Evening Stroll Around Marsden

Tom Lonsdale led an evening stroll around Marsden for HCS members

Twenty HCS members enjoyed our summer evening walk led by Tom Lonsdale, Chair of Marsden Community Trust.

The walk on August 10 started at the Mechanics Institute and Tom explained how the Trust was finalising the transfer of the building from Kirklees Council to the community and plans for its restoration and possible extension with the support of grant aid.

Tom’s tour then took in both the historic highlights of the village, including the canal, last remaining tenter posts – a reminder of the village’s textile past – the grave of Enoch Taylor and associations with the Luddite uprisings of the early 19th Century and opportunities relating to the future of the currently vacant Crowther Mill sites.

Tom illustrated changes which had led to the revival of the village in recent years and key opportunities in the future, including access improvements at Marsden rail station and adjacent vacant land, which had enormous potential for the development of a centre for the proposed South Pennine Park, incorporating the National Trust’s base for its Marsden Moor estate.

Marsden has become a fine example of a village which has undergone rapid change while retaining its character and incorporating a community spirit that is evidenced by the proposals for the Mechanics, work by Marsden History Group and activities such as Marden Jazz Festival.