Events to celebrate local history and heritage in May

We are teaming up with community groups and volunteers to celebrate people, places, local history and heritage.

A series of events will take place in May as part of the district’s WordFest, the annual celebration of words. The packed programme showcases the amazing work of local heritage groups and societies to protect and celebrate the district’s heritage. And it marks the start of a longer-term programme of showcasing the heritage of different communities across the district.

The events and festival are also part of Our Year - Wakefield District 2024. The exciting 366-day programme of physical activity, cultural and heritage activity that is taking place across the Wakefield District.

The events involve 15 local groups, at four library venues, and are free. There’s no need to book for the short lunchtime talks.

They are at:
•    Wakefield Library - Wednesday 8 May, open 11am - 4pm. Talks between 12 noon to 1pm.
•    Castleford Library - Monday 13 May, open 12 noon - 4pm. Talks between 1pm to 2pm.
•    Horbury Library - Wednesday 15 May, open 12 noon - 4pm. Talks from 1pm.
•    Pontefract Library - Friday 17 May, open 11am - 4pm. Talks from 1pm.

For information:

At Wakefield Library, chat with Wakefield Civic Society about their Discover Wakefield leaflets initiative, exploring interesting aspects of Wakefield’s architectural history.

The Friends of Waterton’s Wall will talk about the preservation of Charles Waterton’s wall surrounding the nature reserve in Walton, which was recently awarded listed building status. 

Wakefield Historical Society will share their 48 publications focusing on local history, from the building of waterways to a study of Wakefield gingerbread. 

Harrison Architectural Heritage will showcase the community-led 180 Years of Eastmoor social history project. There’s also a chance to meet the West Yorkshire Archive Service and hear more about their records, including the John Goodchild collection.

In Castleford, the Castleford Heritage Trust, who manage the historic Queen’s Mill, will be sharing exciting hidden architectural findings from the current refurbishment. 

The Friends of Castleford Library will talk about the creation of their Castleford Industrial Heritage textile artwork which is on display in the Library. 

Age UK Wakefield District will be sharing their Stories from Castleford oral histories project which captures local people’s memories about what it was like to grow up, play, work, and socialise in the area.  

Castleford Civic Society will showcase their blue and red plaque restoration and digitisation project. 

Empath Action CIC will present research on the pageants and plays of progressive headmaster Toddy Dawes, a past Headmaster at Castleford Secondary School (now Castleford Academy). 

At Horbury Library, learn more about Horbury Heritage Trust’s care and development of the Primrose Hall and their project to develop the community-owned Green Park, Horbury.  

Horbury Village Partnership will showcase their People’s Museum in the Library, a new heritage display case with objects relating to the history of Horbury. 

The Friends of Horbury Library will talk about the Horbury Community Archive of over 1,500 photographs from local residents, and their new Wakefield Council Culture Grants funded project, The Horbury Tapestry Then & Now. 

In Pontefract, the Pontefract Choral Society will tell their 150-year story, documenting their anniversary celebrations and timeline of performances.

Featherstone Rovers Foundation will share artworks and displays documenting their recent Culture Grants funded project, Pit to the Pitch, which engaged the local community and schoolchildren in local mining and rugby league heritage.

Pontefract Civic Society will talk about their work curating Pontefract’s Heritage Open Days events which have gone from strength to strength every year.

At each event, staff from Wakefield Museums and Local Studies will also be on hand to discuss their sites, collections, and answer any questions people might have about their services, volunteering and more.

This series of events is part of Our Heritage, Our Stories, a two-year project made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

Our Year – Wakefield District 2024

Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 is a partnership celebration, led by Wakefield Council. It is a year-long programme of breathtaking spectacles, unique festivals, major events, and community-led activities that celebrate all the Wakefield district has to offer.

It will be a catalyst for inward investment, a boost to the visitor economy and vitally, an opportunity for people across the district to get involved in the region’s unique culture and experience the positive role creativity plays in their community.

For further information, follow Our Year on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

 

Our Heritage, Our Stories
 
Our Heritage, Our Stories is a two-year project to transform how the Council, partners, and the community work together to increase involvement in heritage. By telling the stories of people and places.
 
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
 
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. 
 
Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.  
 
The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are. 

The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.  
 
Follow @HeritageFundUK on x/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund  www.heritagefund.org.uk

ENDS