Welcome to this month’s newsletter. The next one will be out in late March – any items for inclusion by 16 March please.
Our next meeting – Monday 23 February
The Mysterious George Savage of Huddersfield, Eminent Watchmaker
A presentation by Andrew Blagg
George Savage was a celebrated, pioneering watchmaker and native of Huddersfield, who has fallen into relative obscurity from the height of his celebrity in the 19th century. Our speaker Andrew Blagg writes: ‘Investigating George and his family’s history has kept me out of mischief for 20 years, bringing me into contact with the great and the good from where I farm in Derbyshire. The task however is not completed, so I hope that this meeting can be a two-way discussion, answering unresolved questions and asking if the family’s achievements could be recognised locally?’
The meeting is on Monday 23 February at 7.30 pm in the Oastler Building at the University (the building above Shorehead roundabout). Car parking options after 6.0 pm are these (nearest first):
- The car park beneath the adjacent University gym, accessed from Wakefield Rd heading into town, just before the roundabout traffic lights. Parking is by the RingGo App only, at about £1.50. There’s a lift which comes out near the Library in the Schwann Building, a few steps from the Oastler.
- Two hours free parking is available in the Sainsbury’s car park opposite, though crossing the road can be a challenge.
- There is free on-street parking in Oldgate, and in Queen St South and adjoining Chapel St and Milford St, which run though to Chapel Hill.
Other forthcoming events – busy weeks ahead!
Friday 20 February – 6.30-8.30 p.m.: Votes for Women in Halifax and across Yorkshire
Halifax Civic Trust present a talk and book signing by celebrated women’s suffrage historian Jill Liddington. Huddersfield suffragette Dora Thewlis and Linthwaite suffragist Florence Lockwood will both feature. The event takes place at The Albany Club, Hope Hall, 57 Clare Rd, Halifax HX1 2JP – doors open at 5.30 pm with a chance to admire the house, and refreshments and bar from 6 pm. Tickets are £16.95 from here.
Monday 9 March – 7.30 pm: Florence Lockwood: The extraordinary life of a Colne Valley suffragist and peace campaigner
Meanwhile our own new edition of An Ordinary Life, Florence’s Colne Valley memoir, has already sold out and been reprinted. Editors Janette Martin and Rebecca Gill will speak about her life at Marsden Mechanics Hall. All welcome – £4 on the door.
Tuesday 10 March – 7.30 pm: John Taylor in France
Not long after World War II, teenager John Taylor set off on his bicycle to explore Brittany. You can hear about his experiences on the thousand-mile journey at Kirkheaton Community Centre, hosted by Kirkheaton History Group. £3 on the door, including refreshments.
Wednesday 11 March – 2.0 pm: The story of Titus Salt & Saltaire
The life of the man who built the largest mill in Europe and then gave away much of his wealth – a presentation by Stuart Hartley at Tolson Memorial Museum, Ravensknowle Park, Wakefield Road, HD5 8DJ – free event with tea and cake!
Wednesday 11 March – 7.0 pm: Shaping Huddersfield’s suburbs – the Arts & Crafts influence
In this talk to Huddersfield Civic Society, David Griffiths will draw on his new HLHS book Huddersfield’s Arts & Crafts Houses, available in local bookshops and via the HLHS website. At Brian Jackson House, 2 New North Parade, HD1 5JP, this is free to HCS members, with a suggested £5 donation for non-members.
Thursday 26 March – 6.30 pm: Annual Harold Wilson Memorial Lecture
The Rt. Hon. Lord Blunkett will speak on From the General Strike to the Age of AI: Harold Wilson and Labour’s Enduring Challenge at the University. The lecture is framed by two anniversaries, Labour’s 1966 victory under Harold Wilson and the centenary of the 1926 General Strike, and will reflect on continuity and change in British politics, exploring Wilson’s leadership as a statesman, political navigator and Yorkshire radical. For more details and to book a free place.
Remembering the General Strike
A range of events is being organised to commemorate this year’s centenary, including:
Saturday 14 March: Manchester Women and the General Strike at the Mechanics Institute, Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD – details here.
Saturday 9 May, Manchester: General Strike Exploration Day at the People’s History Museum, with presentations, tours and exhibitions. Full details are here.
News of Yorkshire events will be welcome! We will be including a talk about the Strike locally in our annual History Day on Saturday 7 November – save the date!
New publications by our members
Victorian policing…
Professor David Taylor continues his studies of Huddersfield policing with the new book pictured above. Two themes run through the book: the development of the police force and its impact on local society. The 132-page paperback is available at a special launch price of £10.
…and the medieval Manor of Quarmby
David Harpin’s translation from Latin of court rolls of the Manor of Quarmby, from July 1441 to December 1443, occupies a complete issue of the journal Medieval Yorkshire, published by the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society. Copies will be available at £3 at our next meeting, or email us at publications@huddersfieldhistory.org.uk if you would like to contact David direct.
Edgar Wood biopic now available on YouTube
The life of Arts & Crafts architect Edgar Wood, noted for Lindley Clock Tower, Banney Royd, Almondbury Clergy House and other local buildings, was celebrated some years ago in Anthony Dolan’s film A Painted Veil. This is now available on YouTube here.
Memories of Lunn & Cardno?
Do you have memories, or memorabilia, of the well-known interior decor business Lunn & Cardno, who had premises in Upperhead Row from the 1950s to the 1980s? David Griffiths is working on an article about founding partner Albert Lunn for our next Journal, and would like to know more about the business and its work.
Meanwhile Dave Pattern wonders if anybody has a good copy of his partner Peter Cardno’s 1923 book Past Artists of Huddersfield. It is out of copyright and he would like to add it to the wealth of local titles now digitised on his Huddersfield Exposed website. His own copy is slightly damaged on one page – does anybody have a clean copy he could borrow to scan?
If you can help in either way, please email publications@huddersfieldhistory.org.uk
We are always happy to include members’ research queries – just contact us at the same address.
