serve as vital mechanisms for the continual reinterpretation and reinforcement of cultural heritage within evolving English villages. Consequently, the Heptonstall Pace Egg Play offers valuable insights for the integration of intangible cultural heritage into broader heritage frameworks in the UK. The study advocates for a holistic approach that can harmonise material and spatial conservation with the safeguarding of constantly evolving living traditions by leveraging the interconnectedness of tangible and intangible manifestations of culture.