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 - Heritage Open Days!
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New Conservation Area Consultations
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HSBC on Bank Street, Castleford
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Wakefield Council is consulting on two proposed new conservation areas:
- Felkirk / Hodroyd Village (near South Hiendley)
- Bank Street, Bradley Street & Wesley Street in Castleford
These are the first new conservation areas proposed since 2006, driven by local passion and research from the Felkirk Heritage Group and Castleford Civic Society, working closely with council conservation officers. Join a local consultation meeting to learn more and share your views:
- Felkirk / Hodroyd: Saturday 1 November, 12.30â1.30pm - Elizabethan School Room, next to St Peterâs Church, Felkirk
- Castleford: Thursday 13 November, 6.15â7.30pm - Trinity Methodist Church, Powell Street, WF10 1EL
These sessions will give local residents and others the opportunity to find out more about the proposals, ask questions and share their thoughts. The Council is also reviewing existing conservation areas in Ossett and Horbury. Consultation runs until 27 November - comments can be made online: 2025 Conservation Area Review - Public Consultation - Wakefield Council |
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Cllr Natalie Walton, Deputy Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Sport, and Wakefield Heritage Champion
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This yearâs Heritage Open Days was the biggest yet across Wakefield district, with many events fully booked. Even though the second weekend of the festival was very rainy, it didnât stop people coming out in their thousands to visit the many wonderful heritage buildings and activities that were on offer across the district.We are still collecting feedback and visitor numbers from local organisers. If you havenât shared your data with us yet and would be happy to do so, please email us at heritage@wakefield.gov.ukAs part of the Our Heritage, Our Stories project, we also launched three new illustrated heritage trails during HODs, in collaboration with the Castleford, Wakefield and Pontefract Civic Societies. Created by local design agency Buttercrumble, the trails are accessible to all and leaflets are available at each townâs museum. For opening hours, please check the Museums and Castles website.
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National Archives launches new handling guidance
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The National Archives has launched a new guidance section on its website on the safe handling of historic documents. Although primarily focussed on documents in the care of the National Archives, the guidance is a useful starting point for any groups or individuals who care for historic documents of any sort â from manuscripts and parchment to books, paper letters and historic photographs. Thereâs even a section on some of the hazardous materials that you might find in an archive!
Find out more: Handling documents - The National Archives
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Letters stored in The National Archives © The National Archives
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport reshuffle
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport building
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There have been some recent changes to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (the Government department responsible for supporting heritage, museums, archives and libraries, amongst many other things). Former DCMS Minister Chris Bryant has moved to the Department of Business and Trade. Baroness Fiona Twycross has taken over the brief for museums and cultural property, as well as heritage, libraries and the National Archives, becoming Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling. Former Scotland Secretary Ian Murray was appointed Minister of State for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, and Stephanie Peacock (MP for Barnsley South) remains as Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth.
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Roman Castleford Uncovered
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Roman Castleford Uncovered during Roman Castleford Festival 2025
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Last month saw the launch of an exciting new digital platform promoting the unique Roman story of Castleford. As part of the Our Heritage, Our Stories project, One to One Development Trust have been working with local groups including Castleford Civic Society and Castleford Heritage Trust, and the Wakefield Museums and Castles team, to find new ways to explore and share Castlefordâs important Roman heritage using digital technology.
The new platform includes drone footage of the town showing where the Roman settlement was, and an opportunity to explore Castlefordâs Roman fort digitally âdigâ for objects from the museumâs Roman collection.Try it out for yourself online!: Roman Castleford: Uncovered - Wakefield Museums and CastlesYou can also watch a new short film about some of the community-led heritage work that has been happening in Castleford over recent months. Created by Wakefield filmmaker Nick Singleton, with thanks to Castleford Civic Society and Castleford Heritage Trust. The digital platform and film have both been made possible with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
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Castleford Roman Festival 2025 Film:
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Charlie Williams footballer, on stage dressed in royal regalia with a spear. At the party to celebrate his MBE. Image courtesy of Barnsley Museums and Archives
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October is Black History Month! Black History Month is a month-long celebration of British people with African and Caribbean backgrounds. It has been running since 1987, and each year the celebrations are centred on a different theme, to reflect, honour and celebrate Black British History. The theme in 2025 is 'Standing Firm in Power and Pride', split into 6 focus areas; 'their service, our history' (celebrating black men and women who have served in the British armed forces); 'pride in our roots'; 'power in protest'; 'truth to power'; 'standing firm in Parliament' and 'creativity, courage and change'.
Find out more about Black History Month 2025
Discover Wakefield Museums and Castles' 'Black History' blog section which pays tribute to Black lives and stories from Wakefield district: Black history - Wakefield Museums and Castles |
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Heritage Funding & Support |
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Heritage Funding Directory
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The Heritage Alliance and The Architectural Heritage Fund have launched an updated and expanded platform for the Heritage Funding Directory.
This new website provides links and information for over 400 potential sources of funding for heritage projects, along with case studies and helpful guides to help heritage organisations looking for funding, including resources for charities, not-for-profit organisations and commercial businesses.Search the Heritage Funding Directory: Heritage Funding Directory
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Heritage Funding Directory
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Historic England Free Carbon Footprint Training
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Historic England are offering free training sessions for heritage groups on how to measure and reduce your carbon footprint. The training is aimed at groups who are working towards following the Greenhouse Gas principles. The online sessions are 2 hours and there are multiple dates available between October to December 2025.
To find out more and book a space, visit: How to measure a Carbon Footprint Workshop Tickets | TryBooking United Kingdom
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Wakefield and District Family History Society Talk
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The next WDFHS talk in November will focus on researching family history through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Archives. Find out how you can research casualties and what is included in the records, as well as how to access the Commission Archives both in person and digitally. It is possible to join the meeting remotely. Saturday 1 November, 10.30am - Outwood Memorial Hall (non-members welcome)Please check the societyâs website for more details: Meetings â Wakefield & District Family History Society
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Our Stories at Wakefield Historical Society
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Wakefield Councilâs Heritage Development Manager, Dr. Tegwen Roberts, will be joining the Wakefield Historical Society in November to talk about the Our Heritage Our Stories project and give an update on recent community-led heritage work across Wakefield district, including Roman heritage in Castleford, Heritage Open Days, South Asian Heritage, Civic Artworks and the proposed new conservation areas in Castleford and Felkirk (South Hiendley).
Wednesday 12 November, 7pm - West Yorkshire History Centre, Wakefield. Non-members welcome (ÂŁ2 entry fee). Hot drinks available.
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Wakefield Museums & Castles Autumn 2025
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Polonia Wakefield - The Wall at Create Café, Wakefield One
Throughout Autumn 2026
Visit Create CafĂ© this autumn to discover a snapshot of Wakefieldâs proud Polish community. Enjoy exclusive new portraits by local photographer, Mark Newton, and discover the sittersâ stories. Meet the champion boxer, the antiques shop owner, the dentist, the beautician, and more. See how theyâve made Wakefield their home and find out about the huge contribution they make to the cultural life of the district. The fantastic portraits will be added to the Wakefield Museums and Castles permanent collection, helping to preserve and share the story of the local Polish community for future generations.
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Polonia Wakefield exhibition portrait. Photography by Mark Newton
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Walton Hall paper recreation by Andy Singleton. A World of Good exhibition at Wakefield Museum
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A World of Good - Wakefield Museum
From Autumn 2026
Discover a new exhibition at Wakefield Museum this autumn! In the 1800s, the naturalist and environmental campaigner, Charles Waterton (1782 -1865) set out to do âa world of good.â He campaigned against pollution, protected wildlife, and created the worldâs first nature park at his home at Walton Hall. Find out more about his pioneering conservation work. Discover how his ideas are still important today as we face a climate crisis. Admire an intricate recreation of the nature park, carefully crafted by Wakefield-based paper artist, Andy Singleton, and enjoy an exclusive soundscape with Watertonâs words introduced by Sir David Attenborough and brought to life by Michael Palin.
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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 17 November to heritage@wakefield.gov.uk |
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Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UKâs heritage. The Wakefield District Heritage Network is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players.
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