Welcome to the Wakefield District Heritage Network newsletter. This is a regular update on heritage news and events taking place across Wakefield district, including the Our Heritage Our Stories project. If you have news or events that you would like us to share in future newsletters please let us know at: heritage@wakefield.gov.ukIf you missed the previous newsletter, you can catch up on all the news here: Wakefield District Heritage Network - July Update
|
|
|
Heritage Open Days in Wakefield District |
|
|
It’s our favourite time of year again in the heritage calendar. The summer weather may have turned a little autumnal, but Heritage Open Days are just round the corner. Have you decided what you’re going to see yet? There is so much choice across the district, as historic buildings open their doors and heritage groups put on special tours, history walks and talks, and other activities, and all for free! In this month’s newsletter we are highlighting just some of the brilliant heritage activities that are taking place during the festival. For event times and dates, and to find out more about what’s happening across Wakefield District visit the Heritage Open Days website and Experience Wakefield Please note that some events are limited numbers and need to be booked in advance. Some popular events (including guided tours of Sandal Castle, Waterton’s Wall and Ackworth School) have already sold out! Please check the websites for more details. |
|
|
|
Pontefract Museum as a Library. © Wakefield Libraries and Local Studies.
|
|
|
Visit the Art House Wakefield and see behind the scenes into the old former Wakefield Carnegie Library, now used as artist studios and workspace. The tour will point out some of the original historic features including the original book lift and the beautiful decorative tiles.
Another of the district’s former Carnegie libraries in Pontefract is celebrating its 120th birthday this year. Join Wakefield Museums for a talk on the history of the building, now home to Pontefract Museum.
|
|
|
|
Wakefield Cathedral, St Giles in Pontefract, Trinity Church in Ossett and St Peter the Apostle at Kirkthorpe are all offering special bell tower tours for heritage open days, with a chance to get a bird’s eye view of the district. St Paul’s church at Alverthorpe and St. Austin’s in Wakefield are both celebrating their 200-year anniversaries this year. St. John’s in Wakefield will also be open to the public. The beautiful grade 2* listed Wakefield Unitarian Chapel, designed by renowned Georgian architect John Carr, is offering guided tours of the chapel and burial ground, and the unique Wakefield Chantry Chapel (Wakefield’s Chapel on the Bridge) will also be open during both weekends of the festival.
|
|
|
|
|
|
New to this year’s festival, Beccy Dye from Story Trails has created a new series of story walks. Beccy has been researching folk tales and legends with community groups and Civic Societies across the district. She has turned these local stories into engaging guided walks exploring folktales, history and legends of 7 different places in the district. The walks will delight children and adults alike and take place throughout the festival in Wakefield, Pontefract, Castleford, Ossett, Hemsworth, South Elmsall and Sandal. Places are limited so please book in advance. Supported by Wakefield Council Culture Grants and the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of Our Heritage, Our Stories.
|
|
|
|
Castleford are joining the festival this year, with lots happening in and around the town centre. This includes the launch of the new Roman Castleford Uncovered digital experience at Queen's Mill and Castleford Museum, tours of Castleford Parish Church (with the chance to see three stunning wooden statues carved by renowned artist John Skeaping) and guided walks of Castleford Cemetery and the historic potteries with Castleford Civic Society and the Castleford Heritage Trust. The Hong Kong community are also putting on a series of free cultural events at the Salvation Army Hall on Booth Street.
|
|
|
Castleford Cemetery Trail
|
|
|
|
St Giles Church, Pontefract
|
|
|
There is always plenty to do in Pontefract during Heritage Open Days, and this year is no different. From walking tours of the historic Pontefract Park and Friarwood Valley Gardens, history tours of the town centre and local history talks (in person and online) hosted by Pontefract Civic Society, to family activities at Pontefract Museum and Castle and guided tours of St Giles, Pontefract Town Hall and Assembly Rooms and Pontefract Masonic Lodge. The historic Pontefract Choral Society, founded in 1874, are also hosting a free 45-minute taster concert at Pontefract Town Hall featuring a variety of choral music.
|
|
|
|
HODs in Wakefield City Centre
|
|
|
|
There is plenty to do in and around Wakefield City Centre during Heritage Open Days. To celebrate this year’s festival theme of architecture, Wakefield Exchange is hosting an exhibition of the Wakefield Civic Society’s architectural photographic competition and the competition prize night. There are behind the scenes tours of the West Yorkshire History Centre, where thousands of documents relating to the history of the district are looked after. You can explore the history of Westgate, Wood Street and Wakefield Town Hall, and the city centre art and sculpture trail with Wakefield Civic Society, climb the tallest church spire in Yorkshire, at Wakefield Cathedral, visit the beautiful grade 2*listed St John the Baptist Church, and join the Mental Health Museum for a fascinating history walk around the site of the former Stanley Royd mental health hospital.
|
|
|
Wakefield Civic Society walk. Photo by David Lindsay Photography.
|
|
|
|
Pontefract Castle and Sit and Sketch
|
Wakefield Museums and Castles are hosting a programme of events during the festival including sit and sketch Sundays, explorer tours and other free family activities at Pontefract Castle, and Roman Castleford Uncovered at Castleford Museum.
Many of the district’s independent museums are also offering tours and activities during Heritage Open Days, including the Gissing Museum in Wakefield (in the former home of writer George Gissing), the Elizabeth Love Museum in Pontefract (newly opened this year opposite the entrance to Pontefract Castle) and the brilliant Mental Health Museum at Fieldhead Hospital.
The Mental Health Museum is also hosting performances from ‘All in Your Head’, a production created by participants of the Humanising Mental Health project, a partnership scheme by Yew Tree Arts, SPARK Youth Arts Ambassadors and Empath Theatre CIC. This project compared contemporary experiences of mental health with stories from the past researched at the Museum. |
|
|
|
New Wakefield HODs webpage
|
|
|
Following feedback from local groups delivering HOD events last year, we hosted a Heritage Open Days information event earlier in July. For anybody who missed that, we have created a new Heritage Open Days webpage for organisers in Wakefield district, with useful links and advice on things like how to market and evaluate your events. For further guidance, and to register events, please visit the national Heritage Open Days website.
Visit the new page here: Heritage Open Days (HODs) in Wakefield district - Wakefield Council
|
|
|
Photo by David Lindsay Photography.
|
|
|
|
You're Invited: Heritage Network Launch & Community Feedback Session
|
|
|
Join us at the iconic Pontefract Castle for the official launch of the Wakefield District Heritage Network - a new initiative designed to connect, support, and celebrate heritage groups across our region.This special evening will unveil the findings from our recent community consultation, led by West Yorkshire design agency Buttercrumble, who will present their research and recommendations for shaping the network. Their insights are based on feedback from heritage organisations and individuals across the district, and will guide the network’s development over the next 9 months.Whether you are part of a heritage group, a local history enthusiast, or simply passionate about preserving Wakefield’s rich cultural legacy, we’d love to see you there. There is also an option to watch the presentation online if you cannot attend in person (although you won’t be able to join the discussion in real time).This event is part of the Our Heritage, Our Stories project, proudly funded by Wakefield Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund - with thanks to National Lottery players for making it possible.Thursday 11th September, 6-8pm (Doors open at 5:45PM) - Pontefract Castle, WF8 1QH
For more information and to book your free place: Heritage Network launch and community feedback session at Pontefract Castle event tickets from TicketSource
|
|
|
Share your memories of Pontefract Hermitage and Dispensary |
|
|
|
Pontefract Dispensary Illustration, 1892
|
Do you have any memories, photographs or stories of the Pontefract Hermitage and Dispensary? Did you work at the hospital, or were you a patient in the Dispensary building? We would love to hear from you.
Pontefract Dispensary was built in 1880 to serve the working people of Pontefract. It was funded by subscription and was built in the garden of a 14th century hermitage. The new building incorporated the hermitage itself, which had been carved into the rock of the hillside overlooking what is now Valley Gardens. Over the next century the dispensary served the people of Pontefract as a hospital. It was gradually extended and eventually became part of Pontefract General Infirmary. The Dispensary building was closed in 2011.
As part of the Our Stories project, working in partnership with One To One Development Trust, Wakefield Council is launching an exciting new digital project to record and share the hidden story of this unique and important heritage site. The project is supported by the Pontefract Civic Society and Pontefract Heritage Partnership.
Drop in to share your stories at Pontefract Museum on Saturday 20 September or get in touch with us at heritage@wakefield.gov.uk The drop-in event is part of this year’s Heritage Open Days.
Drop-in event 11am-2.30pm 20 September at Pontefract Museum - Event information: Pontefract Dispensary and Hermitage story share |
Wakefield Museums and Castles Youth Forum Call Out |
|
Wakefield Museums and Castles Youth Forum
|
Wakefield Museums and Castles are currently looking for new members to join their successful Youth Forum.  They’re looking for 16 to 25 year-olds to help make our museums, castles and local heritage more engaging and accessible to young people.   
The Youth Forum take part in monthly sessions to discuss and explore lots of different topics, enjoy creative activities and research trips, and get to know each other.  It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and share ideas, feedback and perspectives. The young people also gain valuable skills, experiences and confidence. Plus they get exclusive access behind the scenes!
The Museums team are hoping new members will be able to join the Forum from September and the first session will be Saturday 20th September. If you’re aged 16-25 and would like to get involved or if you know anyone who might be interested, please email museums@wakefield.gov.uk  for more details and information on how to apply. 
Deadline for expressions of interest is 9am, Monday 8th September.
For more information, please see Wakefield Museums and Castles: Youth Forum and hear from current members on why young people should join them: Youth Forum Facebook Video. |
|
|
Heritage Funding & Support |
|
|
|
New Heritage Fund Video Guidance
|
Got an idea for a heritage project but not sure where to start? The National Lottery heritage Fund's have a new video guidance on 'how to apply for £10,000–£250,000 funding for a heritage project'.
Watch to get a better understanding of the resources they have to support, hear examples of how to take the Heritage Fund's investment principles into account, get a step-by-step tour through the application form and learn top tips to give your grant bid the best chance of success.
The video is based on the Heritage Fund's popular bimonthly Helping you apply webinars and gives you on-demand access to Heritage Fund expertise and inspiration from grantees who’ve been there and done it before.
Watch the video on the Heritage Fund website: how to apply for £10,000–£250,000 funding for a heritage project | The National Lottery Heritage Fund
|
|
|
|
Heritage Network UK - September Heritage Toolbox Sessions
|
|
|
|
Courtesy of Heritage Network
|
|
|
The national Heritage Network have three more upcoming Heritage Toolbox skills masterclasses in September, for heritage, community and creative groups across Wakefield district.Sessions will cover making your work more inclusive and becoming more financially and environmentally sustainable:
- Everyone Belongs: Inclusive Practice in Heritage Spaces - 10 September, 4pm - Online
- Who’s Missing?: Diversifying Heritage Audiences - 18 September, 4pm - Online
- Energy Efficient Heritage: Saving Power, Preserving Place - 24 September, 4pm - Online
Book a free place through Eventbrite: Heritage Toolbox by Heritage Network | Eventbrite Part of the You Can Make It Here programme and delivered by community heritage experts from the Heritage Network and Locality.
|
|
|
We want to hear your heritage news!
Have you got some exciting heritage news you would like to share? If you have an article you would like us to consider for the next heritage e-news please send a short description (2 paragraphs maximum) and an image by Monday 15 September to heritage@wakefield.gov.uk |
|
|
|
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The Wakefield District Heritage Network is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players.
|
|
|
|
|
