Take hidden trail on this year’s heritage festival

HOST OF FASCINATING VENUES TO THROW OPEN DOORS FOR ANNUAL EVENT ACROSS THE AREA

SIXTEEN fascinating locations will be opening their doors or offering events as part of a Kirklees-wide involvement in the national Heritage Open Days festival.

The annual event will run for 10 consecutive days, from 11-20 September.

Despite significant reduction in the record 68 sites and events in 2019, this year’s selection offers an insight into places not always open to the public.

Venues include John Greenwood, Dewsbury’s oldest shop and now intimate local history museum, High Flatts Quaker Meeting House, Roebuck Memorial Homes, Huddersfield and several Anglican churches.

There is a unique Scavenger Hunt around Dewsbury’s Crow Nest Park and a hidden nature trail at Oakwell Hall Country Park, both celebrating this year’s national theme – ‘Hidden Nature.’

Plus, for the first time, two virtual tours – Birkby Heritage Trail, Huddersfield and St. Bartholomew’s Church, Marsden, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

All venues and events are free, although, a small number must be booked. For details of the venues and events in the Kirklees area and beyond, go to the national website at heritageopendays.org.uk.and search ‘Kirklees.’

Kirklees Heritage Open Days committee chairman, David Griffiths, said:

“The Covid situation has severely limited the opportunities to deliver the usual programme of heritage-themed events, property openings and other activities, so we really appreciate the efforts of the volunteers who have kept Heritage Open Days alive. I hope people will take care, stay alert but, above all, enjoy participating.”

A summary of Kirklees venues and events is as follows:

High Flatts Quaker Meeting House, Firth Lane, High Flatts, HD8 8XU. Opening times: Thursday, 17 September: 10am5pm; Friday, 18 September: 10am-5pm; Saturday, 19 September: 10am-5pm; Sunday 20 September: noon-5pm

Oakwell Hall Hidden Nature Trail, Nova Lane, Birstall, Batley, Opening times: Saturday, 12 September: noon-4pm Sunday, 13 September: noon-4pm Saturday, 19 September: noon-4.pm Sunday, 20 September: noon-4pm

Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury, WF13 2SG. Opening times: Saturday, 12 September: 2.30pm; Sunday, 13 September: 11.30; Thursday, 17 September: 10am; Saturday, 19 September: 11.30; Sunday, 20 September: 3.30

Dewsbury Minster, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury, WF12 8DD. Saturday, 12 September: 10.30am & 1pm. Pre-booking required. Email: johnlambe@kirklees.gov.uk Call: 01484 221000 and ask for John Lambe.

Byram Street. Opening times: Monday, 14 September: 3pm-4pm; Tuesday, 15 September: 3pm-4pm; Wednesday, 16 September: 3pm-4pm; Thursday, 17 September: 3pm-4pm; Friday, 18 September: 3pm-4pm; Saturday, 19 September: 3pm-4pm. Pre-booking required. Call 01484 427964, Email:office@ huddersfieldparishchurch.org