HCS Members’ Update August 2023

Train passengers are being warned of disruption to rail services on most weekends through August, September and October 2023

Transport News

In case you missed it, a very informative piece by Martin Shaw on Huddersfield Hub concerning forthcoming rail closures being carried out as part of the TransPennine route upgrade.
While this will be an inconvenience to some, we must be grateful for work now progressing at pace to improve the service between Huddersfield, Leeds and Manchester. For details go to https://huddersfieldhub.co.uk/huddersfield-railway-station-to-be-closed-at-weekends-in-september-and-october-as-part-of-transpennine-route-upgrade/

Events

Thursday, August 24, 6pm: Evening walk around Golcar followed by supper at Colne Valley Museum. Meet: Providence Methodist Church, Knowl Road, Golcar.

Just a few places remain for our summer evening guided walk around the historic village centre ending at Colne Valley Museum for a pea and pie supper with a hot drink at about 7.30pm and a look around for those who wish.  Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

The walking tour will last approximately 1.5 hours and parking spaces are available at the Methodist church.

The evening costs £8 including supper for HCS members. Non-members will be charged £10. Bookings no later than Tuesday, August 8 please by contacting Michael Barron. Email  or telephone 01484 537080.

Discover Huddersfield Walks’ Programme 2023

Two walks are scheduled in the next few weeks. On Sunday, August 20 at 2.30pm join Ian Stevenson on the Greasepaint and Limelight trail to discover the location and history of some of the theatres, cinemas and music halls of the past. On Saturday, September 2 at 10.30am ‘Not Any Old Iron’ will reveal the architectural metalwork that can be found across Huddersfield town centre on many historic buildings.

Join Chris Marsden in finding the creative use of iron, steel and bronze for shelter, safety and security that have survived modernisation, demolition and wartime salvage.

Bookings can be made up to 14 days before the walk through Eventbrite by going to bit.ly/42gClji

Thursday, September 7 at 7pm: Celebrating 21 years of Kingsgate – a new chapter unfolds.

New North Road Baptist Church, New North Parade Huddersfield HD1 5JU

Jonathan Hardy, the man at the helm of the Kingsgate Shopping Centre, will reveal the story of 21 years of Kingsgate Shopping Centre and work now underway on an ambitious development programme and expansion into the leisure sector.

Jonathan will reflect on how and why Huddersfield’s premier retail venue came into existence, the changing landscape of town centre retailing over the years and the challenges faced post Covid, Brexit and the cost of living crisis.

The story will take us through to the current development activity which will see the establishment of much-needed leisure facilities to encourage visitors into the town.

Jonathan’s presentation will be supported by a range of visuals from the past, present and future with the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation which is expected to finish around 8.30pm.

Entry is free to HCS members with non-members asked for a donation of £5. Those attending and wishing to become a member of HCS will be given the opportunity to become a member for an additional £5 on the night.
Booking via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/Kingsgate21years

If you want to hear about future HCS events as soon as they become bookable on Eventbrite please tick the box which says ‘Keep me updated on more events and news from this event organiser’ when you make your Eventbrite booking for our  September 7 talk.

Kirklees Heritage Open Days 2023

I understand that over 80 venues and events will feature in this year’s Kirklees Heritage Open Days, part of the annual festival organised by the National Trust, which runs from September 8 to 17. All venues and events are free although a small number must be booked. For details of the venues and events in the Kirklees area look out for the Kirklees HOD brochure published in mid-August or go to the national website www.heritageopendays.org.uk and search ‘Kirklees’.

7.00pm Thursday 19 October: Huddersfield Modernism: From Art Deco to Brutalism

A joint event with Huddersfield Modernists. Details and venue in a future update.

Huddersfield Cultural Heart

Last month I wrote about HCS concerns regarding the proposal to amalgamate the museum and art gallery within the former library. The report stated that ‘because economic constraints’ need to be considered, one of the opportunities currently being explored ‘is the combining of the museum and gallery into one building to provide the most cost-effective solution in terms of capital spend and operational costs’ and find another purpose for the art gallery building. This decision was particularly worrying given the Cultural Heart proposals only received planning permission in March 2023.

As a result of the council’s report, several other local organisations shared similar concerns and last week a meeting was held between representatives from HCS, Huddersfield Local History Society, Huddersfield and District Archaeological Society, Friends of Tolson Museum and Kirkburton History Group.

​The group intends to question how the initial and proposed decisions were reached, what future actions are to be taken eg. will there be further public consultation and a need to submit a revised planning application and what does this mean for the future of Tolson Museum and Art Gallery, given the considerable reduction in floorspace for displays and collections.

I will report what actions are to be taken by the group in a future update.

​Update by HCS chairman David Wyles.