HCS members’ update late March 2023
Woodsome Hall. Photo by Tony Hisgett. There will be a talk about Woodsome in mid April.
First an important reminder that our annual general meeting is coming up and will be held over the internet.Tuesday, March 28, 7pm to 8.30pm. HCS AGM (by Zoom)
Below is the link for joining the AGM. We, the Executive Committee of HCS, hope you will be able to attend. You should have recently received an agenda and papers including my report as Chair and Michael Barron’s treasurer’s report.
Following the AGM, which should last no longer than 30 to 45 minutes, we will be allocating a similar amount of time for members to ask their questions about our work and initiatives, projects affecting the town centre and suburbs and other issues people may wish to raise.
https://iso.zoom.us/j/2463569858?pwd=UTBwWmJwTjcvTU5zNi9CR0dCcWNQdz09
Events
Tuesday April 18, 2023, 7pm to 8.30pm at Woodsome Hall Golf Club.
The Women and Men who made Woodsome: from Baldwin Tyas in 1236 to Elizabeth Kaye in 1726.
I hope you received details of this evening talk by Philip Sands. Over 20 people have already booked but a few places remain.
If you would like to attend contact Sylvia Johnson by email at or by phone on 07910 729381.
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 7pm to 8.30pm at New North Road Baptist Church, New North Parade Huddersfield HD1 5JU
Peter Womersley, Architect, 1923 -1993. Talk: ‘The Best House in Britain’
When asked which was the best house in Britain Sir Basil Spence, the architect of Coventry Cathedral, replied: “Any house designed by Peter Womersley.”
Starting with his very first house, Farnley Hey at Farnley Tyas, near Huddersfield, the house that made Womersley famous overnight, this lecture will explore Womersley’s architecture, moving from houses to medical and government buildings, sports stadia and office buildings, including the Midland Bank (HSBC) in Huddersfield.
The lecture will be given by Neil Jackson, Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Liverpool, an architect and a historian of 19th and 2oth century architecture, and coincides with the publication by the Twentieth Century Society, Historic England and Liverpool University Press, of the first book on Peter Womersley written by the speaker.
Bookings can now be made via Eventbrite using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peter-womersley-1923-1993-architect-talk-the-best-house-in-britain-tickets-593311940987?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_content=shortLinkNewEmail
Discover Huddersfield Walks’ Programme 2023
As indicated in my last update, the 2023 Discover Walks’ programme is now available with 15 walks between April 20 and the end of October. For full booking details of the walks via Eventbrite go to: bit.ly/42gClji
Bookings can be made up to 14 days before each walk.
Huddersfield Blueprint
Some HCS members may have read the Spring 2023 Huddersfield Blueprint Newsletter published by Kirklees Council in Kirklees Together. It’s a very useful summary of the key projects and their progress. To read this issue go to: https://kirkleestogether.co.uk/2023/03/09/the-huddersfield-blueprint-newsletter/
Members may also have noted that approval was given for the Cultural Heart development on March 2. Construction of the first phase of the scheme is set to get underway in Spring 2024. Initial works will concentrate on the major refurbishments of the historic Queensgate Market as well as the creation of a brand-new outdoor public square.
The HCS Executive Committee, while broadly supporting the key elements of the proposals, continue to have concerns about various elements of the development, particularly in relation to parking provision, future maintenance of outdoor space and loss of retail floorspace, as outlined in detailed comments submitted and available to read in the HCS website Planning pages.
Planning Applications
Applications 2022/93964 and 2022/93895: 17-33a John William Street
I am delighted to say that the planning applications for shopfront improvements along John William Street, specifically numbers 17 -33a, have now been approved. The very poor standard of upkeep and level of illegal signage along this section of the street was highlighted over 10 years ago and for those coming from the station and out of St George’s Square, must have given a very negative perception of the town.
HCS’s formal comments regarding the proposals stated: “The Civic Society welcomes this long overdue improvement to shop frontages along John William Street and hopes the work will encourage other applications of a similar standard to be submitted and implemented.”