This is latest newsletter of Calderdale Heritage Walks:
SUPPORT SO FAR THIS SUMMER.
New walks in particular have attracted above average support thus far and several others have also been very well supported. That’s very gratifying – especially as it has hardly been ‘Glorious Summer Weather’ for much of the time since the summer programme started in April. Our first visit to Dobroyd Castle comes on August 2nd and it was expected to be popular though numbers had to be restricted because of site limitations. As it transpired, all available tickets were sold in the first 6 days after bookings opened at the end of June !! We’ll have to talk nicely to the owners and see if a repeat is possible next year.
STILL TO COME
The ‘summer’ programme continues to late October and in that period there are 3 new walks – one being the
Dobroyd walk (now fully booked, see above). The other two are at Meadowbottom in Todmorden, and “Calico, Courts and Quakers” on the south side of Halifax. Additionally, there are 2 walks in the Heptonstall area and one centered on North Bridge in Halifax to come which have been extensively revised this year.
Other popular walks being repeated are at: Mytholmroyd, Soyland, Wainstalls, Cragg Vale, The Wainhouse Trail,
Clifton’s railway, Hebden Bridge, a Pellon to Wellesley Park circuit, Upper Rastrick, and finally, “Dark Halifax” on 25 Oct. Full details on the website, as always – http://www.CalderdaleHeritageWalks.org.uk
STARTING POINTS
We recently received a query about carparking near the start of a walk. Our policy is that, wherever possible, our starting points are located where parking is normally available nearby. But we don’t have space in the programmes to give detailed information about carparks for each walk. Being realistic, external forces over which we have no control can mean that occasionally there is not as much space as expected. We also fix our start points so they are served by public transport wherever possible.
THE PIECE HALL AND LIBRARY SCHEMES
The ‘Powers-that-be’ have announced that it is planned to open the re-vamped Halifax Piece Hall sometime in mid 2016. Calderdale’s Archives and Library functions are also scheduled to move into their new premises nearby during next year. The Industrial Museum which adjoins both sites has been very much affected by all the building activity around them, but the separate group which now runs that museum are hoping they will be able to open on a more frequent basis once building work is completed.
‘HERITAGE OPEN DAYS’
Watch out for press and other announcements regarding local buildings which will be open to the public on 10/13 September. There’s a national ‘Heritage Open Days’ website which gives more details.
LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES
Typically this is a quieter period for these groups, though some have excursions during the summer. The local history societies tend to start their programmes of talks in mid/ late Sept. Look out for details then.
WINTER WALKS
Preliminary ideas are already being considered. The process accelerates from mid August and ultimately results in a new winter programme which goes into circulation in the second week of October.
PRIVATE PARTY WALKS
Between them, our Guides have a repertoire of well over 100 walks and those cover most areas of Calderdale. So if a group with which you are involved could be interested in a private heritage walk for its members, do email us for more details. We are at: CdaleHeritageWks@aol.com.
