Kirklees Together

This year’s Local Community and History Month is packed with exhibitions, events, and activities throughout May and June, enabling people in Kirklees to discover the past in new and interesting ways.

An open day on Saturday 25^th May 10am-3pm at the Kirklees Local Studies Library and West Yorkshire Archive Services will showcase collections for local history buffs to explore and staff will be on hand to showcase online resources. All are welcome at the Victoria Lane premises in Huddersfield where visitors can also browse original documents relating to Kirklees’ rich and diverse heritage and for the super dedicated, there will be an opportunity to go behind the scenes and tour our strongroom. 

Visitors can also view the latest British Library Living Knowledge Network exhibition, Beyond the Bassline – a free display panel that shines a spotlight on different voices and perspectives to celebrate Black British music. The panel display documents 500 years of Black music in Britain and explores the people, places, and genres that have formed a British soundtrack. It highlights music as a form of entertainment and vehicle for community, as well as a source of liberation, protest, and education, and spotlight clubs, carnivals, and community hubs from across the country that have cultivated creative expression and inspired a number of Black British music genres.

Also on 25^th May, Holmfirth Library will be commemorating the 80^th anniversary of the Whit Monday 1944 Flood with the launch of a new walking trail. The Holme Valley is a wonderful part of the Pennine landscape but the steep hills, soft water streams, and Holme River have been the cause of past drama and tragedy.  The new walking trail follows key locations along the route of the 1944 Flood and helps to explain what occurred on that fateful day.  A series of events and activities will follow the launch, further details can be found on Creative Kirklees.

Richard Parry, Strategic Director for Adults and Health said:

“Local Community and History Month represents a timely opportunity to broaden our horizons and commemorate key events that took place in our borough. I welcome this chance to recognise people who have inspired us, contributed to society, and continue to make our local communities such an inclusive, rich and diverse place to live.

Our library service has organised some brilliant activities and as well as being great fun, these events give people the opportunity to improve their understanding of local culture and history. They also provide a vital resource for local partners, students and other educational organisations to support academic and personal research projects. Whatever your interests, I would encourage you to take a trip down memory lane and see what you can find.”