A theatre company has been awarded a grant to research the rich musical history of Walthamstow and bring it back to life through concerts and plays.

Clio’s Company, founded over 20 years ago, is preparing to dig out information on the Bassano family who arrived in Walthamstow from Venice in the 16th century.

The £68,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will also fund research into the life of J F H Read of Hoe Street, a stockbroker who spent his fortunes on making music.

The stories of days gone by will be reimagined in workshops for pupils at Edinburgh Primary School in Queens Road, Walthamstow ahead of a concert next summer.

Lissa Chapman of Walthamstow, joint artistic director of Clio’s Company said the Walthamstow Notes project aims to enrich people’s understanding of those who left their mark on the community.

She said: “We are delighted to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for this new project and are very much looking forward to working with a number of local organisations to rediscover, reimagine and share some of the area’s musical and cultural heritage.”

Waltham Forest Music Service and Waltham Forest Archives have offered their support for the project.

The Bassano family who were of Jewish descent arrived in the country after being invited by Henry VIII due to their musical talents.

Six brothers settled in London, including one who bought a house in Walthamstow High Street and married a local woman, and another who lived in Chingford.

The family made hundreds of musical instruments including wooden recorders with distinctive imprints of two silk moths on the bottom.

Ms Chapman says many of these unique recorders are lying in people’s attics and appealed for them to be brought forward for the project.

She said: “A few years ago somebody spotted one of the recorders in a car boot sale in Wanstead and picked it up so there are Bassano recorders out there waiting to be found.

“Bassano descendants were in the area for hundreds of years - we would like to see if we can trace any today.

“We will be working with Vestry House archives to find out more about the family as there’s a lot of interest surrounding them.”

Ms Chapman also appealed for volunteers who may be able to help with the project to come forward.

Jane Harris, Headteacher of Edinburgh Primary School, said: “Everyone at Edinburgh Primary School is excited about the Walthamstow Notes project.

“It will enable children, their families and their teachers to discover more about the music and culture of their home area, and to create their own pieces of music and performance.

“This kind of creative learning helps to build our local community while enhancing academic attainment and offering children the opportunity to acquire new skills”.

For more information visit www.clioscompany.co.uk.