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 - October News
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Wakefield District Heritage Network Group Launched
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Age UK Wakefield - Stories from Castleford heritage showcase. Photo by Nick Singleton
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The Wakefield District Heritage Network has recently launched with community groups in the heritage sector. The groups have been involved in consultations over the last year to discuss how a network could look for the district and they continue to shape the group as it will grow in coming months. The Network is for people actively involved in heritage activities (of all kinds) across Wakefield district. It offers training and information sharing opportunities to members. It is also a chance to connect with others involved in heritage activities in your local area. To find out more, read the Network Code of Conduct, and sign up to be a member, visit: Wakefield District Heritage Network
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Come along to a local area Heritage Network meeting!
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These gatherings are a fantastic opportunity to:
- Connect with other heritage groups and passionate individuals
- Share your news, updates, and ideas
- Ask for support or offer help to others in the community
There are two exciting meetings coming up in Castleford and Wakefield:
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Castleford Heritage Network Meeting
Tuesday 25 November - Castleford Methodist Church, Powell Street
Arrive from 6pm for a 6.30pm start. This meeting follows the Castleford Christmas Lights Switch-On - why not make an evening of it? The event is kindly supported by Castleford Civic Society.
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Wakefield Heritage Network MeetingWednesday 26 November - The Art House, Drury LaneArrive from 6pm for a 6.30pm start. It’s the same night as the Wakefield Artwalk (starting at 5pm) and there are lots of great things happening in the city centre, including the opening of three new displays at Wakefield Museum. More information found on the Wakefield Artwalk website. This event is kindly supported by the Wakefield Civic Society.
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Historic England have published their annual Heritage At Risk register for 2025. This is a list of Grade 1 and Grade 2* buildings, scheduled ancient monuments, conservation areas, historic parks, battlefields and wrecks that are considered to be in a poor or declining state and are at risk of loss or damage. There have been no new sites added for Wakefield district this year, but we still have a number of At Risk sites, including Wakefield Crown Court, Lupset Hall and Horbury Hall. Renovation work has recently started on Wakefield Crown Court, which should hopefully result in it being removed from the At Risk Register when the work is complete. Twelve sites have been removed from the register across Yorkshire this year. |
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Crown Court, Wakefield. Photo by John Graham
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Annual Museum Survey 2025
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Museum Development England’s Annual Museum Survey 2025 reviewed 692 UK museums and found:
- Visitor numbers have returned to pre-COVID levels, up 29% from last year
- Volunteer numbers have risen 39% since 2024
- 47% of museums report increased income, though rising costs remain a concern
- 67% feel positive about the year ahead, citing strong engagement, confidence in plans, and financial stability
Read the full report online: Annual Museum Survey 2025
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New research explores young people’s engagement in museums
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A child enjoying the displays at Pontefract Museum. Photo by Nick Singleton
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A new report commissioned by Arts Council England has analysed the important role that museums play in the lives of children and young people, how and why they engage with museums, and the impact this has. Headline findings include:
- Just over half (52%) of children aged 0-15 had visited a museum in the last year
- 37% of children aged 11-15 reported visiting museums to spend time with family or friends
- Despite important work by museums, barriers remain for some children and young people in accessing museums - most commonly money (38%) and time (36%)
- Children in London were the most likely to have visited a museum (63%) - with the lowest engagement being in the West Midlands (39%).
Discover further findings in the full report: Children and young people in museums
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Pride of Place – new Government strategy recognises importance of community heritage
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Volunteers showcasing their heritage in Horbury. Photo by Nick Singleton
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The government has released its new Pride in Place strategy which states how they will build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people. The strategy covers a range of topics and focus areas, including celebrating our communities and heritage (paragraphs 65-71).
The strategy states that "strong communities love where they live and take pride in the cultural assets they share. They come together to celebrate their unique heritage and recognise their community heroes. We understand the value of recognising our places and the key role this plays in restoring dignity and instilling a shared pride in communities."
Access the full Strategy on the Gov.uk website: Pride in Place Strategy
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Heritage Funding & Support |
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New online platform to help community events organisers
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Tour at the Elizabeth Love Museum, Pontefract. Photo by Nick Singleton
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Are you involved in organising community events? Do you need support in demonstrating value for money to funders? Belong, the cohesion and integration network, have launched a new interactive digital learning platform and social value estimator to help community event organisers to plan socially inclusive activities, and estimate the social value of the work you do. The platform is free to use and includes training videos on designing and delivering socially inclusive events, and the free social value estimator with helpful tips on how to use it.Find out more at: www.belongnetwork.co.uk/power-of-events-learning-resources
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West Yorkshire History Centre archive store. Photo by Nick Singleton
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The Spaces, Places and Belonging: Community Hub is a new programme for communities across the UK led by The National Archives (TNA), in partnership with Leeds Museums & Galleries, the National Library of Wales, and the Community Archives & Heritage Group. The programme supports UK GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) and heritage sectors in making heritage engagement more sustainable and accessible.
Through Seed Corn Grants (£500–£5,000), the programme is funding early-stage, exploratory projects that aim to spark new ideas and innovative approaches to community engagement with heritage. Two application rounds are running in Sept–Nov 2025 and Feb–Apr 2026. Grants are available to community groups, GLAM, and other heritage organisations working with communities. TNA particularly encourage applications from smaller and grassroots groups.To find out more and apply, visit: TNA Seed Corn Grants
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The Radcliffe Trust Funding for Heritage & Crafts
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Friends of Waterton's Wall group at a community walking event. Photo by Nick Singleton
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The Radcliffe Trust is offering grants averaging £2,500–£7,500 to UK charities, not-for-profit groups, and exempt organisations for projects in heritage and crafts. Funding supports skill development and knowledge in traditional crafts, including training for emerging craftspeople, craft and conservation projects, designer-maker initiatives, sector capacity building, and therapeutic projects using craft skills. There are two funding rounds annually, with trustee meetings in June and December. The next deadline is 31 January 2026. Eligible applicants must be UK-based and focused on sustaining cultural heritage and craft traditions.For more information, visit: www.theradcliffetrust.org/guidelines
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Artist Talk: A River Journey with Annie Harrison
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Saturday 29 November, 2pm-3pm Castleford Museum
Join artist Annie Harrison for an engaging talk about her ‘Ebb and Flow‘ display at Castleford Museum. Discover her artist’s journey from Mytholmroyd to Hull
In 2021 – 2022, artist Annie Harrison walked from her home in in West Yorkshire to Hull in East Yorkshire. Following the river network, the walk took her along the Calder and Aire through Castleford. Along the way, Annie collected plants, stories and impressions. She created artworks inspired by the landscape she encountered. In this artist talk discover how the idea came about, and what Annie learnt on the journey. Hear about the different artistic processes she used and see examples of her work as it developed.
This talk is free and suitable for ages 16+ - Book your space online: Ticket Source - Wakefield Museums and Castles
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Annie Harrison with her Ebb and Flow display at Castleford Museum
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Chai and Chat at West Yorkshire History Centre
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South Asian Heritage event at West Yorkshire History Centre. Photo by Tatiana Hepplewhite.
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Thursday 4 December, 10am-12 noon
West Yorkshire History Centre, WF1 1JG
Part of the Our Heritage, Our Stories South Asian Heritage project. Join members of the West Yorkshire Archive Service, Wakefield Museums and Libraries teams for a relaxed morning looking at collections and sharing stories connected to South Asian heritage in Wakefield over a cup of delicious chai.
Free - All welcome!
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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 Friday 12 December 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 UK’s heritage. The Wakefield District Heritage Network is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players.
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