Pontefract Voice - March 2019

PONTEFRACT VOICE MARCH 2019

EXEMPLARY DESIGN CELEBRATED IN PONTEFRACT

DESIGN AWARDS 2017/18

2017 Regeneration Award - Knights of Pontefract, 3 Horsefair

2017 Faรงade of the Year - Pickerings of Pontefract

2017 Special Commendation - WDH Baileygate Court

2018 Heritage Award - Ropergate House, 43 Ropergate

2017 Residential Award - Mercer Almshouses, Halfpenny Lane

2018 Improvement Award - Hope & Anchor

2017 Improvement Award - Gillygate Apartments

2018 Special Commendation - Pontefract in Bloom

2017 Heritage Award - Pontefract Castle, Visitor Centre

2018 Special Commendation - Townscape Heritage Initiative

Registered charity number 513509

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50th Anniversary

International Women’s Day Pontefract Civic Society will be 50 years old in May, 2019, but we may not have been formed without the impetus of the Pontefract branch of the Business & Professional Women’s Association, Jane Enright tells us, who was the wife of a founder member the late Derek Enright MP. Jane goes on to tell us that the late Brenda Macaskill was the prime mover, who was Chief Social Worker & Manager as the Disabled Miners Welfare Centre on Halfpenny Lane, where the Pontefract & District Civic Trust executive committee used to meet, following the inaugural meeting at the town hall. So we owe a lot to Brenda and her colleagues.

Anne Parsons, Countess of Rosse, was our first President, whom the Facade of the Year award is named after. This influential lady moved in the right circles bringing notable speakers to our annual dinners, including Princess Margaret, which was more than a coincidence as Lady Rosse was Lord Snowden’s mother. Lady Rosse arranged for Mrs Hornby, the wife of the W H Smith’s Chief Executive Sir Simon Hornby to be our guest speaker in 1991.

Mabel Calderwood, the wife of a surgeon at Pontefract General Infirmary, was Vice Chair and Chair in the early 1990’s, following Jack Johnson.

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After the turn of the century, women have continued to play a part in Pontefract Civic Society, as either trustees or members of working groups, and here are just a few examples (past & present), Dr Mae Collins, Mollie Garbett, Dr Claire MacDonald, Christine Cartwright, Emma Jane Horsfield, Sue Gilbert, Gill Lodge, and Rosemary Barnes. We are sure there have been many more women who have made a contribution throughout our 50 years, and we thank them all.

Elizabeth Moxon – First blue plaque in Pontefract to a woman Pontefract’s first blue plaque to a woman was unveiled at the Town Hall on Friday 15 March.

Pontefract Civic Society and Dream Time Creative, the arts company behind the Forgotten Women of Wakefield blue plaque parity campaign teamed up to deliver an afternoon of performances, talks and tastings to honour Elizabeth Moxon, the author of Pontefract’s first published cookbook ‘English Housewifry’ in 1741.

Funded by Pontefract Museum, the research and community engagement project has provided www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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opportunities for local people to explore, through poetry, prose, art and story-telling, the life of Elizabeth Moxon (nee Hestleton) whose family can be traced back to 1640 when her grandfather first rented the burgage plot from the De Lacy family on Finkle Street where the plaque will be placed.

Attended by Yvette Cooper MP, Counsellor Jacqui Speight, members of the Moxon Society and other invited guests, the audience was treated to a performance commissioned by Dream Time Creative of ‘Lemon Drops’ a short play by Amy Charles that invited watchers into Elizabeth Moxon’s kitchen, to meet her, her characterful neighbour and the printer of the first edition, James Lister. Sarah Cobham, CEO of Dream Time Creative said, ‘Enabling and emboldening the woman’s voice through creativity is at the heart of what we do and today is a testament to that. Not only have we ‘met’ Elizabeth we have also been able to sample some of her sweet dishes made by our volunteer researchers, Helga Fox, Helen Wilby and Amy Charles, from the original cookbook.’

Paul Cartwright, Pontefract Civic Society Chairman said “I was thrilled when Sarah approached us to get involved in this project last October, especially as the civic society had identified the need for a blue plaque to the cookbook and its writer, Elizabeth Moxon. It was a further honour to be asked to host the unveiling at Pontefract Town Hall and to have Yvette Cooper MP present. We also pleased that Jonathan Barton has agreed for the blue plaque to go on his café in Finkle Street, a place in Pontefract where the story began.”

Joanne Ivy, a workshop participant said of the whole project, ‘I have found this a most rewarding experience. These workshops have inspired to try something I would never have tried before and being able to learn about creative writing and play around with putting words together has been really liberating. I also loved learning about Elizabeth and feel as if I have had a sneak-peak into her kitchen. It’s been such a treat!’

Sarah Cobham CEO Dream Time Creative

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50th Anniversary programme Our programme of events, activities and deliverables will be much more varied than our usual fare of monthly talks; whilst this is still being planned, here is a summary of what we’ll be offering:

• 50th Anniversary Programme (printed calendar of events)

• Our 50 year timeline will be used in numerous

• •

•

•

• •

•

ways to produce things like, an evening with Allan Blaza as a live interview, a booklet, a photographic exhibition and much more We’ve had our Design Awards event, our AGM, and we have eight talks programmed, including two CEOs in one night We’ll be hosting Wetherby Civic Society, RailFuture Yorkshire & Humber, and the Yorkshire Association of Civic Societies at different points in our 50th year Our visits out to industry and other places include TJX Europe, and Renewii, and we’re going to Halifax and Howden hosted by the respective civic societies For special celebration events, we’re hosting our very first Community Showcase (Apr), tree planting (May TBC), Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra (May), an Afternoon Tea (Jul) with a birthday cake, flower arranging demonstration and entertainment, an extended Heritage Days festival (Sept), and we’ll have our own celebratory ale plus something else up our sleeve, and our year will end with the Liquorice Singers in concert with mince pies and mulled wine (Dec) We’ll launch our forum for like-minded community groups as members of the civic society through the first dedicated meeting We will bring forward a number of interpretation board in the town centre, our rail stations and at the Barracks, and hopefully the blue plaque to Elizabeth Moxon’s book should add impetus to gain funding for further blue plaques Other events we are exploring are based on heritage and culture, so we’re still aiming to hit that magic target of 50!

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CHAIR’S REPORT With our 50th anniversary, new group structure, Community Showcase, Tour de Yorkshire, engagement with schools and other community groups together with meetings with various teams in Wakefield Council, 2019 has got off to an incredibly busy start.

We’ve had meetings with Wakefield Council for our Highways Group, and I’ve attended the Pontefract Working Group each month this year, and I’ve facilitated two meetings on the Liquorice Festival for Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens and the Council Major Events Team, which will deliver a greater level of engagement for community groups and businesses.

I’ve had a meeting on interpretation boards and signage.

I’ve had one meeting with Tom Stannard and Cllr David Jones on the regeneration of Pontefract which has focused on highways and land use, and our next meeting is in April, all this on top of coordinating the civic society response to the Local Plan 2036 consultation.

On other matters for businesses, we’ve supported an IT business on the heritage of a building they’ve purchased on Gillygate, as well as participating in two meetings leading towards the regeneration and design of 40 Ropergate, which is the derelict former Parish Rooms (originally a masonic lodge). Phil Cook and I together with the Town Crier promoted Pontefract’s business and heritage on BBC Radio Leeds Richard Stead Breakfast Show on a very cold and frosty 1 Feb. As a further promotion of the town’s rich heritage and as a welcome to visitors, we have teamed up with the Magistrates Court, who have allowed us to use a display cabinet.

Cookson, and more of that will follow with them and other members, so if anyone wishes to offer help we would welcome that.

Beyond that past, I’ve also reached out to some new members with the hope of bringing additional skills and capacity to the civic society. I’ve met Richard Grace, Head of St Giles Academy for whom Gill Lodge, Christine Cartwright and I have trialled a short blue plaque trail, and met with Joe Ayre, Head of Carleton Park J&I School, in order to further develop our Junior Civic Society.

We’ve also supported St Giles with St Mary’s pantomime society, and I’ve been working in the background on our efforts towards a ‘Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean’, the Community Showcase and the Tour de Yorkshire.

Within the civic movement, I’ve attended the YHACS AGM and an executive meeting, YHACS Design Workshop, and Civic Voice Regional Forum in Birmingham.

Outside of my civic society core work, I have supported two engagement meetings with third parties for The Crescent Project.

We had a great event in the town hall to unveil the Elizabeth Moxon blue plaque, reported earlier in this issue.

Two meetings on rail, will be reported elsewhere.

I’ve captured research for the 50th anniversary on our own history by talking with Allan Blaza and Peter Registered charity number 513509

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Constitutional Proposals and relevant justification

Proposed by

Proposal 1 – Clause 3 Add e) Community Group Member category.

Move existing e), f), g) to f), g), h)

Executive

Proposal 2 – Clause 4 Add Community Group Membership (if Proposal 1 accepted).

Add Business Membership (Gold) – from 2018 AGM (not vote needed).

Executive

Proposal 3 – Clause 10 Add Invitation to become a member of the Executive Committee within the Gold Business Member category

Executive

Proposal 4 – Clauses 10 & 11 Amend ‘Committees’ to ‘Groups’ – c. 10.

Amend all references to committees to be replaced with Groups – c. 11.

Executive

Proposal 5 – Clause 10 Exec will meet 5 times per year,…one officer and one Group Coordinator

Executive

Proposal 6 – Clause 11 Groups shall appoint a Coordinator, a Deputy Coordinator, and a Secretary

Executive

Election of Executive

Term

Nominee

Proposed by

Vice Chair

2019-2021

Phil Cook

Executive

Honorary Secretary

2019-2021

Karl Gilbert

Executive

Planning Group Coordinator

2019

Peter Taylor

Executive

Heritage Group Coordinator

2019

Phil Henfrey

Executive

Highways Group Coordinator

2019

Anthony Dee

Executive

Rail Group Coordinator

2019

Dave Hogg

Executive

Citizenship Group Coordinator

2019

Phil Cook

Executive

Talks & Tours Group Coordinator

2019

Dave Hogg

Executive

A few words from Phil Cook, our Vice Chair I was delighted to be voted in as vice chair of Pontefract Civic Society at the recent AGM. I know many of you reading this may not know me, so please allow me to introduce myself.

I have worked in the electrical supply (power) industry for 35 years and recently retired after the closure of Eggborough Power Station. During my career, I worked mainly in the operations department, whilst also having roles in both safety and training. During the last five years, I was the Operational Training Co-ordinator, which involved the introduction of new staff in all areas and ensuring that training standards were efficiently maintained.

Registered charity number 513509

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As well as my full time occupation, I have over 20 years’ experience in the voluntary sector, having been a scout leader and a volunteer member of St John Ambulance. During my time with SJA, I worked in a wide range of areas which has included being an Assistant County Commissioner - Training, ACC – Membership, ACC Bradford and Calderdale, and South Yorkshire Area Manager.

All these roles involved direct management of volunteers and youth members, large and small PR events for SJA, duty management ranging from the small village gala to the Bradford Mella (the largest Asian music event in the U.K.), and other music events like Leeds Festival. I was also fortunate to manage the recent visit of the Queen to Sheffield, and many large sporting events, such as the St Ledger at Doncaster Racecourse.

With my wide experience in the voluntary sector, training and safety, I am looking forward to transferring these skills into the civic society, building on the fantastic organisation, and ensuring our 50th year events is one to remember.

Phil Cook Vice Chair

Pontefract Working Group A few highlights from our discussions to keep readers informed:

• The Technical Advisory Panel is seeking

information from the working group on Pontefract’s night-time economy relating to both the issues and opportunities; our response will cover anti-social behaviour at hot spots, particularly in Market Place, the need for additional policing, as well positive features which are emerging in the newer licenced establishments who are offering food, entertainment and a better quality experience

• The potential for improved connectivity on

Horsefair from Bridge Street to the castle is being scoped

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• Connectivity between Beechnut Lane, Colonel’s Walk and Sessions House Yard is now being delivered, which is something Pontefract Civic Society has campaigned for since the days that the Urban Renaissance report gathered dust

Paul Cartwright - Chair, Phil Cook - Vice Chair & Karl Gilbert - Secretary

WELCOME to the following new members: • Travel Counsellors • Rachel Willoughby & Antony Smalley • Diane Williams • Richard Yates • David & Maura Yates • Martin & Kathleen Johnson • St. Giles CofE Academy • Gareth Henfrey & Erin Buckley • Matthew & Emma Henfrey • James Henfrey & Kirsty Atha • Whitegates Estate Agents • Michael & Lucy Normanton • Mary Page • Enfields Estate Agents • Sykes (Purston) Ltd • The Robin Hood / Henry Smith Brewery • Stephen Melody • Elizabeth Hempsall

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COMMITTEE REPORTS Planning Committee Local Plan 2036

Planning Applications

Our Planning Group, Highways Group and Phil Cook held a special meeting to discuss the above plan on top of a number of in depth review session by Peter Taylor and Phil Henfrey. The results of all our discussions were then collated by Paul Cartwright and submitted 71 comments to Wakefield MDC. Our detailed response stressed rising issues in relation to:

Peter Taylor attended the WMDC Planning Committee meeting on 17 January, which debated the Leisure Hub planning application for two hours prior to the vote and its approval and referral to the Secretary of State.

• • • • • •

Highways Exceeding house building targets Continued erosion of the green belt Absence of rail station masterplans Route of the South Featherstone Link Road Known developments missing from the plan

Referece

Full consideration was given during the presentation and discussion, to road widening on the northbound carriageway of the A639 junction, to a lack of community engagement on health & well-being, accessibility and public transport. Whilst the civic society supported the planning application with the caveats of improved highways solutions being required, we objected to planned closure of the leisure hub on race days.

Summary

Location

Stance

17/03050/ SUB01

Discharge of condition 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 from approved application 17/03050/LBC

3 Corn Market WF8 1AN

No Objection

18/02806/FUL

Demolition of attached garage and replacement single storey extension to side

18 The Mount WF8 1ND

No Objection

19/00203/FUL

Use of part of first floor as hotel in association with the existing public house and works to roof area to create rooftop beer garden.

Broken Bridge 5 Horsefair WF8 1PE

Neutral

19/00207/FUL

Change of use from Retail to Cafe and Childrens play area

29 Southgate WF8 1LN

Supported

19/00389/FUL

Single storey extennsion to rear

Castle Chain House WF8 1QH

No Objection

19/00374/FUL

Change of use from bathroom showroom (Use Class A1) to teaching space (Use Class D1) including fencing

Unit 1 Stuart Road WF8 4PW

Supported

19/00382/FUL

Single storey stoving facility extension and replacement car parking

Tangerine Confectionary

No Objection

19/00391/FUL

Change of use from hairdressers (use class order: A1) to micro pub (use class order: A4)

WF8 1AL

19/00371/ADV

2no. internally illuminated fascia board signs and 2no. internally illuminated hanging signs

WF8 1AG

Registered charity number 513509

25 Beastfair Market Place

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Supported No Objection

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Tour De Yorkshire

Heritage Group Whilst we’ve not started fully planning yet, we have committed to extend our contribution to this national festival in September, from one weekend to two weekends, as part of our 50th Anniversary programme. 2019 is also the 25th Anniversary of Heritage Open Days where ‘People Power’ will be an optional theme for this year.

We will shortly be reaching out to our regular host locations and organisations, and we’ll also be adding some different places and activities, which we hope will inspire both local people and visiting tourists to engage with Pontefract’s rich heritage.

Philip Henfrey Heritage Group Coordinator

Citizenship Group As well as managing the creation and delivery of our 50th Anniversary programme of activities which includes the Community Showcase, Tour de Yorkshire, and a celebration concert with Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra, we are also starting to prepare for one of our core activities, and that is how we present the civic society at public events. The latter relates to our PR stall at events, the displays we will use and the activities for young people – watch this space!

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On 20 March, we hosted three Welcome to Yorkshire representatives who delivered an inspirational Tour de Yorkshire Roadshow including videos and photographs of past races. We were joined by local businesses, bell ringers, the town crier, Rifles recruiters (Army), Lionesses, Friends groups, and representatives from WMDC. We now know:

• •

• • • • • • • • • •

The sprint stage will end near the Barracks The ‘caravan’ comprising sponsors vehicles with freebies will arrive about an hour before the men’s race, and roads will be open between the caravan and the men’s race The end of the race will be indicated by a chase vehicle with clear signage, please wait until this has passed before you cross the road The official charity for 2019 is Help for Hero’s We will put together a timetable for the day and events programme We will publish an ideas on how to decorate your property (residential as well as businesses) 20 recycled bikes will be painted in April and then allocated to decorate the route Wooden and plastic bike shapes will be available for community groups to paint and add your logo Pontefract Library was Wednesday has a Craft Club making bunting, but they need blue, yellow, white material and more helpers WMDC will erect bunting on Ropergate and Market Place, plus banners on Southgate Pontefract Heritage Group will be doing historical walks around the town centre in between the two races We will erect two large shirts, one on the Barracks Business Centre and one on St Giles Church

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With all of the above ideas and more, let’s all work together to make Pontefract the best dressed town in Yorkshire.

Junior Civic Society We have added St Giles Academy to our Junior Civic Society, following an initial meeting Paul Cartwright and Gill Lodge had with the Richard Grace, the Head, also attended by Alison Firth (Deputy Head) and Christine Brown (Safeguarding & Pastoral Manager); some pupils will be involved in a Keep Britain Tidy litter pick, and we are already planning a variety of activities based on suggestions from the school including a sort blue plaque walk.

Paul Cartwright recently had the opportunity to meet Joe Ayre, Head at Carleton Park J&I School with our regular contact, Adele Worsnop, which allowed an opportunity to review what we’ve done with the

school over recent years, and vice versa, plus for us to consider some activities for the remainder of the school year, which Joe and Adele will consider.

Phil Cook Citizenship Group Coordinator

Highways Group It is the nature of highways matters that progress is exceedingly slow. The group did meet with Wakefield MDC officers in February for a discussion on local road issues.

Work on the Broad Lane junction with Southgate to deliver pedestrian safety is now underway which should be completed by Easter. For the All Saints Church gyratory, some detailed refinements for access splays into the Industrial area have been drawn up and the plans will then move forward to modelling traffic flows for evaluation; so far we are getting positive vibes for this scheme.

Now that the planning application for the Leisure Hub has been approved, some details for the Pontefract end of the South Featherstone Link Road (SFLR) have become clearer. The road will head north from near Farmer Copley’s up to Park Lane, crossing it near the racehorse stables and heading down towards the park past the rear of New College. The plan is for this road to go through to Park Road (A639), joining at the Wickes roundabout via a modified existing mini roundabout within the park. There are now plans to make the Park Road into a four lane highway right through to the M62. This would need an extra bridge under the railway line and alterations to the junction with the Northern Link Road.

Axiom have now come out of hibernation with news of development of the shopping centre and Rugby League ground for Castleford Tigers. We all know how heavily congested this area becomes at peak times, especially weekends. The modifications to Park Road are unlikely to cope with extra traffic plus the SFLR, Leisure hub and continued commuter traffic as a result of housing growth. All of the above is a distraction from the more pressing need for a new road to the west of Featherstone, Ackworth and Pontefract. This is part of the transport package in

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Wakefield Council’s Strategy for 1996! The scheme has the support of local councillors and the South East Link Road Action Group (SELRAG). This scheme formerly known as the South East Link Road has been renamed as the SFLR. It is difficult to comprehend why such slow progress is being made.

Derek Vaux Highways Group Secretary

Talks & Tours Group In January, we heard about “Hidden Pontefract” where David Wilcox gave us his usual level of energy, entertainment and historical facts on a virtual tour of Pontefract from our seats in the Nelson Room.

This included underground waterways, the need for pig licenses for the pig market, underground cellars in the town and the Hermitage, Pontefract Castle, St John’s Priory, St Richard’s Friary, and the much neglected and now long gone Old Hall/New Hall (depending how you describe it), an Elizabethan hall off Ferrybridge Road.

In March we had “What’s in a name”, from Anthony Poulton-Smith where we were taken on a meandering and entertaining journey around the UK, confirming where today’s place names originate from whether the sources come from Germanic, Latin, Anglo-Saxon and other languages. The talk ended with questions on places reminiscent to the enthusiastic audience, some local and some from further afield.

Donations & Bequests Have you thought of making a donation to Pontefract Civic Society during your lifetime, or leaving us some money in your will?

This newsletter and the Annual Reports on our website show the tremendous work the society and our members are doing to make Pontefract a better place. To continue our important work at its present level, or in fact expand it as we plan to do, then we have a pressing need for more resources.

The beneficial position of the society is both it’s independence and non-political stance, and that we do not rely of public sector grants to conduct our core activities. As the town’s watchdog on planning, architecture, heritage and public amenities, we can speak on behalf of those who live and work in Pontefract, without fear or favour.

We would be absolutely delighted if you would make a donation or a bequest. Both the Chair and the Secretary are available if you wish to discuss this in more detail.

Our April talk will be presented by local historian and public speaker, Eric Jackson, where we’ll hear about the many almshouses from Pontefract’s past.

Dave Hogg Talks & Tours Group Coordinator Registered charity number 513509

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2019 Events For 2019, our monthly talks will be in the Nelson Room of Pontefract Town Hall.

Tues 9 April

Eric Jackson

Talk: “The Kingdom of Alms”

Sat 13 April

Pontefract Community Showcase

Fri 3 May

Tour de Yorkshire (in collaboration with the community)

Tues 14 May

Paul Cartwright in Conversation with Allan R Blaza - 50 years of civic pride in Pontefract

Fri 24 May

PCS 50th Anniversary Celebration with DYJO Swing Band

Wed 29 May

Visit to Renewi, South Kirkby Household Waste Recycling Centre

Tues 4 June

Guided full-day visit to Halifax (Piece Hall, Borough Market and Town Hall) hosted by Halifax Civic Trust

Tues 11 June

Mollie Garbett

Talk: “The History of Methodism in Pontefract – From John Wesley to the present day”

Tues 9 July

Merran McCrae & Ian Harvey

Keynote Speakers: Civic Perspectives from the CEOs

Thurs 11 Jul

Afternoon Tea (Farmer Copleys)

Thur 18 July

Guided half-day visit to Howden hosted by Howden Civic Society

Tues 10 September

Antonino Vella

13-15 & 19-22 September

Heritage Open Days (various venues and events)

Tues 8 October

Eric Houlder

Sat 26 October

Hosting YHACS Regional Meeting

Tues 12 November

Roger Ellis

Talk: “Interpreting Pontefract at the Museum and Castle”

Talk: “Infrared Colour Aerial Photography in War, Local History, and Archaeology” “The Fletcher Rhodes Collaboration - Text by J S Fletcher with local drawings by GP Rhodes”

Executive Committee Contacts Chair

Paul Cartwright

01977 708658

chairman@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

Vice Chair

Phil Cook

07931700021

vicechair@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

Secretary

Karl Gilbert

07598336027

secretary@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

Treasurer

Ian Wood

07806 916 937

treasurer@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

Planning Group Coordinator

Peter Taylor

01977 703050

p.taylor569@btinternet.com

Rail Group & Talks & Tours Group Coordinator

David Hogg

07910564141

david.hogg1@live.co.uk

Co-opted & Pontefract in Bloom

Colin White

01977 795074

whitedrc@sky.com

Registered charity number 513509

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OTHER SOCIETY REPORTS bossed about or feel on the spot. Maybe you think group singing is all a bit cheesy/cliquey or serious?

Well, we do things a bit differently! We are self run, where everyone has a voice and we have a “no pressure” philosophy. Singing is also proven to be good for you, both physically and emotionally.

Pontefract Liquorice Singers The Liquorice Singers are a mixed age, mixed voice, prize winning singing group, performing in the local community for pleasure, for charity and for local and private events.

The Liquorice Singers were formed in 2010, initially as a small community singing group based in Pontefract. We are now 75% larger than when we started and growing rapidly, with a 44% increase in singers over the last 4 months. The name relates to Pontefract being the home of Liquorice, which is believed to have been introduced to the town by the monks during the Norman Conquest. Aptly, Liquorice is also reputed to be good for the vocal cords!

The Liquorice Singers are delighted to be invited to perform at events large & small, and have already done two performances in 2019, with much more planned for the coming year. We charge a small performance fee to cover our costs.

We are the friendliest people you will ever meet and always welcome new members! We vary in age and singing experience and come from a variety of backgrounds. We have teachers, office workers, bank managers, students and a vicar in our choir, with a range of other hobbies, from drama to crafts to ice skating!

All you need is enthusiasm!

We meet on Wednesdays, 4pm - 5.30pm upstairs at the Thorneycroft Centre, Halfpenny Lane, Pontefract.

To contact us, please email liquoricesingers@yahoo. com, find us on Facebook or visit our website at https:// liquoricesingers.wixsite.com/liquorice.

Rowena Dobson Musical Director At the close of our 50th Anniversary year, Pontefract Civic Society will be hosting a Christmas Concert with the Liquorice Singers at King’s Croft Hotel on Thurs 12 December. Details of ticket sales will be published nearer the time, but please put the date in your diary, now!

We are a local group for local people and welcome new members at any time of all ages, levels of ability and experience. You do not need to audition or be able to read music. You will learn a bit about music and using your voice and if you are an aspiring solo singer, you will be given an opportunity.

We operate a rolling membership with a small weekly rehearsal fee however, your first rehearsal is free.

Some people worry they can’t sing, that they will be Registered charity number 513509

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Regional Forum Key messages to the Civic Voice Board

1. Civic Societies are not at present statutory

Civic Voice High Streets Minister, Jake Berry MP & Craig Mackinlay MP, Chair of APPG for Civic Societies launched the new Civic Voice leaflet highlighting the work of Civic Voice members in championing the high street. Jake Berry MP said: “The recent High Street Report, led by Sir John Timpson, is a welcome addition to thinking on the future of the high street, but more consideration is also needed about how communities can play a role in placemaking. I am pleased to see Civic Voice and the APPG for Civic Societies highlighting the work of communities and National Civic Day on June 22nd.”

In February, Chair of Civic Voice, Joan Humble, led a delegation of civic society volunteers to a national conference hosted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Civic Voice was offered ten places to attend by MHCLG to ensure that communities had a voice in the debates throughout the day. Ian Harvey (CEO) was also asked by the Government to host a session on ‘Meaningful engagement with communities’.

Attendance at this conference was very timely and another success for Civic Voice which was offered more places to the conference than any other organisation outside of Government.

In response to a question from Joan Humble, Sir Roger Scruton, who is leading the Building Better Commission said; ‘We will be calling Civic Voice to give evidence to our work. It is important that we have the voice of the community involved.’ The Civic Voice delegates had the opportunity to talk to senior Government officials and key individuals involved in the delivery of housing, and their message was clear, that we need more effective and more meaningful engagement in the planning system.

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consultees on planning issues and consideration should be given as to whether there is a valid case to be made for this. There are many areas (approx.

30% of local authorities) where there is no civic society in existence.

2. The civic movement needs to become more

organised on planning and housing and some societies are in need of support to develop skills and expertise to manage effectively increasingly complex planning applications.

3. Viability Assessments – Regional Forum members are concerned that the process for producing these is not transparent and it is difficult to make constructive comments on them. There is a need for guidance or briefing on how to deal with them.

Paul Cartwright YHACS Trustee/Regional Forum Representative

Yorkshire & Humber Association of Civic Societies

AGM Harrogate The AGM took place on Saturday 26 January, at The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, where the Executive and the President were re-elected. Two presentations were delivered, 1) ‘Where Does Design Fit into the Planning System’ by Stephen Walker, Conservation Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and 2) www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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Yorkshire & Humber Association of Civic Societies

AGM Harrogate The AGM took place on Saturday 26 January, at The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, where the Executive and the President were re-elected. Two presentations were delivered, 1) ‘Where Does Design Fit into the Planning System’ by Stephen Walker, Conservation Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and 2) ‘Building Better, Building Beautiful - The Government Commission’ from Kevin Trickett.

The AGM closed with the announcements and presentations of the Peter Spawforth Excellence Awards for 2018; from the finalists the following winners were announced: 3rd - Whitby CS for their War Memorials project (£50 prize)

2nd - Addingham CS for the Four Becks project (£100 prize)

1st - Ripon CS for Ripon Reviewed (£200 prize and the Peter Spawforth Trophy)

Design Workshop 24 members of civic societies across the region including Paul Cartwright and Phil Cook attended this two-day workshop in early February at the Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield, hosted by YHACS and delivered by IntergreatPlus, a South Yorkshirebased social enterprise consultancy which focuses on urbanism and architecture.

Day 1 Design Background, Design Principles, & Design Tools Day 2 Housing Innovation & Co-Housing We were introduced to a number of useful tools and techniques on day 1, such as Building for life 12 (www.builtforlifehomes.org) Day 2’s co-housing content appeared to be less relevant unless schemes could be scaled up to achieve more volume, particularly to support affordable housing, though the case studies in Leeds and Sheffield were both relatively small. That said, these schemes based on community collaboration focus on have a common house or a common room, and shared spaces outdoors, too.

Future YHACS meetings and events: Summer, Sat 27 July, Selby Autumn, Sat 26 October, Pontefract

Registered charity number 513509

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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BOOKSHELF We have a number of local heritage and history publications for sale.

Our publications are now available for sale online, via email, phone and at selected shops in Pontefract.

Visit www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/shop to purchase online or contact us via: Phone: 01977 708658 Email: info@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/shop

£10 - Pontefract’s Chequered History

by Roger Ellis

£12.99 - Pontefract - Celebrating the Past; Looking to the Future

by Martin Lodge

£7 - The Prince of Wales Colliery

by Sir Bill O’Brien

£7 - Ancient Routes Through Pontefract

by Eric Houlder

Registered charity number 513509

£10 - The Railways of Pontefract in Days of Steam

by Peter Cookson

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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MEMBERSHIP 2019 2019 online membership is now open - tell your friends!

For 2019, we are going to trial reduced membership fees for individual members and couples at the same household; all we ask is that you are on email to achieve this special rate. Our plan is to significantly grow our membership, particularly with younger audiences who support strategy, and who will hopefully get involved.

Individual Member (with email)

£5

Individual Member (without email)

£15 £8

Joint Members (same address & with email) Joint Members (same address &

£20

without email) Bronze Business Member

£45

Silver Business Member

£95

Gold Business Member Honorary Membership

£195

Junior Civic Society Membership

Registered charity number 513509

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

No fee No fee

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With thanks to our business members...

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MYXOLOGY - Silver Member -

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- Bronze Member -

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Registered charity number 513509

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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What’s On in 2019 Sun 21 Apr

National Vintage Tractor Road Run

Farmer Copley’s

Sun 21 - Mon 22 Apr

St George’s Day

Pontefract Castle

Mon 22 Apr

Ackworth Half Marathon

Pontefract Town Hall

Sat 11 May

Pontefract Museum Q&A

Pontefract Town Hall

Sun 12 May

Wedding Fair

Pontefract Town Hall

Sun 19 May

Pontefract Classic Car Show

Pontefract Collieries FC

Sun 19 May

PoW Hospice Cyclothon

Pontefract Park

23 May – 2 Jun

Paulos Circus

Farmer Copleys

Sat 1 Jun

4th Generation Wrestling

Pontefract Town Hall

Sun 16 Jun

PoW Pontefract 10k

Sat 22 Jun

Proms at the Castle

Pontefract Castle

Sat 6 Jul

Armed Forces Day

Pontefract Park

Sun 7 Jul

Pontefract Liquorice Festival

Town Centre, Friarwood Valley Gardens & Pontefract Castle

Thurs 1 Aug

Yorkshire Day

Town Centre, Friarwood Valley Gardens & Pontefract Castle

Sat 10 Aug

PoW Pont Dance

Pontefract Town Hall

Sat 17 Aug

Friarwood Festival

Friarwood Valley Gardens

Sun 29 Sept

Pontefract Half Marathon

Sun 10 Nov

Remembrance Sunday

War Memorial

Mon 11 Nov

Remembrance Day

War Memorial

Acknowledgements: Photographs courtesy of Medlock Photography, Christine & Paul Cartwright and Michael Hirst.

Registered charity number 513509

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

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