As part of Heritage Open Days Festival, the Kirklees Council is opening up our local heritage with a series of events, walks and tours throughout the district. The events would be held from 9 to 18 September.
The council has teamed up with Historic England to deliver a variety of events in the Dewsbury Heritage Action Zone. The Action Zone is five-year partnership, now in its final year, between Kirklees Council and Historic England aims to celebrate the town’s rich architectural, social and industrial history.
There are lots of events taking place with some picking up on this year’s Heritage Open Days’ ‘Astounding Inventions’ theme. These include the chance to find out more about Dewsbury’s pioneers of computer science at the railway station where you can also find a textile-themed Snowdog.
There will also be tours of Dewsbury Minster, Pioneer Higher Skills Centre and the Arcade. One can also take the Beeline Trail and have a go at sketching the town’s listed buildings.
In Huddersfield the conservation and renovation work on the historic George Hotel will be revealed in an evening presentation. There will also be walks to explore the town’s Modernist architecture and Heritage Mile. Then 20 costumed dancers will celebrate the Windrush Generation in St. George’s Square. The Grade 1 listed station will also be offering tours for the first time.
Back in Dewsbury, WOVEN in Kirklees would present the INTERWOVEN exhibition that explores the story of shoddy and mungo, its relevance to environmental issues in the present day textile industry and the contribution of the South Asian population to its success, with accompanying sustainability and South Asian textile workshops.
Shoddy and mungo is the inspiration for a new piece of public art that will be unveiled on Union Street, Dewsbury in early September. Visitors are encouraged to combine a trip to see it with a visit to the Union Street Craft Fair on Saturday 10 September. The fair offers the chance to try out some heritage textile techniques as well as shop for locally made craft.
Other historic and unique buildings available to visit include Lindley Clock Tower, and Holmfirth’s Owd Towser. Things take on a greener shade with Kirkburton’s energy efficient Passivhaus. For garden lovers there is a chance to explore the seven acres at Paddock Farm in Slaithwaite, and to discover ‘allotments, orchards, dikes and shrogs’ in Birkby.
The festival also includes a range of the district’s historic churches, and coincides with the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust’s Churches Day on 10 September. Dewsbury Minster founded in 627AD will reveal its Anglo-Saxon relics, tower tours and links with the Brontës.
As well as the key Anglican churches across the district, visitors can discover quirkier gems such as Holy Spirit Church in Heckmondwike, Our Lady of Unfailing Help and St. Paul Church, Cleckheaton. There are also chances to see the Quaker Meeting Houses at Wooldale and High Flatts. Visitors can also check out the Providence Methodist Church in Golcar and an Arts and Crafts Baptist Church in Birkby, now the Vajrapani Kadampa Meditation Centre for Buddhists.
In total there are 77 events taking place in Kirklees, so plenty for history lovers to enjoy.
All venues and events are free to attend, although some need to be booked in advance due to limited capacity
Chair of Kirklees Heritage Open Days Committee, David Griffiths said, “This year’s programme offers a most amazing choice for all age-groups and interests. It offers a unique opportunity to discover some of Kirklees’ finest locations, and, above all, it’s free for everyone.”
Image: Kirklees Council
Cllr Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said, “Innovation is as much a part of our past as it will be our future. Our ancestors were pioneers and adapted to the changing world by developing new industries that brought prosperity and growth. Important things to consider as we look to the future and prepare for new ways of living and working in our towns and villages. Our heritage will continue to play an important part in our future plans and I am delighted that weekends like these give us chance to take time to celebrate our history and the buildings the made our towns and villages the fantastic places they are.”
