Keighley Library Heritage Open Day 2018

September 18, 2018Bradford Libraries Leave a comment

Keighley Library celebrated Heritage Day on Saturday 15th September 2018 with a feast of history and culture celebrating local heritage, community and history. The day was a roaring success with something for everyone in the mix.

Billy Barton from legendary Keighley band Dawnwatcher took us back to the 1970’s and the new 1970’s Musical Heritage exhibition was launched.

Billy Barton

Malcolm Hanson told the story of the Civil War and local people’s heroic stand. It is a most uplifting story!

Malcolm Hanson

Historian Robin Longbottom gave a fascinating and informative talk about the boundary stones based on his new publication.

Robin Longbottom

History Societies exhibiting included Keighley and District Family History Society, Keighley and District Local History Society, Men of Worth project and Keighley Model Railway Club all with a wealth of information about the local heritage.

The highlight of the day for many was live music from Keighley band ‘Howlin’ Johnny and the Devil’s Rejects’ who had the audience on their feet and the building rocking to the rafters.

A comment from the Visitors book:

Comments book

‘Howlin’ Johnny brought the house down, people stood, clapped and sang to give a good time feel to Keighley. Skiffle, Rock and Blues mixed to perfection; and to end with thunderous applause.’

The 1970’s exhibition will be up in the library until the end of October.

There are still opportunities to hear Malcolm Hanson’s Civil War talk in libraries on the following dates:

Saturday September 22nd, 2.00pm, Denholme Library
Saturday September 29th, 2.00pm, Eccleshill Library
Saturday October 6th, 2.00pm, Bingley Library
Saturday October 13th, 2.00pm, Shipley Library
Saturday October 20th, 2.00pm, Bradford Local Studies Library
Saturday 27th October, 2.00pm, Ilkley Library
Saturday 3rd November, 2.00pm Wyke Library

October 1642. ‘When the battle began, the Royalist Commanders laughed at Bradford’s rabble army, but help for Bradford was at hand.’ Join Local historian Malcolm Hanson as he brings to life this story of great heroism. These are free events. No booking required.

The Men of Worth Project

GallerySeptember 17, 2018Bradford Libraries 1 Comment

Bradford Libraries World War One Blog

https://www.menofworth.org.uk

Keighley’s Men of Worth Project researches local people who served the country in wartime. It is actively run by project directors Ian Walkden and Andy Wade.

They are currently looking to put together a bid for a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant. They will be holding an initial meeting for interested persons to get together to discuss their bid.

If you would like to join the Men of Worth Project and have a say in the plan for a grant from the HLF, please come along to this meeting in Keighley Local Studies Library on Saturday 22nd September starting at 10.00am.

Andy Wade said:

‘This is just an initial meeting to gauge interest and outline what we’d like to do with a grant, and invite opinions from anyone who may have any other ideas on what we could accomplish. We’d like to make it clear from the start that the…

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Parkwood School Then and Now!

August 24, 2018Bradford Libraries Leave a comment

What a joyful way to spend a Thursday afternoon, listening to the sound of children singing, making music and having a right good time! On Thursday 19^th July, Gina Birdsall and I were invited to Parkwood School to watch them perform their end of year show. This kind invite was extended to us, due to our help with their World War One Project.

Last month some of the Year 5 pupils came into to Keighley Library to look, first hand at some of our archive material. The children had the opportunity to study and discuss photographs and original documents covering issues such as: food rationing, refugees, entertainment, and the experiences of injured soldiers at the Keighley War Hospitals, using material from the Brigg collection (BK10) and the Herbert France Collection (BK424) and with help from other local groups.

Gertie and Paul, from Whitworks Adventures in Theatre (WAT) who focus on bringing history to life using drama, writing, local stories and primary sources with children in school and community groups, worked with the children as part of their Heritage Lottery Funded Project: ‘Park Wood Then and Now’, the children’s hard work has been put into a wonderful booklet which we were pleased to receive copies of for the Library.

parkwood

The school show saw the culmination of the children’s hard work over the year. We were treated to the Year 5 pupils singing two songs from the World War 1 era ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ and ‘Pack up your troubles’. The children’s enthusiasm was infectious and by the end of the show everyone was joining in.

Angela Speight

Local Studies Facebook Page

August 6, 2018Bradford Libraries 2 Comments

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The Local Studies Service now have our own Facebook page. So if you are on Facebook and are interested in local history, news and events, why not give us a like and follow the page.

https://www.facebook.com/BradfordLocalStudies/

New Local Studies Newsletter

August 3, 2018Bradford Libraries Leave a comment

news-530220_960_720 We are starting a new Local Studies Newsletter. This will contain local history news and events as well as many interesting snippets about the whole district.