ALL OUR Take stroll through the rich history of Birkby
A CIRCULAR 90-MINUTE GUIDED TRAIL AROUND BIRKBY, OUTLINING A RICH AND VARIED HISTORY DATING FROM MEDIEVAL TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY, HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY DISCOVER HUDDERSFIELD. WRITTEN BY KIRKLEES LIBRARY STAFF AND , THE FREE TRAIL IS ONE OF 16 AVAILABLE
BIRKBY changed dramatically within a relatively short space of time. It was not much more than a green hamlet with a few houses until the mid-18th century, accessible only by a footpath until John William Street and St John’s Road were built in the 1850s.
Because of its peripheral location, it had been chosen as the site of Huddersfield’s workhouse, which was condemned by health inspectors for shockingly unhygienic conditions and poor management.
On a happier note, the area’s streams and rich springs provided water for local farms, gardens and orchards as well as enabling the development of breweries, corn milling, tanning, dyeing and woollen manufacturing.
During the 19th century, Birkby was transformed into a bustling centre of production. Products manufactured here spread far and wide. Ben Shaws’ pop made in Willow Lane since the 1890s and originally distributed by carts pulled by shire horses, quickly grew in popularity. The company’s non-alcoholic drinks, especially ginger beer and dandelion and burdock made it a household name in much of the north of England.
Hopkinsons, a rapidly growing engineering firm founded in 1843, which relocated to Birkby in 1904, acquired an even greater reputation. Products made at this 16-acre site, including valves, boiler mountings, soot blowers and steel castings were exported globally. They were also vital for use in the UK’s power stations. By the 1960s the firm had over 2,000 employees.
Though neither of these two famous companies have survived until the present day, manufacturing in Birkby is still alive with the Deluxe bed factory founded in 1995, and the Stork Bros mill, built in 1863, which continues to produce yarn as part of the Camira group.
By the start of the First World War Birkby had become a thriving residential district with all the amenities of a small town. The many shops included two co-ops and there was a post office and a cinema.
Birkby’s built heritage includes a number of imposing buildings. Dominating the local skyline is the 220ft spire of St John’s Church designed by a renowned architect William Butterfield and erected by Joseph Kaye, dubbed ‘the builder of Huddersfield.’
Four of Birkby’s grade-II listed properties - Birkby Lodge, which features in the trail, and Azo House, Crendon and Rose Hill - carry the signature of another distinguished architect, Edgar Wood.
Tucked away from view today but defining the surrounding area is Bay Hall, a timber-framed house which has survived from the 16th century.
Some of Birkby’s religious buildings have changed use over the years, such as the former Carlton cinema and the striking ‘teapot chapel’ which have both become mosques.
One of the hidden highlights of the trail is the remnant of a probable Norman wooden motte and bailey on Beacon Street. From there you can appreciate a view of the whole area including a glimpse of Castle Hill.
■Frank and Lorna’s guided walk, based on the trail and expected to last approximately two hours, is scheduled to start from St John’s Church at 2.30pm on Sunday, October 27 with a charge of £3 per person. No booking is required.
Details of other trails and the programme of Discover Huddersfield walks can be obtained by visiting: www. discoverhuddersfield.com.
Staff at Huddersfield Local Studies Library are always ready to help people explore the history of their home or neighbourhood and have a wealth of resources to help with research.