Chance to celebrate city’s heritage at Yorkshire Day history fayre

A fascinating Victorian book rescued from a skip by a local history group will be among the items on show at a special celebration of the city’s heritage on Yorkshire Day.

The book, an auction catalogue of Kirkstall Abbey land from 1888, was saved by members of the Aireborough Historical Society and charts the history of Kirkstall and the abbey.

The text is one of a number of pieces that will be presented by society member Carlo Harrison during his talk at Leeds Museums and Galleries’ history fayre, which will be held in Leeds City Museum’s Brodrick Hall on Aug 1 from 12pm-4pm.

Carlo, one of five guest speakers on the day, will focus on the importance of preserving historical documents and artefacts during his talk entitled Archiving the Past for the Future.

He said: “One of our followers on Facebook got in touch to say she had found this book in a building that was being renovated in Bradford and it was going to be thrown in the skip.

“It’s a beautiful book and something that really emphasises the importance of preserving things that illustrate the past.

“We have to archive the past so that future generations can look back and enjoy and understand things that are an important part of their heritage.”

As well as the book, Carlo will give members of the public the chance to see the MBE of Yeadon-born Martha Chippendale, who devoted her life to the Salvation Army until her death in 1926.

Other speakers on the day will include Des Hurley of the Irish Arts Foundation, who will give a talk entitled Untold Stories: The Leeds Irish Community and Eveleigh Bradford of the Thorseby Society, whose talk will be on Headingley: From Village to Suburb.

Family history tutor Jackie Depelle will give a talk on Researching Yorkshire Ancestors and Sue Ottley-Hughes of the Friends of Stank Hall Barn will speak about the archaeology of Stank Hall and Stank Hall Barn.

Around 17 local history groups will also be attending on the day, with the opportunity to visit their stalls, and a selection of historic images of Leeds will also be shown on the museum’s big screens during the event.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“Yorkshire Day is the perfect time to celebrate our city’s history and I’m sure these talks will give a fascinating insight into the rich and varied heritage of some of our communities.

“Leeds is full of compelling stories and the passion of our local history societies will really help to shine a light on some of the city’s untold stories. I hope everyone will come along and join in the celebrations for Yorkshire Day and maybe learn something new about where they live.”

For more details about the event, visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/Events/Pages/local-history-fayre.aspx

ENDS

For media enquiries or for more information, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk