PONTEFRACT VOICE October 2020
COPING WITH COVID-19
CHAIR’S REPORT Some trustees remain as busy as ever, managing current activities, preparing for the uncertain environment of 2021, and looking further into the future to ensure that Pontefract Civic Society becomes more resilient and sustainable. I have remained active attending webinars on the Planning White Paper and the ‘High Street’ from Civic Voice, the High Street Task Force, and Power to Change, plus two rail webinars from Railfuture, and a regional YHACS meeting with content from the planned hosts, if it had been a live visit, Halifax Civic Trust.
Aspire Leisure and Well-being Hub Update I’m sure we can all see that the building continues at a pace, and internal works are now progressing.
Meetings and phone calls have taken place as we continue to work for the best interests in Pontefract: • Phil Cook and I have had a phone call with the new marketing manager at Pontefract Academic Trust, as well as the WMDC Pontefract Delivery Group. • Anthony Dee and I have had a call with WMDC Highways representatives discussing potential projects, such as the A639, and the South Featherstone Link Road. • Phil and I had a socially distanced meeting with Lisa Grimbley and Emma Davies on the forthcoming Speciality Market which will be trialled on Sunday 22 November. We will want businesses to get involved as we approach the festive season, and we can definitely promise you something special! • Chris Davidson and colleagues from the Harworth Group hosted a site visit to the Prince of Wales Country Park site (on the former spoil heap) for our Planning Group (and others, Peter Taylor, Paul Cartwright, Peter Cookson & Dave Hogg), and ward councillors Malkin and Tennant; this was a very rewarding visit, and the views to Leeds city centre and the Vale of York from the summit were exceptional.
Registered charity number 513509
The opening date is currently planned for April 2021; an exact date is still to be confirmed, though it will likely be in the earlier part of the month. The building itself will actually be handed over to Wakefield MDC in late January 2021, which will then allow for equipment installation, staff training on the use of all the new plant and machinery, and to carry out testing so there are no surprises on opening day. I do hope that when it is possible, stakeholders will be allowed to have a site visit in the early part of 2021. An Opening Ceremony can’t be confirmed in the way we might expect it take place for such a significant asset, therefore plans will be made for both a large event, and a stripped back Covid event. In the meantime, the best way to keep up-todate on progress is to view the monthly drone footage from the Council; the latest footage can be viewed at https://www.dropbox.com/s/ sr9937sr5jenukm/5%20Towns%20Leisure%20 Hub%2014.mp4?dl=0 . www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Previous and future months can also be found at https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/sport-healthand-leisure/leisure-centres-and-facilities/aspirepark. The team are also now taking enquiries from groups that may be interested in running any kind of activity from the new facility. Please feel free to email danniallbrighton@wakefield.gov.uk, General Manager for Aspire@ThePark.
Design Awards 2020 Whilst we have a short list of nominees, bringing forward some projects has clearly been impacted by Covid-19, and therefore, we have made the decision not to hold an awards ceremony which was planned for January, 2021, and we will defer this until January 2022. At that time, hopefully with Covid-19 out of the way, and more projects having completed, we will present two separate sets of awards for 2020 and 2021 (each year up to 31st Oct). This also begs the question of what to do about our AGM in February, which we may defer until later in 2021. Once we see what the government restrictions are on events and gatherings as we get into 2021, then we will make the decision on whether to hold an online AGM in the spring, or whether to hold our AGM in the usual manner later in the year, in line with the requirements of the Charity Commission.
Getting out and about I have also visited a number of leisure sites across the region with my wife, Christine, for exercise, personal well-being, live music and historical and architectural interest. These have included Ripon Cathedral, Skelton Lake Services (Leeds), Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Brodsworth Hall, Cannon Hall Country Park, Cusworth Hall, and castles in Bolsover, Sandal and Pontefract. In early September, we also had a short break just outside Filey, so we took the opportunity to go to Registered charity number 513509
Pickering Castle, Whitby Abbey, and the villages of Sandsend and Sledmere. Whilst I do try and also go for short run at least twice a week, I have been motivated to turn that into supporting the Royal British Legion by registering for their ‘Tommy 10k’ sponsored fundraiser, which I’m doing each week for four weeks. So far I’ve raised £200, but you can still help the RBL via my Facebook page, or by contacting me.
Honorary Secretary I reported that our Secretary, Karl Gilbert, will be leaving our Board of Trustees, and whilst we are on the lookout for members with IT skills to step up to the plate, we are conducting a review with a view to splitting the responsibilities which Karl has gathered and created over the years. Our current thinking is evolving, though I can provide the initial shape of things to come, which may create opportunities for members to take on parts of the current role, or for nonmembers to come and join us which will help take the civic society forward. I will therefore give an indication of the remit and skills, though this remains flexible at this stage:
Role
Skills
Remit
Honorary Secretary
Administration
Charity officer, servicing the Board, correspondence
Technology Lead
WordPress, Issuu, Google Suite including email lists, Airtable, Trello
Website strategy, integrating systems, publishing newsletters and other content
Creative Lead
Adobe InDesign
Creation of design templates, newsletters, leaflets, posters
Paul Cartwright Chair www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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COPING WITH COVID-19 – the business community We all know these are difficult times for everyone, for families, including the survival of many businesses, and some of our buildings in the town will inevitably change uses. In most cases, we need to embrace that change in order for the town to evolve, and to create an environment where people can live, work, visit, and socialise in the better times to come. Whilst some remain uncertain, there’s many more positive initiatives taking place from our local business entrepreneurs: • Edinburgh Woollen Group’s financial issues will have some impact on their brands in Pontefract, Peacock’s and Bon Marche • Salter Row continues to breathe new life into the town, as Clarke’s shoes is being prepared for a new tenant, Peter Jones appears to be under new management, and we understand that there is interest the former H Samuel’s site • Park Row estate agent’s Georgian building, reputed to have designed by Nostell Priory Clerk of Works, James Paine, is undergoing a significant exterior conservation project using traditional skilled tradesmen • The former post office on Ropergate has two planning applications which will maintain the ground floor as commercial office spaces, whilst the remainder of the site will be converted in self-contained flats • Virgo Fashions on Beastfair has been working on creating a large display window onto Shoemarket, which will certainly improve that frontage • A number of pubs and cafes have sought to change the food offerings on different days and times, whilst some will be reintroducing a takeaway service Registered charity number 513509
• The Magistrates Market has just reopened the café, so you can now enjoy refreshments again whilst browsing through furniture, silverware, vintage clothing, mirrors, cutlery & crockery, paintings & prints, artisan crafts and much, much more • The Tap & Barrel is under new management • Gelato Creamery is now smaller, though the building owner has immediately created a separate unit, which is already tenanted by Kink Kingz (tattoo and piercing business) • The Robin Hood is seeing a significant refurbishment of the site with Dean’s craftsmen working on making use of the 1st floor, attic, stables and yard. They have also opened the small takeaway service at Henry Smith’s on Front Street • The Printers Draft is nearing completion though it has just delayed its official opening, but it’s certainly looking good so far • Out of town, The Range, the home, leisure and garden store plans, to take three vacant units on the Park Retail complex, and their planning application also includes a café, which might prove useful as an overspill for some customers depending on the capacity at the Leisure Hub café in 2021 • We’re also pleased that a Speciality Market will take place on Sun 22 November. To have different themed markets on different days and times, is something we’ve been asking for over the past few years to enhance our ‘market town offer’ The following quotes have formed the basis of our recent work with the Pontefract Castleford Express supporting and engaging with our local businesses, whilst also arranging a number of photoshoots. We have also shared similar www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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support for these businesses and many others on social media, which in earlier months have featured Maud’s Café, DJ’s, The Coffee Lounge, The Blue Bell, and The Liquorice Bush. It’s important, even in these difficult times we don’t turn our backs on our town centre and its wealth of independent family businesses.
Tu Kitchen, Gillygate “I moved to Pontefract from Oxford almost 4 years ago, by meeting Tu Ueajamnong. While working at The Elephant for two or three years, I covered a manager’s holiday running the pub and during entertainment night we put a spread on the bar and Tu cooked Thai food for them. We got so many great comments and have been recommended that we should try selling our food; and that’s how we got here.
loved Prosecco tap”. “The salon is named after our miniature Dachshund, Olive, who spends her days there with us, being fussed by all our lovely clients”. “Lockdown was both a difficult time and a blessing for me. It was so hard being unable to work and to earn money to live, but it also gave me the time to dedicate to actually creating the salon I’d always wanted”.
Annie Scott
We’re doing so well, that we decided to find a small place in the town centre”.
Joey Nicolson
Olive & Co, Gillygate “I started my hairdressing career in Pontefract at 2’s Company. I then went on to train with Toni & Guy and worked in their salons in Wakefield, Leeds and for a couple of years in the Middle East (Saudi). During lockdown I struggled with not being able to work - Hair really is my passion and it was a big thing for me to have to stop doing what I loved. My partner Craig encouraged me to start looking at potential buildings to buy, but by chance saw a ‘to let’ sign in the window of what is now Olive & Co”. “We completed the refurbishment of the salon in 3 weeks. There were long days and sleepless nights, but it was 100% worth it to create a beautiful shared space for myself and other self-employed beauty professionals. We have some little features in there to set us apart from the other salons in the area, including the much Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Comment from Pontefract Civic Society Chair, Paul Cartwright (10 Sept) “Both Tu’s Kitchen and Olive & Co., are living proof, bucking the trend in not only starting new businesses in the Covid-19 crisis, but they’ve opened shops on Gillygate, Pontefract, which continues to be a thriving place for independent businesses. This proves that the “high street” is not dead, and some business owners are prepared to make tough decisions and take the plunge into having a physical presence.” “We acknowledge Pontefract has empty shops, some which are too large for today’s retail trends, though the vast majority of other buildings which have become empty are soon reopening with other shops and service uses, which is great for the town, our residents and visitors. We are aware of continued interest in Pontefract from investors and business owners who are waiting to take a shop, which is great.”
Alley c*zam, off Ropergate “We wanted to ensure that we did everything in our power to protect both our customers and Staff. Therefore right from opening after lockdown we have had a track and trace system in place, we removed everything from the tables except a laminated menu, tables and chairs are sanitised after every party. We have adopted table service only and all our staff have worn masks whilst in close proximity to customers right from reopening”. “Unfortunately to get enough distance between tables we have had to remove a third of our seating and have adopted a back to back approach to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 spread. We also fitted a sensor light to our toilets to indicate when they are occupied or not. Customers have responded pretty well to the new mask wearing rules although we are Registered charity number 513509
constantly reminding them to put their masks on when using the toilets. We are also helping a lot of our less tech customers to download the NHS Covid-19 app and showing them how to check in using the QR code. Most customers have been fabulous, we have just had the odd one not wanting to do track and trace, but they usually come round in the end. We are finding that people have got used to booking a table as we are often full at lunchtime. This helps us manage the flow of customers better”.
Caroline Andrews-Bairstow
Phil Cook, Vice Chair, Pontefract comment “Caroline and the Alley c*zam team have done a great job in strictly adhering to government guidelines, and I would highly recommend the cafe bar to anyone”.
Cromwell’s Tea Rooms, Maud’s Yard “We have a varied menu from breakfast, brunch, lunches and afternoon teas, and all our menus are available on our Facebook page”. “We have been constantly monitoring the government guidelines and implementing measures accordingly. This past week we have implemented the QR codes and compulsory face coverings along with all the other COVID measures we already have in place! All our customers have been very supportive and brilliant at following all the measures we implement!”
Michael Pennock
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Farmer Copleys “Since the very start of lockdown when we closed the café and opened the drive-thru and click & collect service, we’ve been adapting and changing to the guidance from the government, so we like to think we’re almost experts here at Farmer Copleys”. “When we re-opened Moo Café, we took a little longer than others because we felt we wanted to get it right and not just rush to get open as soon as possible. Of course, the safety of our team and customers is always our priority so we take the guidance very seriously. Our team are all wearing face coverings, there is plenty of sanitiser available, our booking system lends itself to only accepting bookings of a maximum of 6 too, so we have had no trouble there and we took some tables out to accommodate social distancing”. “The café has been incredibly popular since we re-opened and people who visit have commented on how safe they felt – something we’ve had some really amazing feedback about” “With last week’s news we now have signs on the door reminding people of mask wearing until seated and when visiting the toilets etc and our greeter is there to remind people too. Both our wonderful staff and customers have been on the whole very understanding of the ever changing situation, which has helped make everyone’s trip to Moo Café a safe & pleasant one”.
Heather Copley
Registered charity number 513509
Comment from Pontefract Civic Society Chair, Paul Cartwright (1 Oct) “Throughout these extraordinary times we’ve seen businesses adapting to the ever changing pandemic guidance, whether that had meant one-way systems, visors & face coverings, to signage and some reluctantly trying their hand at online shopping”. “Being innovative, embracing technology and accepting that change is essential are all ways that businesses in Pontefract have ensured they are not simply surviving, but shifting to being sustainable in the toughest of economic climates in a century”.
Comment from Pontefract Civic Society Chair, Paul Cartwright (15 Oct) “Whether people are moving around the region, socially or for work, Covid-19 is a very difficult issue to manage, and therefore wherever lines are drawn geographically based on local authorities there will be problems for some people”. “The rules are there, which we should all abide by without looking for loopholes, which does then mean it is tough for those in busy, especially hospitality. However, Pontefract town centre remains moderately business, and one of our members commented that our Wednesday market remains full with traders. Pontefract’s level of ‘voids’ (empty shops) remains in a good place at 8.2%, well below 12.9% nationally, and even further below the 18% which represents some towns and centres where large chains are phasing reopening. Pontefract has also increased the number of units being used by business, which is a tremendous boost, too”. www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Covid-19 Calendar 2021 Registered Charity No: 514999
Whatever your skills or interests, we have something for everyone!
lunteer at o v o t s n o s a Re our shops! 1.
Hospice Support the
2.
ople Meet new pe
erience skills and exp w e n in a G 3. d boost wellbeing an e v ro p Im 4. confidence r CV Improve you 5.
www.pwh.org.uk/volunteer
In association with local artist, Rachel List, and The Prince of Wales Hospice, our calendar sales are going well, and we are at a stage where all surplus proceeds will be donated to the Hospice. The 2021 Calendar priced £7.50 (+p&p) can be purchased online https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/ product/pontefract-calendar-2021/ though orders and walk-in purchases can be collected from Suzi’s Boutique, Michelle’s Flowers, Maud’s Café, and the Prince of Wales Hospice shop on Cornmarket.
Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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COMMITTEE REPORTS Citizenship Group Over the past few years, a dedicated group of people have come tighter to create the Pontefract Decoration Squad, made up of a number of like-minded local people, who all want to promote and see Pontefract prosper. Most, though not all are members of the civic society, but they are involved in local groups or businesses. Yet, they share a common pride in Pontefract. While this year has seen many of our plans change or be put ‘on hold’, earlier this year, you’ll recall seeing the Town Hall façade dressed for both VE Day and VJ Day. As we are quickly approaching Remembrance Day, the squad is now actively turning their attention to mark this occasion with a suitable decoration to be placed in Pontefract, supported with contributions from the wider community, such as FAB, and Featherstone Brownies and Guides. The decoration will be reusing the base of pop bottles and you can all help by contributing home-made plastic poppies for the decoration piece that we’ll collectively create (details on how to make the poppies can be seen on our Facebook page, as well as a list of drop-off locations. Pontefract as you will know was a garrison town, and during the times of conflict saw many of its locals go off to war; also it was a training centre for recruits. With its strong military association and the cancellation of Remembrance events up and down the county, it is only right that in agreement with the Ackworth & Pontefract RBL Branch, we ensure that Pontefract marks this occasion. Earlier in this special year, we set up a new Facebook page to bring together information initially on the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, to which we also later added VJ Day. We are now adapting the page for you the public to leave Registered charity number 513509
memories and tributes to family members who served in the military or civilian support services, and also those who were affected by any conflict. Search Facebook for ‘VJ Day and VE Day 75th Anniversary Celebrations Pontefract & District’. While we all have had to adjust to a new way of working, I’m pleased to be able to report that the Citizenship Group is still functioning and created a new first for Pontefract Civic Society; like all Exec and group meetings, we met online, though I chaired the meeting sat on a campsite in Ludlow, while enjoying the outdoor sun. This demonstrates that anything is possible, especially if we are committed to carry on as close to normal as we can: • 2021 calendar second print run received for the Rachel List/Prince of Wales Hospice calendar • Initial ideas are being looked into for our 2022 calendar • Joint working has continued with St Giles with St Mary’s Pantomime Society during Heritage Days • We are in discussions with St Giles CofE Academy, and Pontefract Academic Trust following on from Heritage Open Days with a view to creating a new book • Our engagement for Pontefract’s markets continues through the autumn, including the Speciality Market on 22 November, and our discussions will continue with Wakefield MDC in 2021 • Our plans which are on-hold from VE Day 2020 may be delivered in 2021, depending on government restrictions Phil Cook Citizenship Group Coordinator
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videos, and we created a very well-received new narrated slide show of Pontefract Town (thanks to Linda Benson-Henfrey), and a new Google Maps activity called ‘100 metres of Bridge Street’ complete with archive photographs backed up by loads historical facts (thanks to Phil Cook and Phil Henfrey). We were definitely learning on the job, with new technologies and skills for our small team.
Heritage Group When we started to deliver this year’s Heritage Open Days festival, it was somewhat different to what we had planned, even after reducing some of the face to face activities. Changes to Covid social distancing guidelines immediately prior to the festival forced our Heritage Group to take the tough decision with withdraw all planned face to face activities, rightly or wrongly. We already knew that we had to be creative, which has meant we’ve been busier as ever working behind the scenes to create content for what we thought would be a blended approach with lots of online content delivering virtual activities on Facebook @pontefractcivic, whilst retaining six live socially distanced events (five in Pontefract and one in Ackworth), plus a ‘live’ talk on Zoom by Eric Houlder, ‘The Discovery of Domesday Pontefract’; all live events were being booked via the Eventbrite website.
Well, we did say in the last issue of Pontefract Voice that the programme was “subject to change”!
Post reach for Pontefract Civic Society during Heritage Open Days 2019 - an increase of just below 700 views over a ten day period.
We are really pleased that our partnership approach has the support of St. Giles with St. Mary’s Pantomime Society, Pontefract Heritage Group, Ackworth School, Tom Dixon (though Tom fell ill and withdrew), and Wakefield Council. We had our own members ready as volunteers for events, but also they did actually work hard to share our virtual content, whilst also ensuring Post reach for Pontefract Civic Society during Heritage that the content was informative, engaging, and Open Days 2020 - an increase of just over 3000 views fun. over a ten day period. This is an 10x increase from the Every day we delivered a range of different slideshows, historical facts, children’s activities, and videos. The panto society gave us informative yet humorous performance-based Registered charity number 513509
previous year.
Paul Cartwright Interim Heritage Group Coordinator www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Talks & Tours Group All ‘live’ talks and visits are suspended for the foreseeable future. We have been having web based talks using Zoom, which have gone very well, and I am currently booking online speakers for our 2021 programme. We have started to record the talks (where speakers give their permission) and we have had ex-pats overseas enquiring about recorded talks so that presentations can be viewed at a convenient time. In the summer, we had significant interest from non-members with people attending from across Yorkshire and beyond, and we hope that continues, though it is a shame that some of our own members have either decided not to join us online, or that a minority do not operate online, at all. Bookings have varied from between 40 and 60 per talk, though everyone booked doesn’t always show up. On a positive, here are some examples of the feedback thus far, and we do hope this encourages more people to participate. “This is not flattery, but I am so impressed by the Chair, Paul Cartwright and civic society colleagues in giving these lectures when it could have been so easy to wait and see when Covid-19 is all over. That is my pride in being the Civic Society’s Patron - always forward looking even in the most difficult times. Best Wishes”.
Michael Sayles-Fox DL “Thank you for a very interesting Barnbow talk”.
Angie de Courcy Bower. “Once again my compliments on your imagination in trying to negotiate a way around the current problems and I’m so glad it went well”.
Ian Hutchinson
Registered charity number 513509
“The Vikings talk by Prof Joyce Hill was brilliant. We thought it worked very well via Zoom, and we will certainly attend future online talks. It’s certainly a way forward for members who are housebound or infirm, or who for other reasons, would not be able to attend a talk in the Town Hall.”
Graham & Susan Dean. “Thank you, for organising such a splendid evening on Wednesday 26th August - Vikings in Yorkshire. The topic was compellingly interesting and the speaker excellent. I watched the lecture with fellow member, Brian Langley, and we both agreed this was a highlight on the lecture series”.
Dr Martin Johnson. “EXCELLENT TALK! My family are purported to be Viking descendants, so it was extra informative”.
Peter Spawforth. Our remaining talk for this year is “The Gunpowder Plot” by local public speaker, Eric Jackson; these talks are free to civic society members, and these will be switched to live presentations when conditions allow. We urge non-members to go to the Eventbrite website and follow the registration process to book our online talks. Civic society for the moment can email chairman@ pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk for free places. We are also starting to formulate our 2021 schedule, which you’ll some of the topics shown later in this issue of Pontefract Voice. Dave Hogg Talks & Tours Group Coordinator
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Highways Group Pontefract Civic Society continues to support the Ackworth-based South East Link Road Action Group (SELRAG) and the need for the South Featherstone Link Road, which is designed to improve the north-south routes through the east of the district, taking increasing volumes of traffic away from the A628 and A639 through Pontefract. Data recently found does confirm that the A639 between Town End and junction 32 M62 is one of the busiest routes in the district. Here’s a letter I wrote from SELRAG to the Pontefract & Castleford Express, which the civic society supports, though we are pains to stress that we do want a new road to create residential and commercial development. As well as the above major issues for Pontefract, we have campaigned for 10 years plus, for this secondary bridge (photo) to be brought back up to standard including higher parapet walls to enable pedestrians and cyclists to have a safer level route to the station, also linking to the ‘Pontefract Knottingley Connect’ cycle path. We would have preferred this to be a bus route though that was thwarted when the former Maltings site was handed over to a housing developer. We must now continue to push for this route to be used, as described earlier, especially as more building is currently going on.
Derek Vaux Highways Group Secretary
Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Rail Group As was reported to us recently from Wakefield MDC, and published in the Pontefract & Castleford Express, details are emerging of the proposed style of lifts and stairs to provide full and better access across platforms 1 and 2 at Pontefract Monkhill station, funded via West Yorkshire Combined Authority under the Department for Transport ‘Accessibility for All’ funding package. The proposed design looks very pleasing to the eye, and hopefully this will be in operation by the summer of 2022, following installation by Northern Rail with support from Network Rail. We are pressing to see more details on the precise location on the platform, in the hope that it does not preclude further enhancement to the station in the decades to come. The service on the Baghill line resumed in September, to a similar timetable as previously, but with no Sunday service; we are requesting this is re-instated with more user-friendly timings. We are also hopeful of a meeting with Yvette Cooper MP to help us achieve this. This is of course, another very interesting period for the railway industry, where facemasks are now compulsory and the Government is still
Registered charity number 513509
discouraging rail travel. It appears the current franchising system has collapsed, with the Government bank-rolling the operators for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, we continue to hold our monthly Rail Group meetings on Zoom, and I am attending an online meeting of the Wakefield District Consultation SubCommittee (DCSC) this month, which I hope will give us some much needed information on the future of Northern Rail and our services. Furthermore, after well over a year’s absence, we’ve continued to request a meeting with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, WMDC, and train operating companies, which is due in early November. Over recent months, Peter Cookson has been really active writing letters to both Grand Central Trains and East Midlands Trains, seeking greater support from the former for a ‘proper’ daily service to and from London, and from the latter to offer our support for their potential future interest in a modest weekend service pattern between Sheffield and York calling at Pontefract Baghill. Once we know more on these matters, we’ll share the news with you. Dave Hogg Rail Group Coordinator
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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OTHER SOCIETY REPORTS
Pontefract in Bloom 2020 Despite Covid-19 Pontefract in Bloom Summer 2020 was delivered and the Town Centre was enhanced by attractive floral displays in 23 planters, 31 hanging baskets and flower beds by St Giles’ Church and in the Valley Gardens. In previous years we have collaborated with Day Opportunities at Thornes Park to grow our plants and recruited volunteers to help with the planting but because of the lock-down this was not possible. We arranged for First Impressions Nurseries to take in the planters and they were planted and grown on under cover at the nurseries; this meant that when the planters were reinstalled in June the plants were well established and already giving a good display. This also reduced the amount of damage to the planting by vandalism as the established plants are difficult to pull out. Even so, a couple of the tiered planters in the Market Place were tipped over in July by late night drinkers and one had to be retrieved as the planting could not be resuscitated. The cost of planting and planter maintenance was therefore significantly greater this summer and our sponsor income was reduced because many town centre businesses were unable to trade.
and flower beds this summer was £4,272. The balance sheet for Pontefract in Bloom is available on our website: www.pontefractinbloom.btck. co.uk. The summer season has now ended and most of the planters have been retrieved by First Impressions Nurseries for winter storage. The Pontefract in Bloom Committee decided not to do winter planting this autumn in order to conserve our funds in view of the uncertainty for our finances in 2021. The few remaining planters will be planted for winter as well as the St Giles’ Church and Valley Gardens flower beds. We are now planning for a great floral display in summer 2021. Dr Colin White Chair
We were fortunate with grant income however, receiving £1,000 from WDH, £2,000 from Wakefield Council’s Neighbourhood Improvement Fund and £1,166 Tesco “Bags of Help” grant. We also purchased bedding plants for flower beds in the Valley Gardens and St Giles’ Church. The total cost for planters Registered charity number 513509
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Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens 2020 is the 70th anniversary year for the Valley Gardens but our plans for celebrating it were frustrated by the pandemic. We had planned to commemorate the start of the development of the Valley Gardens which happened in March 1950 and is recorded by a stone plaque located at the Town End entrance but have postponed most of our plans until next year. In fact the official opening of the Valley Gardens was in 1951, coinciding with the Festival of Britain that year, so there is still a 70th birthday to celebrate next year. As Covid-19 shows no sign of disappearing soon it may not be possible to organise a commemorative event in 2021 but we have plans for permanent memorials of the 70th event. We have already installed a “memory tree� board on the Pinhole Camera (former aviary) and there will be two history boards to be installed later. Two inscribed commemorative granite benches will be in place before the end of 2020. We plan to improve the main Southgate entrance with an entrance arch and the railings along Southgate will be renovated. The Valley Gardens being 70 years old means that most of the trees are mature and some are at the end of their natural life. Six dead trees will be removed this autumn, to be replaced with new planting, for which we have a waiting list of sponsors. Wherever possible as much of the dead tree as possible will be preserved for wood carving.
backlog of gardening maintenance especially in the Rose Garden, the committee decided to hold our volunteer gardening sessions every Saturday afternoon, 1.30 – 3.30pm after the clocks go back. We hope that the regular weekly sessions will encourage more volunteers. The monthly Sunday litter-picking has also restarted: the first Sunday every month at 10.30am. We welcome new volunteers - we provide the tools but please bring your own gloves. Social distancing is observed during our gardening and litter-picking sessions but it is still rewarding community involvement. All the 2020 events were cancelled: Easter Egg Hunt, Liquorice Festival, Yorkshire Day, Friarwood Festival and the Lantern Festival. The dates for next year are in the diary and hopefully spring and summer 2021 will see a return to normal social life. Dr Colin White Chair
During the four month lock-down earlier this year volunteer activities were suspended but we were able to restart in July. Because of a Registered charity number 513509
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Pontefract Heritage Partnership
Friends of Pontefract Park The group has not been able to hold any meetings since March and has not been active apart from litter picking: every Wednesday at 10am - meet by the playground (litter pickers and bags provided, bring your own gloves). The flower beds have not been planted and it will not be possible to do any bulb planting this autumn. Post-pandemic there will be the opportunity for renewal of the group which is seriously struggling – only a handful of elderly active members. Dr Colin White Vice Chair
The current derelict state of the old Dispensary and the absence of any sign of progress have probably led most people to assume that this project is dead but in fact 2019/20 has seen some positive progress. In September 2019 Wakefield Council commissioned a feasibility study to explore the options for the development of the Dispensary site, including the residual PGI demolition site. The options appraisal document was published in December and a working group of the stakeholders: the Council, Mid Yorkshire Trust and PHP started to work on the options early this year but unfortunately Covid-19 intervened and slowed progress. The Dispensary site was also one of the seven areas in the town included in the Pontefract Masterplan. PHP in the meantime is revising its business plan which we felt would not be viable in the postpandemic economy. We have been successful in obtaining a grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund for professional fees to support this work. Once there is a clear plan and timeline for the site PHP will be launching a publicity campaign to generate community support for the project. Dr Colin White Chairman
Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Ackworth & Pontefract Royal British Legion
Virtual Pontefract Lantern Festival 2020 Thank you to everyone who got involved. Keep adding your photographs to our Facebook page, and we’ll create a montage of all images as a memory of our virtual festival. Lioness Karen Heywood President Lantern Festival Coordinator
The Royal British Legion has led the national act of Remembrance since 1921. Over the years the people of Pontefract have loyally joined us in the Act of Remembrance. In recent times the Remembrance Sunday parade and wreath-laying ceremony has been hugely supported. It is with great sadness that this year we are unable to have a parade or a ceremony. However “We will Remember Them” in a quiet and dignified way. We encourage you, in your own time, to visit the war memorial, spend a quiet moment there and lay your own tribute if you wish. The restrictions imposed by COVID do not prevent us from remembering the sacrifices made for us. If anything they make the occasion even more poignant. Poppies and Poppy merchandise will be available for a donation at British Legion Poppy Stalls in Pontefract at Tesco’s and Morrison’s 28th to 31st October and 4th to 7th November from 10 am to 4 pm. Also there will be a Poppy Stall in Pontefract Market on 28th and 31st October and 4th and 7th November. 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. Wear your poppy with pride. Brian Berry President
Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Virtual Annual Exhibition Pontefract Art Club has like many other local organisations, had to temporarily suspend their weekly meetings. However our members continue to be creative which is essential for our well-being and general health. Thanks to technology and social media, each week since March, weekly tasks have been set ranging from paintings of the local area, VE celebration sketches, colour tasks, and the production of cards for The Prince of Wales Hospice. We, as a club, felt it was important to support our local hospice and thanks to the support from Michelle Grainger at Michelle's Flowers, we have raised over £400 from the sale of paintings and cards. This year our exhibition is ‘Virtual’. The paintings are on show on Facebook and we hope to raise more funds for the hospice by selling some of them. The Art Club has plans to reopen next year but till then we will continue to paint and show what we do on social media. If you want to know more, email: pontefractart@yahoo.com. Rhona Chrichton Secretary and Treasurer
Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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2021 Provisional Fixtures
St Giles Church We are gradually opening up again with the church open for worship offering two services a week, Parish Eucharist on Sunday at 10.15am and Weekday Mass on Wednesday at 9.30am. We are also open for private prayer and lighting of candles on Wednesday between 10.00am and 11.30am and Friday 12.00pm - 1.00pm. Both services are currently livestreamed on our Facebook page too, together with a weekly Compline service on Thursday at 8.00pm. The St Giles Centre is now open for bookings with all users requiring to follow the strict Government guidelines for their various activities within a community facility. Any enquiries can be made by telephoning 01977 790448 or by email to :
Due to the effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has not yet published a fixture list for 2021, though there is a list of fixtures “provisionally” allocated to us. The BHA has said they intend to publish a list of fixtures for the first four months (i.e. up to and including April) by the end of this month. The BHA has also said we can publish the list of proposed fixtures from May onwards but must make it clear these are subject to their formal approval at some (as yet unspecified) later date. All fixtures are subject to final approval by the British Horseracing Authority. This will depend primarily on the rules and regulations in force at the relevant time to deal with the Covid-19 Pandemic and its effects on the racing industry. April
6th (Easter) Tuesday 19th Monday 28th Wednesday
May
28th Friday evening
June
7th Monday evening 20th Sunday (Fathers’ Day)
stgilescentrepontefract@gmail.com
28th Monday July
6th Tuesday 16th Friday evening 25th Sunday
August
4th Wednesday (Ladies Day) 15th Sunday
September
16th Thursday 23rd Thursday
October
4th Monday 18th Monday
Norman Gundill MBE Managing Director Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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2020/2021 Event Calendar 2020 Tuesday Talks All talks will be delivered online via Zoom. 3 Nov
Eric Jackson
The Gunpowder Plot
2020 Events Fri 6 Nov
WMDC Food, Arts & Crafts Market
Sun 8 Nov
Remembrance Sunday
Weds 11 Nov
Remembrance Day
Sun 22 Nov
WMDC Speciality Market (10am-6pm)
Mon 7 Dec
Liquorice Singers Christmas Concert - Cancelled
2021 Talks COMING SOON!! Heritage, social history, local subjects and those from further afield, plus entertaining speakers. The following are already confirmed: Tues 11 May
David Skillern
The Many Behind the Few
Tues 8 Jun
Prof. Joyce Hill
Medieval Leeds
Tues 13 Jul
Helen Berriman
Yorkshire Air Ambulance
On top of those, here’s what we hope to bring you next year, though all require negotiations with the speakers: • The History of Rowntree’s • Pontefract’s Broken Bridge • Votes for Women • Pontefract Murders • Mrs Fawcett’s Handbag – A suffragette’s tale (a performance piece) • Barnbow Lasses
Other talks will be added, and once we can switch from online to ‘live’ events at the town hall, you’ll be the first to know. 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 local heritage publications are available for sale online. 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
£11- Pontefract’s Chequered History
£12.99 - Pontefract - Celebrating the Past; Looking to the Future
£10 - The Railways of Pontefract in Days of Steam
£7 - The Prince of Wales Colliery
£7 - Ancient Routes Through Pontefract
£13 - The J.S. Fletcher G.P. Rhodes Collaboration
We also have a stock of quality branded pens for just £1.00, and lapel badges at £3.00. Please show your support for Pontefract Civic Society; let’s get noticed! Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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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.
MEMBERSHIP Our next year’s membership for brand new members is now open on our website for 2021 online membership; this offer allows immediate membership, so the rest of 2020 is free, and we’ll record payments towards 2021 membership through to 31 December, 2021. Also tell your friends, and for the first new member you recruit, we’ll give you £5 back! For more information on becoming a member, please visit http://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/shop Individual Member
£15
Joint Members (same address)
£20
Bronze Business Member
£22.50 / £45 inc. donation
Silver Business Member
£47.50 / £95 inc. donation
Gold Business Member
£97.50 / £195 inc. donation
Community Group Member
£20
Honorary Membership
No fee
Junior Civic Society Member
No fee
WELCOME to the following new members:
Contacts *Executive Committee Member
• Val Rushton • George & Tracy Gott • Pontefract Art Club
Chair & Heritage Group Coordinator
*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
Heritage Open Days Coordinator
Philip Henfrey
01977 798517
henfreyphilip@gmail.com
Highways Group Coordinator
Anthony Dee
01977 701866
anthony.deefamily@gmail.com
Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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Creatively collating information and designing posters and other materials
Conducting heritage research
Keeping our website up to date with new content aligned to our current action and social media output
Creating digital content for virtual events using Microsoft Video Editor to support slideshows and videos, and creative presentations
Creating a bank of new photographs of the town, the civic society, and of our members
‌.and many more opportunities
Members are welcome to get involved in any of work, and if you are unsure, then speak to those currently involved. Whether you have a passing interest, a skill, knowledge from other community groups or your day job, then we need your support. You could sit in on a meeting, or shadow another team member.
Give it a go! You might enjoy it. Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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PARTNERS Wakefield Cultural Consortium
Yorkshire Coalfields Community Rail Partnership
Acknowledgements: Editor: Paul Cartwright
Proof Reader: Mollie Garbett
Creative & Artwork: Jaydn Edwards
Photographs courtesy of Medlock Photography, Paul Cartwright, Phil Cook, Colin White and Craig Willoughby
Registered charity number 513509
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
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