Huddersfield celebrates 150 years of civic pride
Kirklees Council and many other local organisations are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the borough of Huddersfield. It’s part of a rich democratic heritage in Kirklees that we can be proud of today. There will be a series of public events and activities to take part in, and citizens can learn more about Huddersfield’s civic heritage through exhibitions, publications and online resources.
Get involved: Huddersfield 150
Huddersfield 150: The Exhibition
Opens at 12 noon on Saturday 7 July 2018
Heritage Quay, University of Huddersfield
The celebrations begin at 12 noon on 7 July 2018 with the opening of ‘Huddersfield 150: The Exhibition’ at Heritage Quay, featuring treasures from the collections of West Yorkshire Archive Service (Kirklees).
The event includes an afternoon of free family activities to mark exactly 150 years since the founding of the borough, with crafts, creative writing and drama workshops for children aged 8 to 13.
The Mayor of Kirklees and local councillors will attend the event, and representatives of local history groups will be on hand to give a series of short talks about the pioneering years of Huddersfield Corporation. Admission is free and the exhibition will be open daily until 4 November 2018.
Huddersfield 150 website
Huddersfield was granted a Royal Charter to set up a borough council on 7 July 1868. This was a crucial part of Huddersfield’s development into an industrial powerhouse and the largest town in the North. From health and sanitation to transport, utilities and democracy, it lit the touchpaper of civic pride and expansion.
Anniversary book: Making up for Lost Time
Huddersfield Local History Society have created an anniversary book: “Making up for Lost Time: The Pioneering Years of Huddersfield Corporation”, which is available to buy at the Huddersfield 150 exhibition opening or online. It explores the priorities, politics and the personalities of Huddersfield Corporation’s first half century.
Huddersfield Local History Society – publications
Huddersfield 150 anniversary walks
Sunday 8 July 2018
Discover Huddersfield have organised two anniversary walks. In the morning, local historian David Griffiths will lead a tour of key landmarks of civic initiative. Participants should meet on the Huddersfield Library steps at 10.30am.
In the afternoon, historian and author Jill Liddington will host Walking with Women’s Suffrage, celebrating 100 years of Votes for Women by walking in the footsteps of local suffragettes. Participants should meet at the Harold Wilson statue in St. George’s Square at 2.30pm.
Each walk is £3 per person and no booking is required.
Find out more
Activities will continue later in the year with special town hall tours and a re-enactment of Huddersfield’s first council meeting. There are also opportunities for local groups to organise their own events.