Blog | The Heart of Wakefield Project - Free guided walks around Wood Street
Wakefield Civic Society
an organisation dedicated to making Wakefield a better place in which to live, work or relax.
The Heart of Wakefield Project - Free guided walks around Wood Street
In association with Wakefield Council, Wakefield Historical Society and Leeds Beckett University, Wakefield Civic Society has formed a partnership to research the story of Wood Street, in the city centre.
The Heart of Wakefield Project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and aims to uncover the stories of the people who lived or worked on the historic street and to research the history of the street itself and the buildings along it.
Wood Street is home to many historic buildings including Wakefield Town Hall, the former Crown Court and the former Police Station. The project is aiming to find out more about the street's beginnings, how it developed and what happened there. Volunteers from Wakefield Civic Society, Wakefield Historical Society and the public at large have been busy researching facts and discovering some fascinating stories. This research will be published by the Historical Society in due course.
Meanwhile, Faceless Arts has been working with the project to create some original artwork and One to One Development Trust is making a film to support the project.
As part of our own contribution to the project, the Civic Society is:
- Publishing a new booklet on the history of Wood Street and its buildings;
- Putting up some new blue plaques; and
- Leading guided walks to explain some of the history of the street
Our booklet – Wood Street, The Heart of Wakefield, by Kevin Trickett, should be published in June. Assuming things go to plan, we will have a number of free copies of the booklet to give away to people participating in our guided walks programme during June and July.
The 17th June has been designated by Civic Voice as national Civic Day and civic societies across the country are holding events to mark the occasion which, this year, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Civic Amenities Act of 1967 which led to the creation of the first Conservation Areas. With this in mind, we have chosen 17th June to hold our first guided walks around Wood Street which is itself one of Wakefield’s Conservation Areas.
The fill programme is as follows:
1.Saturday, 17th June, 10.30 am – Talk and Walk
An illustrated talk and guided walk lasting around two and half hours. Starting from the Civic Society’s office at the Town Hall, the walk will include a visit to see the exhibition at the Gissing Centre in Thompson’s Yard, off Westgate. This walk is likely to be filmed by One to One Development Trust as part of the project. If you do not wish to be included in the film, please make this known when you book or, if you prefer, choose a different event.
(Please note that the Gissing Centre is on the first floor, up a flight of stairs and that there is no lift)
2.Saturday, 17th June, 2.00 pm – Talk and Walk
An illustrated talk and guided walk lasting around two and half hours. Starting from the Civic Society’s office at the Town Hall, the walk will include a visit to see the exhibition at the Gissing Centre in Thompson’s Yard, off Westgate. This walk is likely to be filmed by One to One Development Trust as part of the project. If you do not wish to be included in the film, please make this known when you book or, if you prefer, choose a different event. (This is a repeat of the 10.30 am talk and walk)
(Please note that the Gissing Centre is on the first floor, up a flight of stairs and that there is no lift)
3.Sunday, 2nd July, 2.00 pm – Walk Only
Meeting outside the Town Hall in Wood Street, this walk will take around one and a half to two hours. This is a walk only and does not include an illustrated talk beforehand.
4.Wednesday, 5th July, 6.30 pm – Walk Only
Meeting outside the Town Hall in Wood Street, this walk will take around one and a half to two hours. This is a walk only and does not include an illustrated talk beforehand.
5.Friday, 7th July, 2.00 pm – Talk and Walk
An illustrated talk and guided walk lasting around two hours, starting from the Civic Society’s office at the Town Hall.
6.Wednesday, 12th July, 2.00 pm – Talk and Walk
An illustrated talk and guided walk lasting around two hours, starting from the Civic Society’s office at the Town Hall.
Further walks will be offered later in the year.
Please note that spaces for each event are limited and must be booked in advance.
You can download a booking form attached booking form and returning it to us or by sending us an email.
Wood Street – The Heart of Wakefield Project delivered in association with:
Comments