HCS Members’ Update August 2024

Discover Huddersfield

There’s nothing more enjoyable than a summer stroll and I’m sure the next couple of Discover Huddersfield walks will prove popular.

On Thursday evening, August 8, University of Huddersfield archivist Eleanor McKenzie will lead a tour around the remarkably diverse campus looking at buildings spanning over 150 years and the stories behind them. Then, on Sunday, August 18, Deb Wyles will reveal some of the historic landmarks and history of Holmfirth in a circular walk around the centre.

Book a place on the walks via Eventbrite, (http://bit.ly/DiscoverHuddersfield), from 14 days before each walk. Walks cost £4.50 per person and usually last between 90 minutes and two hours.

Further information about charges and booking details for both events in my next update.

Forthcoming Events

Sunday, September 22, 2pm: A Walk Around Penistone Town Centre

Marlene Marshall from Penistone History Archive and Friends of St John Baptist Church will lead a tour of Penistone providing a background to the history of this market town and showing how the area has changed over the centuries. 

The starting point will be the Grade 1 listed St John the Baptist church, Shrewsbury Road, Penistone, Sheffield S36 6DY.  It is expected to take between 90 minutes and two hours.

The walk will cost £2.50 per person (£3 for non-members) and payment should be made direct to the HCS account at: Huddersfield Civic Society, Sort Code: 20-43-04, Acc No: 50525022. Please add the reference: Pstone + your surname + numbers booked to help our treasurer, Gideon Richards, reconcile those who have paid with bookings received.

Thursday, October 10 at 7.30pm: Greasepaint and Limelight – The Story of Huddersfield’s Cinemas and Theatres. New North Road Baptist Church.

Ian Stevenson will share his research and fond memories of some of the 26 or so ‘pleasure palaces’ that existed in the Huddersfield area in the 1950s and 60s and some of the stars associated with them.

Heritage Open Days in Kirklees

This year’s HOD Festival runs from Friday, September 6 to Sunday, September 15 and, having seen a preview of those events and venues that have already registered, it promises to be an exceptional year to discover some of the lesser known and exciting aspects of our district, with more than 30 new events in addition to almost 70 other listings.

Brochures and publicity should be available from the third week in August or by going to www.heritageopendays.org.uk. The selection includes two Discover Huddersfield walks – Allotments, Orchards, Dikes and Shrogs on September 8 which will explore the hidden green spaces of Birkby, and Huddersfield Narrow Canal and Railway – Marsden to Tunnel End on September 15 which will tell the epic story of the building of these magnificent transport routes and their tunnels under the Pennines.

Mystery of the Missing Sculpted Heads

After my last update concerning the disappearance of the sculpted figures at mezzanine level at the former HSBC (Midland) Bank facing onto Cloth Hall Street and my frustration at having received no response from the local HSBC branch, I decided to write to the chief executive of HSBC UK Bank plc, Ian Stuart, and was delighted that within a few hours from sending my email, Ian responded.

A short time later Ian contacted me again saying: “The good news is, we have the figures. There is a plan to have them back on display later this year. Apologies that I cannot be more specific at this time. I am relieved that they have not been lost and hopefully we can ensure they have a prominent position in our bank for the benefit of our customers, (and visitors) for years to come.’

My thanks to Ian and I’m sure we all look forward to seeing these figures displayed once more.

Conservation/Listed Building and Town Centre Issues

As mentioned in my last update, an online meeting was held with Helen Bower, Conservation and Enforcement Team Leader, on Wednesday, July 17 attended by myself, Geoff Hughes, Gideon Richards, Sylvia Johnson and Howard Smith. We ran through a list of key buildings at risk to find out what progress was being made to ensure their survival and refurbishment.

Unfortunately, progress appears to be slow and it’s clear the team lack resources and staff to deal with a range of similar issues across the district. It’s understood that legal action is being pursued regarding the former infirmary because of the owner’s failure to satisfactorily protect the building from further deterioration but again the legal process appears, sadly, to be taking a considerable length of time.

Architects and heritage consultants, Purcell, commissioned to undertake an appraisal of the Town Centre Conservation Area, has now completed consultation with key services within the local authority and we understand public consultation will take place in early 2025 on what Helen has called ‘an aspirational document.’

The next day, Geof, Gideon and I attended a Kirklees Council co-ordinated High Streets Task Force Workshop based on the council’s ambition to work in partnership with various groups, businesses and organisations representing the town with the aim of revitalising Huddersfield town centre as a vibrant destination while recognising there are a number of challenges. 

The workshop will focus on three main areas: a shared understanding of the challenges; the strengths of Huddersfield town centre, what is happening currently and examples of success; exploring how in partnership we can meet the needs of our own town. 

HCS hope that any ‘partnership’ envisaged does more than pay lip service to some of the issues and concerns raised through earlier ‘consultations’ about the town centre and that more detailed liaison and understanding regarding the aspirations of private landlords, local developers and their agents can be matched with the aspiration of HCS regarding the town’s heritage, public perception, environmental issues and accessibility.

Apologies if my next update is a little shorter than usual as I’ll be discovering the scenery, delights (and wine) of the Bordeaux area but hope to see some HCS colleagues later in September.

Best Wishes

David Wyles

HCS Chairman