NEWSLETTERS

We publish 2 newsletters each year, one in April featuring reports of the last season's lectures and one in September previewing the following season's lectures. Short articles on local and family history are usually included. These can accessed here.

CURRENT NEWS October 2024

The Society is delighted to announce that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded a grant of £54,827 to protect and develop South Pennine Archives, a partnership between the digital image archive owned by Pennine Heritage and the document archive owned by the Society. The project will deliver:

CURRENT NEWS September 2024

The lecture season starts on 25th September when David Glover will be giving a talk entitled August 1842 - The People versus the Establishment. The mills of Halifax were brough to a total standstill. Confusion and violence. Plug drawing and Chartists. Why did it all happen? Come and find out.
This will be followed on 9th October with a talk on Fifty Years of Local Democracy in Calderdale by Michael Peel. Boundaries were redrawn, alliances and democratic certainties were overturned and the old way of doing things were swept aside by new realities.

There are still a number of Heritage open days and events this weekend in our local area and details can be searched using this website. https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

Heritage Open Days 2024 - Connecting Hebden Bridge's Past and Present September 14, 2024 - September 15, 2024 Birchcliffe Centre, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8DG
For more than 40 years, the Birchcliffe Centre has been home to a number of wonderful historical resources. Our digital archive holds the collections of Alice Longstaff, who captured the soul of Hebden Bridge on film for over 70 years. . As well as being able to explore our wonderful Grade 2 listed former chapel, you'll be able to look at a newly-printed collection of Longstaff photos, discover the work that has been done by student and adult learning groups with the University of Huddersfield, and sample the incredible work of our tenants who showcase so much of the creativity that Hebden Bridge has become known for.

Heritage Open Day September 14 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Heptonstall Museum Church Yard Bottom, Heptonstall Researching Heptonstall is a community-led group for anyone with a passion for uncovering the past. Whether you're diving into your family history, the story of your house, or the secrets of a specific area - join us in helping unravel routes, networks and connections that have made Heptonstall such a fascinating hilltop town. info@heptonstallmuseumfriends.org.uk

Calderdale Heritage Walks
David Cant will be leading a walk around Sowerby Bridge on Sunday 15th September. Meet outside the Refreshment Rooms, Sowerby Bridge station HX6 3AB at 2pm. A look at the history of this area around the old bridge, the mills and both railway stations. https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/summer.html

CURRENT NEWS July 2024

Just a quick note for your diary that the start of the new season of lectures will be on 25th September. Details will be circulated with the Autumn Newsletter.

We are always glad to have contributions to the Newsletter – so if you have some local research or other local activities you would like to share, please get in touch.

Publications of local interest – some holiday reading?

‘The Little Hill Farm’ by W B Crump: the latest publication by the Society. This has been selling well but if you havn’t got a copy one is available at local bookshops or through the society website at £11.99 +pp. https://www.hebdenbridgehistory.org.uk/pages/publications

'A Place Apart’: Hebden Bridge as seen through the eyes of the Spencer family by Christopher Collier, a member of the Society, which was published earlier in the year (you may have been to the book launch mentioned in a previous Enews). An extensively researched account of Hebden Bridge in the late nineteenth century with numerous illustrations and a detailed bibliography £12.95.

'Rishworth School in the Great War’ by Lucy Ives A new publication, of over 200 pages, detailing the backgrounds of the 26 former Rishworth School pupils killed in World War 1. Also included are notable stories of others that served, Gallantry Medal recipients and the history of their longest serving Headmaster, Richard Henry Elliott, known to them all, who also lost his son to the conflict. Names of those that lost their lives and appear on the School War Memorial; Gerrard Bennett, Thomas Bottomley, James Caldwell, John Taylor Carter, Thomas Dalzell, Geoffrey Elliott, William Henry Gibson, Edward Haley, James Thornton Halstead, Harold Hanson, Herbert Hodgson, Edmund Holt, Arthur Kippax, Harold George Lewis, James Lister, Sam Lumb, Norrie Warden Marshall, Arthur Milligan, Richard Henry Plater, Eric Bottomley Rayner, William Stocks, Charles William Swaine, Berwin Taylor, Joseph Walton, Benjamin Whiteley and Sidney Wilson. Fred Wood (not currently on the School War Memorial). The book is available at £30.00 (+ P+P). For contact details message secretary@hebdenbridgehistory.org.uk

The Ryburn Valley History Society is publishing a book: 'The Mills and People of Sowerby Bridge' The book will show how a few small hamlets became a thriving mill town and the changes that followed. It will provide a record of each textile mill and will also shine a light on the people who made the mills the cornerstone of this town. It includes many photographs, maps and illustrations and has 182 pages. The book will be available from 1st August. The society are asking for 'pre-orders' . Please send a message to secretary@hebdenbridgehistory.org.uk if you would like order details. It will cost £10.00 if pre-ordered by 1st August or £10.95 after that date.

Local Events coming up shortly

Hands-on History at the Birchcliffe

Monday 12th August - Water and the Preservation of Hardcastle Crags with Dr Andrew McTominey

Monday 19th August – The Baptist Churches of West Yorkshire with Dr Rob Piggott

Tuesday 27th August – Poets in the Pennines: History and Poetry of Sylvia Plath with Dr Iona Murphy.

All sessions are interactive and involve working with historical documents as we use, and hopefully add, to our amazing South Pennine Archives.

Sessions are 10am to 12pm, £5 per person, tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Contact info@pennineheritagelorg.uk to book a place.

And Miss Mary Smith gave 3d

A free family event for the school holidays provided by St James’ Church Hebden Bridge

Saturday 27th July 2024 - A celebration day about stained-glass 10:30 am until about 3 pm

11 am until about 12 noon and 1:30 pm until about 2:30 pm Craft activities exploring “stained glass” art suitable for families and children led by Rev Ruth Gibbons. 11.15 am to 12 noon an illustrated talk on the background to the stained-glass windows in St James Church – Dave Smalley, a local historian who also has an interest in the history of Victorian stained-glass. 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm and 2 pm to 2:300 pm - Dave Smalley will take groups on a tour of the windows. 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm and 2 pm to 2:30 pm - Karl Theobald, a local stained-glass master craftsman who restores, conserves and creates stained-glass, will show how the windows were created by actually cutting and leading some glass.

Calderdale Heritage Walks coming shortly on Sundays in August

Four routes from Halifax to Wakefield led by Ian Philp on 4th August

All about Wainhouse led by Steve Crabtree on 18th August

Heptonstall Town led by John Billingsley on 26th August

https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/winter.html

CURRENT NEWS March 2024
Our next lecture is on Wednesday 13th March and sounds fascinating. David Cant will be unveiling the story of: The farm that moved: Hollin Hey in Cragg
At the end of the 19th century a farmstead was rebuilt a field’s length downhill from the old site of Hollin Hey. The background of those involved and the survival of old plans and drawings present a vivid picture of changing farming life in the area. David Cant needs little introduction as a speaker on landscape and vernacular buildings, having contributed many talks to Hebden Bridge and other local history societies. After more than 35 years living in the area, he is still fascinated by the landscape, buildings and history, and still sharing his enthusiasm and his knowledge.
Book launch
Immediately before our meeting from 6.30 -7pm there is a book launch in the Methodist Hall. Christopher Collier will be introducing his book: A place apart: Hebden Bridge as seen through the eyes of the Spencer family in the late nineteenth century. He will give a short talk and there will be refreshments. Members are cordially invited.

David Taylor
Charlotte Taylor, David’s daughter, has asked me to pass on details of the small memorial and interment of her dad's ashes. It will be on Friday 12 April 11.00 am at Stonefall Cemetery in Harrogate. Anyone who knew him would be very welcome but she said “ It would be super helpful if people could let me know if they are coming just so we have an idea of numbers as we'd like to offer lunch for anyone who wanted to stay afterwards.” Her email is Charlotte Taylor heliobore@gmail.com. Charlotte, on behalf of her father, has donated his book collection to the society and the signal box group.

The Lit and Sci have a talk this weekend; there are a few tickets left: Matthew Cobb: Why did it take 200 years to find out where babies came from? How we discovered the secret of sex. Saturday 9th March 2024 • Hebden Bridge Town Hall • 7:30pm • £10 •. https://hblitandsci.org.uk/ Todmorden Town Hall
Tours of the Town Hall. a Grade I listed building, are now available for free on the first Sunday of the month (except October) at 2pm. The next one is on 7th April and details of future date are on https://www.visittodmorden.co.uk/whats-on. You do need to book either by calling the Todmorden Visitor Centre 01706 818181 or by sending them an email info@visittodmorden.co.uk.

Calderdale Heritage Walks coming shortly
Sunday 17th March 2024 Chaos in Shelf A new walk led by Ben Stables
Sunday 31st March 2024 HEPTONSTALL'S EDGES
A longer walk (2.5mls) circles above Colden Valley to Popples and Slack and back into Heptonstall, with memories of the Industrial Revolution, Nonconformist era, witch mania, pestilence, folklore and famous and (not-so-famous) poets. Steep drops, a half mile of very uneven woodland terrain included: Walking shoes, good footing and a head for heights recommended. Led by John Billingsley. https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/winter.html

There are several upcoming talks at other local societies.
The Mytholmroyd Historical Society’s next lecture is on 9th March –Churchill Remembered – speaker Barry Noble. https://www.mytholmroydhistory.org.uk/
Todmorden Antiquarian Society have a talk by Nick Wilding on 19th March: Ethell Carnie Holdsworth: Radical Reformer, Author & Campaigner. https://www.todmordenantiquarians.co.uk/speaker-events/ Cragg Vale History Group. The next talk is by David Cant and is called Springtime Saunterings. 21st March. https://www.craggvalecommunity.co.uk/index.php/history-group

British Association for Local History
A reminder that the society is a member of the BALH and members can listen to lectures at a reduced rate. Get in touch if you would like more details. https://www.balh.org.uk/events

CURRENT NEWS January 2024
After a rather longer than intended break since our last lecture we are on track for our next events.
On Wednesday 14th February we have a talk by Hebe Gilbert about Community led education in industrial West Yorkshire, 1820-1900
Hebe is a local history teacher with a Masters in History from Leeds University and a special interest in the history of Industrial Yorkshire. Her talk will explore the efforts of men and women in Huddersfield, Halifax, Leeds and the smaller towns and villages of the West Riding to educate themselves and attempt to explain the impact that this had on them and their communities.
This will be followed on Wednesday 28th February with a talk by Kelly Swaby. Mary Atack: local nurse: national story. Mary Atack was a Hebden Bridge local who served as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse during the Second World War. Remarkably, many of her documents were preserved, giving a unique insight into her service and the role played by ordinary people in a wider national event. Kelly Swaby is currently undertaking a PhD in nursing history at the University of Huddersfield, having spent many years studying various elements of nursing during the twentieth century.
More details of these and future events can be found on the website. https://www.hebdenbridgehistory.org.uk/events

Now some Family History news Anne Mealia has sent the following details which are of considerable interest to Local Historians and researchers into Family History.
Consultation on digitisation of post-1858 wills
The Ministry of Justice has announced a consultation process to digitise most post-1858 paper wills. It is proposed that after digitisation most of the originals would be destroyed. A number of organisations such as AGRA, BALH and The Society of Genealogists have joined others from the legal, historical and genealogical communities in objecting to the proposals. The planned destruction of original historical wills would be a major loss to our cultural and historical heritage as digitisation carries risks such as accidental loss of data, errors in transcriptions and indexing and cyberattacks.
The consultation period will run until 23 February 2024 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/storage-and-retention-of-original-will-documents There is also a petition against the proposals: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/654081

Calderdale Heritage Walks coming shortly
Anne Kirker is leading a walk about Victorian Halifax on Sunday 4th February Anne Mealia’s walk Going to Church in Todmorden is on 18th February https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/winter.html

There are several upcoming talks at other local societies.
The Lit and Sci have a talk on 17th February by Professor Thomas Leo McCluskey: What is AI really? A Boffin’s View https://hblitandsci.org.uk/
The Mytholmroyd Historical Society’s next lecture is on 9th February –Mobile Police Museum – speaker David Hardcastle. https://www.mytholmroydhistory.org.uk/
Todmorden AntiquarianSociety have a talk by Peter Watson on 6th February: Nostlgia:The 1950’s and 60’s. https://www.todmordenantiquarians.co.uk/speaker-events/
Cragg Vale History Group
The next talk is about Calvert Mills in Wainstalls. 15th February. https://www.craggvalecommunity.co.uk/index.php/history-group
Calderdale Industrial Museum have a new exhibition running to 6th April: The story of the Wainstall Waifs. https://calderdaleindustrial.co.uk/exhibitions-and-events-at-the-museum/
Halifax Antiquarian Society has several events coming up and their library on the top floor of the Central Library is open on 24th February. https://www.halifaxhistory.org.uk/events/

There are several “one off” events coming up Next weekend Saturday 3rd February at Trinity Sixth Form Academy, Halifax EP Thompson at 100
E.P. Thompson lived for 17 years in Halifax with his wife, Dorothy, and the town and its local environs shaped in important ways the political and historical work that both of them undertook. This event marks his 100th birthday and further details can be found online. The event is free and tickets can be booked here: https://buytickets.at/calderdaletuc/1097983 And further ahead Starting and growing your family tree. Genealogists, Anne Mealia and Jane Sheehan are running Starting and growing your family tree at Leeds Library on 9 March. They give an overview of the different resources available to those researching their family tree and provide hints and tips based on their wealth of experience in piecing together the ongoing story of your family and your ancestors. Participants can submit their own questions beforehand so the session will be based on what you want to know: https://www.theleedslibrary.org.uk/events/starting-and-growing-your-family-tree/
Warp and Weft – two stories from the Calder Valley, seventy years apart. 21st to 23rd March Halifax Playhouse have a show of two one-act plays of local history interest. http://www.halifaxplayhouse.org.uk/

Anne Lister Birthday Festival 1st to 8th April
Tickets for the Anne Lister Birthday Festival have gone on sale for April. Events are both directly Anne Lister related and more general Halifax heritage – there is a mixture of paid for and free events. Author and historian Charlotte Furness is giving a talk about her book ‘Unmarried Women of the Country Estate’ on 2nd April.
The full schedule of events is at the link below: https://www.annelisterofhalifax.co.uk/ and tickets can be booked here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Calderdale-culturedale

CURRENT NEWS December 2023 After some well attended meetings we reach our last lecture before the Christmas break on 13th December.

Jane Jackson will be telling us about the history of Town Twinning in Hebden Royd

Jane Jackson’s first degree was a BA in History from Leeds University awarded in 1968. She moved to Hebden Bridge in 2009 and joined both the HBLHS and the Hebden Bridge Twinning Society, of which she us now Secretary/Communications Manager.

This will be followed in January by

Hebden Bridge Little Theatre: an illustrated history 1924 – 2024 by Vaughan Leslie on Jan 10 2024

Vaughan Leslie has been a member of the Little Theatre since 1987 as a frequent actor, director, and in numerous other capacities.

Jowett: the Yorkshire car by Barbara Atack on Wed Jan 24 2024

Barbara Atack has long associations with HBLHS especially as its hard-working President. She is also the membership secretary of the Jowett Car Club. Barbara, together with her late husband, owned several Jowett cars over the years and travelled with them throughout the British Isles and as far afield as France and Spain.

More details of these and future lectures are on the website

https://www.hebdenbridgehistory.org.uk/events

The Mytholmroyd Historical Society has its AGM on 8th December with refreshments and 2 local talks by members

And then on 12th January, David Cant will be talking about the Magic of Castle Carr

https://www.mytholmroydhistory.org.uk/

Todmorden AntiquarianSociety have various upcoming events - details here

https://www.todmordenantiquarians.co.uk/speaker-events/

Calderdale Heritage Walks winter walks continue with an interesting series of walks up and down the valley

https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/winter.html

Is there anyone out there who is interested in the history of Amateur Rugby League?

I have had a message from Paul Field about a heritage project he is starting for the Calderdale Community Coaching Trust on the "History of amateur Rugby League in Halifax and District. He is keen to speak with any members who have personal or family memories of Rugby League in the area. This is his email address is you would like to make contact. heritage.ccct@gmail.com

Another interesting contact: “My name is Dr Joseph Quinn, and I work for "Their Finest Hour" Project, a nationwide digital history project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and run by the University of Oxford.

“Our aim is to digitally preserve the stories and physical heritage from the Second World War era which is kept by the UK public and store this in a free-to-use online archive for the use of future generations.

As part of our project, we are coordinating over 70 events throughout the UK - these events are known as Digital Collection Days (DCD). At one of our DCDs, people are invited to bring along objects, photos, documents and other physical items from the Second World War era, as well as stories that connect them all, to be digitized and uploaded to our online archive.”

There is a DCD event at Halifax Central Library on Monday 4th December 10.30 -6 in the Archives

https://theirfinesthour.english.ox.ac.uk/event/halifax-central-library-archives

CURRENT NEWS September 2023

September and the start of our year at the society.

The Autumn Newsletter should have reached you in the last couple of weeks and the lecture series begins at the end of September. As with the last two years the talks will be live at the Methodist Church at 7.30pm and a Vimeo recording made available for a couple of weeks afterwards.

There is an interesting and varied lecture programme awaiting and details are on the society website https://www.hebdenbridgehistory.org.uk/events

Wednesday 27th September - Andrew Bibby starts us off with a lecture about the early co-operative housing movement and how Hebden Bridge played a part in it. The years before the First World War saw a widespread co-operative and community-led housing movement across Britain at a time of great working-class housing need. Andrew Bibby describes the small but significant role Hebden Bridge played in how the movement developed.

Andrew Bibby is a writer and journalist who has a particular interest in the history of the co-operative movement in Britain. A long-standing member of HBLHS, he has given talks to the society previously on Hebden Bridge’s celebrated Nutclough fustian co-operative and on the 1916 garment workers’ strike in the town. He has recently published These Houses are Ours - a history of the co-operative housing movement.

This is followed on 11 October 2023 with a talk by Sheila Graham

A melting season: inside the mind of Oliver Heywood

The Reverend Oliver Heywood, a prominent 17th century dissenter, was a prolific commentator on events and people in Halifax. Not one to be bound by the convention of speaking no ill of the dead, he was incisive and opinionated, with a marked preference for scurrilous gossip. But a study of his collected notebooks and diaries permits an insight into the mind of the man and his view of the world.

Sheila Graham is a retired English teacher, member of HBLHS committee and transcription addict. A decade of transcribing 17th century probate documents from the parish of Halifax often involved checking the Heywood diaries to see if there was a mention of one of the testators. The suspended time of lock-down offered the chance to explore his diaries more systematically to discover what made him tick.

Northowram History Society has published her booklet on the subject.

And this weekend there are a number of events.

Hebden Bridge Little Theatre, An Illustrated History 1924-2024

Hebden Bridge Little Theatre will be a hundred years old in 2024 and is planning celebrations and special events to mark the occasion. To commemorate the event, they have published a definitive history of the theatre, from its foundation in 1924, to the present day. The book chronicles the theatre’s highs and lows, with particular focus on the personalities who made the theatre such a vital part of the local community. This full-colour, 100-page volume is richly illustrated with over 200 photos and is priced at just £15. You can buy your copy of this souvenir publication at the theatre on Sunday 3rd September, at an open afternoon, from 2-4pm. Refreshments will also be provided. If you can’t make this date, contact info@hblt.co.uk for other ways to purchase the book.

Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival is also this weekend – 2nd and 3rd September. Details via this link https://rushbearing.com

Heritage Open Days start from 7th September through to 20th September with many events and free entry to historical buildings in Calderdale. Details on this link https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

Our local societies have some upcoming talks/events.

The Lit and Sci next lecture is by Professor John Wright: Born in Bradford – can a research study change a city Saturday 30th September at Hebden Bridge Town Hall 7.30pm https://hblitandsci.org.uk/

Mytholmroyd Historical Society: Their first lecture of the season is on 8th September**. Glenda Shaw will tell us about her uncle Percy Shaw, (Reflective Roadstuds). https://www.mytholmroydhistory.org.uk/

Square Chapel Halifax – Illustrated Historical Presentations

By David Glover Wednesdays - all at 2.15 pm which run through to Christmas.

The next two are:

Weds 13th September - Unwrapping Square Chapel’s 250 Years Starting with the founder, Congregational minister Titus Knight, David traces a fascinating story. This presentation is for Halifax Heritage Festival.

Weds 20th September - Barry’s Masterpiece? The Making of Halifax Town Hall Our oldest civic building, designed by Sir Charles Barry, is a purpose-built Italianate Town Hall

TICKETS £6.00 + HANDLING FEE - ADVANCE-BOOK ONLINE OR VIA 01422 353073

Calderdale Heritage Walks continue with an interesting series of walks.

https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/summer.html

Sunday 17th September West Vale from 1300 to the present led by Ian Philp

Sunday 1st October Crossleys, the inventors and their influence on West Halifax led by David Glover

Sunday 8th October 2023 FIELDENTOWN The Fielden family left its mark on Todmorden in many ways including work, religion, education and leisure. This walk around Todmorden explores the story of the Fieldens looking at many of the fine buildings they left us and some of the places where they lived and worked. suitable for dogs. Led by Anne Mealia

**And lastly- are you a keen photographer? **The British Association of Local History has a competition open to all

Your chance to take part in our 2023 quest to find some great local history images from around Britain. This year's theme is "Up my street", where we would like to see your view, around where you live, work or study, within the context of local history. Your image could focus on a street view, a building, some street furniture or some little details on a wall or the ground You may submit up to three photographs to the competition. Entry is open until midnight on Monday 11th September 2023. Use this link to enter

https://www.balh.org.uk/photo

CURRENT NEWS June 2023

It seems to be all about the Coiners at the moment.

The Gallows Pole dramatisation is available on BBC iplayer.

Steve Hartley (descendant of David Hartley) has a new book out called The Yorkshire Coiners; the true story of the Cragg Vale Gang and this Saturday 10th June he will be giving a talk at Heptonstall Museum 1pm to 3pm. Entry £5 or free to members. Booking required. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/steve-hartley-in-person-author-of-the-yorkshire-coiners-tickets-645496386067

Heptonstall Museum, Bankfield and Central Library also have displays about the coiners.

‘What Are The Railways For?’ You may be interested in a 30 minute documentary that was broadcast on the BBC in early June. It is about railways in the North and how they are used. There are a few references to the Calder Valley including from our member Diana Monahan who was interviewed about the use made of the railways by tourists in Hebden Bridge. It is available on BBC sounds. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mc65.

Our local societies have some upcoming talks/events.

The Lit and Sci next lecture is: Dara McAnulty: The Young Naturalist In Conversation with Amanda Dalton Friday 14th July 2023 • Hebden Bridge Town Hall • 8pm (Bar open 7pm) £10 BOOK Details can be found here https://hblitandsci.org.uk/dara-mcanulty/

Calderdale Industrial Museum https://calderdaleindustrial.co.uk/ The museum will be hosting a performance by The Brutish Multitude Theatre Company of a script in hand version of a new play by Michael Crowley on Sunday 6th August 2023. Waiting for Wesley is set in the Calder Valley in the summer of 1842 when a wave of strikes engulfed Lancashire and Yorkshire. As well as demanding a reversal of wage cuts, many workers demanded the government give way to the People’s Charter and introduce universal male suffrage. Supporters of ‘physical force’ Chartism were numerous in the area, Hebden Bridge Radical Association declared its belief in “the justice and right of the people to possess arms in their defence.” Thousands of troops confronted strikers, killing five and wounding many more. The play focuses on one family as tensions mount as a husband and wife are torn between allegiance to the church and organising the rebellion. Performance at 3pm, doors open at 2pm. Waiting for Wesley Tickets, Sun 6 Aug 2023 at 15:00 | Eventbrite

Cragg Vale Local History Group The next event is a guided tour of Dean Clough. Contact details in this link https://www.craggvalecommunity.co.uk/index.php/history-group

Calderdale Heritage Walks continue with an interesting series of walks. https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/summer.html Here some walks coming up Sunday 11th June Stories from lower Shibden houses including Shibden Mill Inn led by Mike Beecham Saturday 17th June Anne Lister means business in 1830s Halifax led by Jill Liddington followed by tea, cake and Q & A 2.30 start Sunday 25th June Lightcliffe in the 19th century led by Ian Philp Sat 1st & Sun 2nd July Outlaws and Nuns. Walks on the Kirklees Estate. Pre-booking essential Sunday 9th July Bogden to Slitheroe the lost valley of Ryburn led by Anne Kirker Sunday 30th July Midgley Moor: An extended walk led by John Billingsley: prehistory, folklore, custom, economy, geography and climate

CURRENT NEWS April 2023

After a very successful lecture series with many members coming to the live talks and a continued interest in watching the talks via vimeo we move on to summer events, an extra bank holiday and, hopefully, some warm weather.

The Spring Newsletter was sent out to members on 10th April via email with accounts of all the talks in the 22/23 season.

There was also a message from Rachel on behalf of the Management Committee about the Autumn Newsletter. Please respond if you have not already done so about whether we stay with a printed version for the Autumn publication or move to a Pdf version via e mail.

Coronation Celebrations at the Parish Church 6th-8th May St James’ is celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III. The church will be decorated, including Coronation-themed flower arrangements and there will be an exhibition about Prince Charles’ visits to Hebden Bridge and how Hebden Bridge has celebrated past Coronations. If you have any photos or memories of Prince Charles’ visits or past Coronations to share or want to get involved, please contact event@machpelah.uk or call at the church during the Foodshare (weekdays 2:30-3:30pm).

6th May St James’ only has one bell which can be rung. If you want to try ringing, please go to the church after 10 am but before 11am (when the Coronation begins.)

7th May Join in with The Big Lunch. This is a nationwide initiative and at St James' we are having a foodshare, a Potluck lunch and fun with our local community. Crowns available.

8th May On this day there is a nationwide initiative called The Big Help Out. (thebighelpout.org.uk) If you are involved with a group and want to publicise it at St James’ or run an activity in or from the church on that day, please get in touch. event@machpelah.uk

Dreaming Valleys 2

On a different note John Billingsley of our folklore group has sent me information of an event at the Birchcliffe Centre on 3rd June . Back in 2020, in the last days before lockdown, Northern Earth presented a ground-breaking conference comprising a melange of folklore, archaeology, geography, phenomenology and psychogeography, presented through talks, film, music and sideshow. Following the Covid hiatus, we’re back with other partners to present "Dreaming Valleys 2”

Enquiries can be directed to editor@northernearth.co.uk or via the ticket site, where you will find more details. Tickets are available on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dreaming-valleys-2-a-day-of-deep-topography-tickets-583116907367?fbclid=IwAR0QBqiu2gyuGYkdcHWkgmoh7KbvaX5X5Lpt2vJsbFoQJ3xnECRefb8xSco

Our local societies have some upcoming talks/events.

Mytholmroyd Historical Society https://www.mytholmroydhistory.org.uk/ The society have a tour planned on 9th June (for members only) A stroll to Redacre a guided tour around the Redacre area of Mytholmroyd + refreshments – led by Lynda Thomas.

Cragg Vale Local History Group https://www.craggvalecommunity.co.uk/index.php/history-group Their next talk on May 18th at St John’s Church, 7.30 is Researching the history of your house by Barbara Atack

Calderdale Industrial Museum https://calderdaleindustrial.co.uk/ The next talk, by Brian Harkness, is Edward Crossley’s Two Very Famous Telescopes on Wednesday 10th May.

Calderdale Heritage Walks have a new summer programme https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/summer.html Here are the next 4: Sunday 30th April 2023 Exploring Hove Edge led by Ian Philp Sunday 7th May 2023 A walk around Copley led by Steve Crabtree Sunday 14th May 2023 Mytholmroyd Meander led by David Cant Sunday 14th May 2023 Death, Danger and Disease in Todmorden led by Anne Mealia

Enews extra 9th February 2023 We have recently received a copy of: A History of Crimsworth Dene in the Nineteenth Century by J.D. Smith.

We have been advised of a limited reprinting (40 copies) of the above book that was originally written in 1972. The author undertook a lot of document research and the book covers a number of topics including oral history about farming, farms in the valley, handloom weaving, the toll road to Keighley and a projected railway from Hebden Bridge to Keighley. It includes some black and white images and is available from the Bookcase in Hebden Bridge at £10.

CURRENT NEWS January 2023

The New Year began with two very interesting talks and it was good to see so many members braving the cold and meeting up for the live lectures. As usual the talks are available for a fortnight on the vimeo link.

Our next two lectures are on very contrasting topics:

Wednesday February 8th at 7.30pm Anne Mealia will be revealing Scandal! Local cases before the bawdy courts 1516 – 1848. Find out about people appearing before the ecclesiastical courts and some of the more scandalous aspects of life in our community in past centuries as well as details of people’s lives, relationships and the things they argued about.

Anne Mealia is a professional genealogist, historical researcher and a committee member of our society. She leads local historical walks and her own research interests include the Fieldens and the Dobroyd area of Todmorden.

This is followed on Wednesday February 22nd with a talk by Peter Robinson on Calderdale Industrial Museum: a guide to its history from a personal perspective. Peter’s talk will cover some of the early history of the building in Square Road, Halifax before it was converted for use as an industrial museum. He will examine some of the issues faced by the museum and its re-opening by a group of volunteers for the public benefit. Finally, he will offer some insight into the areas within the museum that he has been most closely involved with and offer some glimpses of highlights yet to come.

Peter Robinson is a founder member of the Calderdale Industrial Museum Association, Vice President and long-time Treasurer of the Halifax Antiquarian Society and has written many articles on the industrial history of Calderdale.

***Coming this weekend *** Local Book Launch ***

Andrew Bibby, one of our members, has a launch for his new book. Here are the details:

I’ll be delighted if you’re able to come to an informal short event I’m organising, to mark the publication of the book I have been working on over the past twelve months or so. The event is on Sat Feb 4th, 5pm-6pm, in the Café area of the Hebden Bridge Town Hall. Wine/soft drinks etc. My book describes the early history of affordable working-class housing for rent in the years up to the First World War. The years before 1919 saw the development of a widespread housing movement in Britain which delivered housing, generally on ‘garden village’ principles, through co-operative and community-led endeavour. There are details at www.gritstonecoop.co.uk/product/ab-houses

British Association for Local History.

David Cant has provided the following information about the BALH and how you can access their news and talks. As a member of a society which belongs to the British Association for Local History, our members have discounted access to events. For example, there are two webinars on using digital resources in February and March. HBLHS also receives the quarterly journals The Local Historian and Local History News, published in January, April, July and October. These are available at our archive at the Birchcliffe Centre. More information about BALH from https://www.balh.org.uk/ where you can sign up to receive their e-news.

Hebden Bridge Lit and Sci have a talk on 25th February to interest your taste buds: Chasing the Dram - the world of taste and whisky by Rachel McCormack. Hebden Bridge Town Hall • 7:30pm - 9:00pm (Bar open 6.30pm and after the event)

Rachel McCormack is a broadcaster and writer, known mostly as a panelist on BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet. She is the author of “Chasing the Dram, finding the spirit of whisky” a wonderful description of her journey visiting the many distilleries in Scotland https://hblitandsci.org.uk/2018/02/25/rachel-mccormack/

We have been contacted by the Yorkshire Film Festival about a fascinating film taking us back in time: We recently released Echoes of the North, a new film made from more than a hundred fragments of archive film including some footage of Hebden Bridge a century ago. It's available to watch online for free until March. We thought your members might be interested in watching it. It can be viewed on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/TnloFHin-K0

There are local societies with upcoming talks. Here are some links to explore:

https://calderdaleindustrial.co.uk/ Their next talk is on Wednesday 15th February, and will be an update on the girls from Liverpool who came to work at Calvert's Mill in Wainstalls. 'Wainstalls Waifs: their journey from workhouse to independence', by Kim Pearson.

https://www.mytholmroydhistory.org.uk/ Next event 10th February – Reminiscences of an old Actor – Peter Alexander (ex Emmerdale, Heartbeat, All Creatures Great and Small etc).

And I’ve just had this message from the society about a local project. I shall be off to have a look asap:

Ever wondered what shops there were in Mytholmroyd during the 1950s and 60s? Wonder no more. Mytholmroyd Historical Society have installed a map of the shops along New Road, Burnley Road and beyond, at the top of Church Street, Mytholmroyd. The map was drawn by Pam Jordan, (who grew up in the village in one of the shops), following the Society's Heritage Day in 2017. Pam had assistance from Ann Rushworth (nee Dodd) and Max and Molly Sunderland. Thanks go to Mark Coup of Welcome Independent Living for allowing us to attach the board to his property at Elphin House. Thanks also to Pennine Signs for producing and erecting the sign. Any memories of the shops would be gratefully received. Enjoy.

Calderdale Heritage Walks are continuing with their winter programme:

https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk/winter.html. Sunday 5th February 2023. Shibden Hall parkland and the new Turnpike led by Mike Beecham. New roads, a coal mining argument together with a pistol practice to stop intruders. All in Miss Lister’s time.The walk takes in the Godley cutting turnpike construction and Anne Lister mining activities. Includes Cunnery Lane and the Hall with the lower parkland, finishing where Godley Grange was situated.

Sunday 19th February 2023. Elland to the Calder led by Ian Philip. In 1086 the town featured in Domesday Book. From its fine old parish church and down to the river, we will see how the town evolved and developed down the centuries. There is a steep climb up Gog Hill making the walk unsuitable for wheel chairs. Sadly from many elegant Banks to none and a future Nazi foreign secretary in the ancient Fleece Inn.

Sunday 26th February 2023. Dean Clough, Bowling Dyke, Whitaker's Brewery and two North Bridge Stations led by David Glover. A look at the development and demise of the largest carpet factory in the world, and the area around it. You might be surprised to learn who owned the site in the early 19th Century. Where was the vanished brewery, and the area called Stannary; and what traces are there of a lost railway line? Includes the tale of the 1926 Crib Lane murder and a Halifax Slasher attack. With some steep steps, this walk is unsuitable for wheelchairs.