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WHAT IS THE 'TWIXT AIRE AND CALDER PROJECT? |
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Using photographs, maps, memorabilia, prints, and eventually sound and video from the collections of WMDC Libraries and Information Services, community groups and individuals, 'Twixt Aire and Calder is an online archive of images of Wakefield and District showing the diversity of life in our area both past and present . It creates the opportunity to collect material in the future and the means to look at specific topics and areas of interest, linking local, regional and national events. The Archive is a valuable learning resource for use by all ages and abilities, delivering wide-ranging educational benefits and capable of providing tailor-made educational packages. The Project encourages and promotes social inclusion and lifelong learning by encouraging local communities' knowledge of their heritage and culture, linking in with local and national strategies and initiatives. This project is funded by a Big Lottery Fund (previously New Opportunities Fund (NOF)) grant of over £100,000 with the support of Wakefield Libraries and Information Services. The Project is part of the Sense of Place Yorkshire and Humberside consortium of NOF funded projects including Leeds Libraries and Information Services (Leodis and Athena), North Yorkshire Libraries (Unnetie) and York Libraries (Imagine York). This project was first conceived in the mid 1990's but was finally brought to fruition by the hard work of a dedicated band of staff from across Wakefield Libraries and Information Services and the wider Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, with the support of volunteers and private individuals from across the area in 2002/3.
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WHEN WAS THIS PROJECT BEGUN? |
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The Project Timescale stretches back many years before this site first appeared on the internet in 2003, Here is a list of the project's major milestones:
1995 - first discussion of project at Library team meeting
1998 - first stage of grant application submitted to New Opportunities Fund
2001 - second stage of grant application submitted to New Opportunities Fund
2002 - January - grant received from New Opportunities Fund
2002 - April - Project equipment installed at Library Headquarters
2002 - June - Project Coordinator appointed
2002 - September - scanning and indexing of images begins
2003 - March - Project website launched
Present - Items continue to be added to continually update the Archive
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WHERE IS WAKEFIELD DISTRICT? |
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Wakefield Metropolitan District is one of the five administrative areas that make up the county of West Yorkshire in the North of England. The others are Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Bradford. For more detailed information why not make use of a free mapping service such as www.multimap.co.uk or www.streetmap.co.uk and enter location information such as placename or postcode as found on individual archive image entries!
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WHAT IS WAKEFIELD DISTRICT'S HISTORIC HERITAGE? (a) |
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Our long history is packed with important events. In a nutshell some of these are ... Most recently known as a thriving inland cloth and grain port upon which much of the area's wealth was based, Wakefield also gave rise to one of Britain's best loved nursery rhymes, 'Here we go round the Mulberry Bush': the 'Bush' from this rhyme was and still is situated within the walls of Wakefield Prison's exercise yard. Wakefield's reputed connection to the tales of Robin Hood stem from George-a-Green, the Pinder of Wakefield, who at first fought with Robin but then joined him and became one of his 'Merry Men'. The Medieval market town of Wakefield is superbly documented in its well preserved set of administrative manuscripts, the Manor Court Rolls and became a city in 1888. It is still the 'County town' of West Yorkshire, hosting fine Victorian County and Town Halls. The Chantry Chapel of St Mary on Wakefield Bridge is one of the last surviving Medieval bridge chantries, and Wakefield Cathedral, which dates back to pre-Norman times has the highest spire in Yorkshire. Other notable buildings include a restored Elizabethan schoolroom and the Tammy Hall, where finished cloth products or 'tammy' were traded. In terms of art and culture, Wakefield's Theatre Royal and Opera House was created by the distinguished theatre designer Frank Matcham (1854-1920) in 1894, and Wakefield's famous offspring have included sculptress Barbara Hepworth and novelists George Gissing and more recently Thomas Armstrong. Wakefield and District is also known for its tradition of Rugby League and for being inside 'The Rhubarb Triangle' a small, yet peculiarly fertile area of agricultural land, which is particularly suited to large-scale production of this tasty pink-coloured vegetable crop.
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WHAT IS WAKEFIELD DISTRICT'S HISTORIC HERITAGE? (b) |
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Individual places within what is now Wakefield Metropolitan District can also claim their own historical significance. The town of Castleford was once called Lagentium by the Romans, who built several large forts there, although it is more presently known for its proud history of coal mining and outstanding Rugby League as well as for its most famous son, sculptor Henry Moore (1898-1983). Castleford is also famous for once producing quality glass and pottery products. Pontefract, whose majestic castle once played host to Richard II and lengthy Civil War sieges, is now best known for its beautiful Parish Church, Market Cross and tradition of fine confectionery. The popular liquorice 'Pontefract' or 'Pomfret' Cake is its best known product, and Pontefract is one of the few places in the world where the Liquorice bush will grow with commercial success. Horbury was home to renowned architect John Carr (1723-1807) and to the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) who wrote the well known hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers' whilst he was resident there in 1865 and more recently for the author Stan Barstow.
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WHAT IS WAKEFIELD DISTRICT'S HISTORIC HERITAGE? (c) |
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Ossett is best known for its woollen trade links, especially to Mungo and Shoddy manufacture. The village of Walton was once home to Sir Charles Waterton (1782-1865), whose pioneering South American adventures and attitude to wildlife has caused his estate, Waterton Park to be referred to as one of the world's first private nature reserves. The communities around South Elmsall and Kinsley are best known for coal extraction, and in 1905, the unique 'Kinsley Evictions' marked an important event in the history of workers' protest. Another such key event occurred at Featherstone in 1893, The Featherstone 'Massacre' where protesting miners were fired on by soldiers after The Riot Act had been read, killing some of those in the crowd. Also known for its coal mining, the town of Normanton, which is mentioned in the Domesday book, has a parish church dating back to the 14th Century and played host to the Knights Templars of Newland Hall. The nearby village of Altofts was the birthplace of Elizabethan privateer Sir Martin Frobisher (c.1535-1594) and the village of Foulby, to the south of Wakefield is best known as the birthplace of John Harrison, who is responsible for the concept of Longitude. As you can see, Wakefield and District is brimming with interesting contributions to the heritage and culture of Yorkshire and of Britain across 2000 years of history and beyond. More information about historic sites and events in the Wakefield District can be found via the Wakefield Council's Homepage or via Wakefield Tourism Agency.
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WHAT KIND OF AREA IS WAKEFIELD NOW? (a) |
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The Wakefield District was brought together following local government reorganisation in 1974. The Cathedral City of Wakefield and the 40 surrounding towns and villages that make up the District are situated in West Yorkshire, England. Wakefield District covers an area of approximately 350 square kilometres and has a current population of approximately 319,600. Residents share the experience of living along the reaches of the Aire and Calder rivers over once rich coal seams. The M1, A1 and M62 motorways that now define the area dominate the modern landscape. The City of Wakefield, the Five Towns (Normanton, Castleford, Pontefract, Featherstone And Knottingley), the 'shoddy' mill towns and the villages are fiercely proud and independent, some with their own town and parish councils to influence developments in their communities. The Wakefield area houses several notable attractions including The National Coal Mining Museum for England near Overton, Nostell Priory - a country house with an outstanding collection of Chippendale furniture and the open air Yorkshire Sculpture Park at Bretton.
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WHAT KIND OF AREA IS WAKEFIELD NOW?(b) |
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The Local Studies Collections of Wakefield Libraries and Information Services have been collected by the present library service and its predecessors (over the last few hundred years) and are located on 3 main sites. The Local Studies policy aims to preserve, store and distribute suitable materials so that they can be used within their local communities. This digital archive, which includes contributions from local groups and individuals as well as the library service will illustrate the diversity of life in the past, present and future by linking to local, regional and national heritage developments. By illustrating this shared experience and providing accessibility and opportunities to develop the resource, individuals and communities can learn, grow and contribute to shaping their own future and the future of their city, town or village. There is a rich, diverse and never ending story to record about the Wakefield District. This project provides an unrivalled opportunity for engagement and involvement from the local community and to establish an interactive archive to promote learning and opportunities.
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