COMMUNITY / BUSINESS / CULTURE Photo by Michael Hirst

ISSUE 3 | APR 2019 FREE • 01977 600800 Pomfret Lodge, 2 Slutwell Lane, Pontefract. WF8 1SL www.kipmcgrath.co.uk/pontefract COMMUNITY

Community News 4 Yorkshire Roses WI 6 Pontefract Civic Society 8 Pontefract & District Family 10 Issue #3 – April 2019 History Society 5000 copies printed Friends of Frairwood Valley 12 Next magazine copydate: 9th April 2019 Gardens Next magazine published: Friends of Pease Park 14 23rd April 2019 Pontefract junior parkrun 15 Submissions If you would like to contribute to the Pomfretian email hello@pomfretian. co.uk. We’re always delighted to hear HISTORY & HERITAGE from writers, photographers and anyone involved in a local group or The Pontefract & District 16 activity. Archaeological Society Advertise For more information on how to The Link Between Pontefract 18 advertise email hello@pomfretian. and Trafalgar Square co.uk or call 07936 860 215. The Day Cliff Richard Came to 20 Disclaimer Pomfretian is produced and To w n published by Love Local Ltd. The opinions expressed within the magazine are of the individual authors and not necessarily those EVENTS & CULTURE of the Pomfretian. While every effort has been made to ensure the What’s On? 22 accuracy of content, we accept no liability in respect of the content of any article, photo or advertisement. ©Love Local Ltd. All rights reserved. No reproduction or copying without permission.

WWW.POMFRETIAN.CO.UK Pomfretian | 3 Community News

Nifty at Fifty Tour de Yorkshire Crafts Local fl orist, Michelle Grainger, is celebrating her 50th in style, with plans to undertake 50 Pontefract Library, in association with fundraising challenges to raise £30,000 for the Pontefract Civic Society, invite residents Prince of Wales Hospice. Both Michelle and her to help decorate the town to celebrate sister Karen know from personal experience how the Tour de Yorkshire. invaluable the hospice is to patients with life- Riders will be passing through the limiting illnesses and have previously held raffl es, town on Friday 3 May during stage car boot sales, the annual Pont Dance and Festive two of the event from Barnsley to Florals events to raise funds. Bedale. The world’s top female riders Her ambitious schedule of events, challenges will come through the town in the and dares range from braving the fastest zip wire morning with the men following in the in the world to shaving her head and taking on afternoon. 25 punishing obstacles, as part of Total Warrior Craft workshops to create bunting 2019. In between her jam-packed schedule, £5 and decorations will be held every tea cup arrangements will continue to be on Wednesday in Pontefract Library sale at Michelle’s Flowers, Baghill Lane and raffl e between 1:30pm and 3:30pm from 13 donations will be gladly welcomed. March to 1 May. To fi nd out more about Michelle’s fundraising All materials and equipment will mission, visit her Just Giving page at be provided, but donations will be www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michellefi fty. gratefully received.

4 | Pomfretian COMMUNITY We love to hear from groups, organisations and individuals about what’s happening locally. Include a photo if you can. Email your stories to [email protected]

Do you have something that is concerning you, but not sure where you can turn to? Castle Counselling offers a safe and confidential place to explore difficulties you may be experiencing in your personal, professional, family and student life. Take the first step... Contact Therese Hunter on 07908 572 731 www.castlecounselling.com

Pontefract in Bloom Seeking Sponsors

Pontefract in Bloom are currently seeking sponsorships from local businesses, community groups, individuals and families. for 2019 fl oral displays. Sponsorship opportunites include hanging baskets for business premises, 9 square planters and 13 3-tier planters. Planters will be fully planted for the summer in late May/early June and replanted in October for winter and spring, ensuring year-round. colour. Sponsors’ names will be displayed “Fantastic value home cooked meals, on the planters and publicised on social freshly prepared from only the finest media. Prices include planting, maintenance, local ingredients available” watering services and sponsor plaque for the whole year. 01977 702 702 For more information, please contact [email protected] or text www.cromwellstearooms.co.uk 07876234054. 1 Mauds Yard, Pontefract, WF8 1AQ

COMMUNITY Pomfretian | 5 Yorkshire Roses Women’s Institute Comes to Carleton by Autumn Hall

ith Spring on its way, it’s time to shake off those winter doldrums, get out and about, makeW new friends and do something different! This is great timing as a new WI has formed in Carleton, Yorkshire Roses WI. causes to enjoying entertaining and In an effort to merge traditional WI educational speakers and everything in interests and pursuits with a modern between, the WI has something for every approach and fun, educational and engaging woman! On a regional and national level, activities we will look to our members for there are numerous classes, workshops and inspiration. With plans for a very active events you can participate in as well as help WI in which all members are involved in advocate for change on issues that affect us the programme planning and execution. all as women, throughout the country and Yorkshire Roses will strive to give back to the planet. the community, pair with various groups Visitors and new members are always in the area to tackle issues close to home welcome! We meet on the 2nd Monday and support the resolutions of the National of each month at 7:00 p.m. at The Grange, Federation of WIs. We’ll be hosting engaging Carleton Community Centre, Carleton speakers, doing fun (but easy!) crafts, going Road. A visitor’s fee of £5 includes tea/coffee on day trips, participating in craft fairs and and cake and a raffle ticket. fundraising, helping to beautify Pontefract, For more information, please email: reaching out to a local care home, holding [email protected] or ring: competitions as well as forwarding the WIs 07483 254253. You can also visit the WI at initiatives in tackling plastic waste, loneliness www.thewi.org.uk for more information among the elderly and period poverty – about the organisation as a whole, our and, of course, eating cake! resolutions for this year and the causes we From crafting to participating in the support to increase public awareness and community to campaigning for various policy change in the UK.

6 | Pomfretian COMMUNITY LIKE ME? FOLD ME! BUSINESS IN FOCUS

KLH Events

aren Haddock and Lynne Hartley, two to book stallholders from the local area local crafters, remember with a fondness and hope to support local crafters, small how Pontefract Town Hall used to be a businesses and charities, with at least one stall Kregular venue for craft fairs. With a desire to being given to a charity free of charge as an put something back into their community, the opportunity to fundraise or raise awareness pair have established a new business venture, of their organisation. KLH Events, in order to bring that buzzing By drawing on their own experiences and atmosphere back for the next generation to reflecting on past events, their hope is to enjoy as much as they did. ensure that every fair is a pleasant experience Lynne, a self-taught costume jewellery for stallholders and visitors alike. With this maker, and Karen, a keen baker, have been in mind, they made the decision to have no attending craft fairs as stall holders together duplicate ranges on stalls, and have trawled for a number of years. However, their social media sites looking for variety. talents as events organisers were noticed in “Our selection includes a glass painter, 2016, when they were asked to organise a handcrafted bath products, a chocolatier, vintage Christmas fair for the British Polio Fellowship. homewares, beauty products, handcrafted The event proved a huge success and they handbags, a wood turner, a metal artist, a spent the following year doing further watercolour artist, a baker, handcrafted jewellery, research at various craft events, drawing from and children’s books to name a few!” the positive and negative experiences and KLH Events have four upcoming events researching possible venues. organised at Pontefract Town Hall (30 March, “We like to think we are a team with a 8 June, 26 October, and 30 November) and difference, our focus is on what we can bring an additional four events to be held at the to the community, rather than taking from it. Thornycroft Centre (14 April, 14 July, 22 When we were first developing our company, September and 8 December). Their hope is to we decided that the choice of location was bring them back as a monthly event and have important. We chose Pontefract because it has a already been approached by other venues! fantastic history and heritage and, as locals, we A Pontefract Information Pack will be know that the rejuvenation of the town centre is handed out at the above events free of paramount and anything we can do to help has charge and KLH Events welcome any to be beneficial.” local businesses who wish to include their This focus on supporting the local literature. For more information, visit community has meant that they have tried www.facebook.com/klhevents.

Pomfretian | 7 Pontefract Civic Society by Paul Cartwright

ontefract’s first blue plaque to a explore the story through poetry, art, prose woman was recently unveiled in the and storytelling. The story that is the life of Nelson Room at Pontefract Town Elizabeth Moxon (nee Hestleton) can be PHall, in front of fifty specially invited guests traced back to 1640, when her grandfather from project partners, like-minded local first rented a burgage plot off Finkle Street organisations, and the Moxon Society. from the family. Dream Time Creative, the arts company Pontefract Civic Society, who hosted behind the Forgotten Women of Wakefield the event and arranged for the supply of project, led the research in celebration the blue plaque, welcomed those present of the pioneering cookbook, ‘English and then handed the event over to Sarah Housewifry’, written by Elizabeth Moxon. It Cobham, CEO of Dream Time Creative, was first published in 1741 and sold from who told the audience about her company, her home on Finkle Street. the background to the wider project, and a This project was funded by Pontefract little of the research to identify who the real Museum to deliver research and community Elizabeth Moxon was, from several strands engagement which enabled local people to of the Moxon family. This research was also

8 | Pomfretian COMMUNITY 2FOR 1 ON ALL CAKES WITH THIS AD

A family run Cafe with a drinks licence, just off Market Place. We cater for all types of food, including Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free. Mauds Yard can be found next to Dorothy Perkins. 01977 792 255 www.maudscafeofpontefract.co.uk Find us on Facebook - Mauds Cafe of Pontefract supplemented by Dave Smith, Chair of Mauds Yard, Pontefract, WF8 1AQ Pontefract & District Family History Society and Philip Henfrey, our Heritage Group Coordinator. The audience were treated to a performance commissioned by Dream Tayloredcarpet Holmesand curtain specialist Time Creative of ‘Lemon Drops’. This short play by Amy Charles was set in Elizabeth Moxon’s kitchen, where she is introduced to the printer of the fi rst edition, James Lister, of the Leeds Mercury. We heard a few words on the project from Rev Don Moxon of the Moxon Society, then Cllr Jacquie Speight spoke, followed by WE ARE PONTEFRACT’S Yvette Cooper MP, who then unveiled the CURTAINS, CARPETING AND blue plaque. After refreshments, we heard FLOORING SPECIALISTS a short poem from Amy Charles (again Visit our showroom for 3 floors of beautiful playing Elizabeth Moxon). Photographs and made to measure curtains, quality floor a short video clip were taken of this very coverings, fabulous paints and wonderful special event, which was one to remember. wall coverings. With over 70 years combined experience, The blue plaque will ultimately be installed we can help make your house a home. on the wall of Bartons café on Finkle Street, and we hope that other blue plaques 01977 704272 celebrating Pomfretians, both women and 17A Front Street, Pontefract, WF8 1DA www.tayloredholmes.co.uk men, will follow.

COMMUNITY Pomfretian | 9 Pontefract & District Family History Society by Eric A Jackson

ontefract and District Family History Society was founded in 1997 and whether you are a beginner, or a Pseasoned family historian who has an interest in our area, we are here to help you pursue this fascinating hobby. We usually have a guest speaker at our meetings on subjects of interest to family historians and visitors are always welcome for a small fee. We maintain an extensive database of births, marriages and burials in our area, dating from 1539 to 1937 which cover over family history related matters. ninety parishes from Grimethorpe in the Individual membership is £10 per annum, south to Barkston Ash in the north; from family membership is £13 and for those Altofts in the west to Barlow in the east. overseas it is £15. Members get a quarterly Members of our Society are very active journal, The Bridge, and free access to all transcribers and we have upwards of 530 society meetings and activities. publications of births, marriages, burials; the We attend various Family History and 1841 and 1851 census indices; Land Tax other Fairs throughout the District so please returns from 1781 to 1825 and monumental call in at our stall and have a chat, we are a inscriptions, many of which are unavailable very friendly group and are always happy to elsewhere, and are available for sale at help with any queries. meetings, by post or via our website, We meet at Micklegate Methodist www.pontefractfhs.org.uk. Church, Pontefract at 7.30pm on the third Our Database and Publications Manager Thursday of each month, except for August holds all our transcripts in a central database and December. and can do surname searches for a small fee, To contact us please email secretary@ see our website for details. pontefractfhs.org.uk, fi nd us on Facebook We also maintain an active Facebook page or visit our website www.pontefractfhs. which gives up-to-date information on all org.uk.

10 | Pomfretian COMMUNITY SPRING HAS SPRUNG DOWN ON

THE FARM e Guild of Fine Food Shop of the Year Easter is just around the corner & our Awards saw us shortlisted for the coveted lambs are having plenty of fun, causing Farm Shop of the Year. We’ve missed out mischief. e newest additions will be on this award over the past few years but with us soon, as well as the little chicks this time, much to our surprise, WE WON! who you can meet at our Easter Festival on the 14th-18th April.

On Easter Sunday, the Priory Rose Vintage Group will be bringing the OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK | Tel 01977 600 200 National Vintage Tractor Road Run to Ravensknowle Farm | Pontefract Road | Pontefract | | WF7 5AF us for a few hours from 11am, hopefully with an appearance from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. All money raised will be going to the It’s great recognition for our team Yorkshire Air who work tirelessly to make sure our Ambulance Farm Shop always looks wonderful, & we expect please let them know they’re doing over 450+ a great job when you visit. tractors. See you at the farm soon.

Our Pumpkin Festival is starting to take shape (it’s only April I know), we’ve OPENING TIMES ordered the seeds, 37 dierent varieties FARM Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 5.30pm of pumpkin, so come October our elds SHOP Saturday: 8:30am - 5:30pm will have more colours than a rainbow! & Sundays & Bank Holidays: 8.30am - 4pm Located 2 mins from Junction 32 Xscape, on the A654 Pontefract to Road. Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens by Colin White

he Friarwood Valley gains its name have fond memories of the Valley Gardens from the Dominican Friary of St in the 1950s and 60s with its profusion of Richard (black friars) which occupied flower beds, rose garden, a winding stream Twhat is now the Pontefract General interspersed with lily ponds, an open air Infirmary demolition site and the Valley theatre, a paddling pool and aviary. By the Gardens from 1256 until the Reformation turn of the Millenium the Valley Gardens had in 1539. After the Dissolution the site was suffered from neglect in the previous two used as a cemetery until orchards were decades: most of the flower beds had been planted in the 18th century. Friarwood grassed over, the stream had been culverted, Valley Gardens became a municipal park in the aviary dismantled, the outdoor stage 1950 when the then Pontefract Borough removed and the paddling pool disused Council acquired the land which had (eventually removed in 2012). Even so, in previously been occupied by several private 2001 Friarwood Valley Gardens was given gardening plots growing liquorice, rhubarb a Grade II listing by English Heritage (now and fruit trees. R W Grubb, the Parks Historic England) in the Parks and Gardens and Cemeteries Superintendent, created Heritage Category (List Entry Number an exceptional green oasis in the centre 1001514). of Pontefract using the natural valley to Community concern about the degraded advantage in his design. The official opening state of the Valley Gardens led to the setting was in May 1951 to coincide with the up of Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens Festival of Britain. Many older Pomfretians in May 2012; a voluntary community group

12 | Pomfretian COMMUNITY with the aim of preserving and restoring the Valley Gardens through voluntary work, fund raising, organising events and grant applications. These are the main achievements of the last seven years: • Restored the Sensory Garden (originally created in 1960 by the Mayor of Pontefract) • Completely replanted the 31 beds of the Rose Garden • Installed the children’s playground with grants from WREN and Wakefield Council • Installed 22 new benches and 4 picnic tables • Restored the outdoor stage with a Tesco “Bags of Help” grant • Brought back regular Valley Gardens events including the Liquorice Festival, Yorkshire Day, Friarwood Festival and Lantern Festival. • Created the Giant Pinhole Camera from the restored former aviary building • Continuing maintenance of the gardens with voluntary gardening. GET YOUR Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens acknowledge the help of Wakefield Council BUSINESS and Wakefield District Housing with grants, NOTICED the support of Pontefract’s councillors and individual donations from the community. The Friends group is small with just over 40 members, but less than a dozen active Advertise volunteers. More volunteers are always with us... welcome to help with our regular gardening sessions and events; there is still much more Providing competitively priced, effective and targeted local to do to restore Pontefract’s green gem. advertising, we are here to help put To keep in touch or get your business at the heart of the local involved follow us on Facebook community. (FriendsOfFriarwoodValleyGardens), Twitter (@ponte_valley) and Instagram. Go For more information, call or visit us at: to our website for much more information about the Valley Gardens and the Friends T: 07936 860 215 group: www.friendsfriarwoodvalleygardens. www.pomfretian.co.uk btck.co.uk.

COMMUNITY Pomfretian | 13 Friends of Pease Park by Pete Tough

he area of land between Churchbalk Lane, Grove Road and Harewood Avenue now know as Pease Park Twas formerly owned by Mr Pease and Mr Lofthouse. It was purchased by Pontefract Borough Council (now Wakefield Metropolitan District Council) in 1956. In 2006, a survey was carried out by The next stage was to renew the footpaths, members of the South Pontefract Community provide seating, plant some trees and create a Partnership (later to be know as Pontefract meadow area over and around the position of Community Partnership) which showed that the underground flood tanks. local residents wanted better use of green This work was completed in December of spaces in the community. 2009. It was decided by the Partnership that In 2010, Friends of Pease Park was formed “Peaser’s field”, being the largest green space in from the steering group of Pontefract the area, should be developed. Community Partnership and continues to Permission was given by WMDC for the work with interested parties on behalf of local project and a steering group was formed residents. from local residents and members of the These parties include Streetscene (WMDC Partnership. This group was dissolved due to a dept for greenspaces), Councillors, WDH, delay of 18 months because of works by the Neighbourhood Police Teams and local Water Authority installing a drainage system residents. to prevent flooding in the nearby streets and The aims of Friends of Pease Park are homes. However, a new steering group was to further develop, promote, enhance and formed from local residents and members protect Pease Park as a place of recreation and of the Partnership shortly after the land had enjoyment for all the local community. recovered. We also gather input from local people and Funding was applied for and received. representative groups so that the park may Regular meetings were held to move the best serve the local community. project forward until, in 2009, a new play area Membership is open to anyone who shares was installed. the aims of the group. The official opening of the play area, For details of how to get involved in organized in 2009, was well attended by the care of Pease Park, email peasepark@ local residents and children despite the poor hotmail.co.uk. weather.

14 | Pomfretian COMMUNITY Pontefract junior parkrun by Christopher

ontefract junior parkrun is a completely free event that is held every Sunday morning in Pontefract PPark at 9am and is for children aged 4 -14 years old. Children can run/walk/skip on their own as the course is fully marshalled but parents/guardians/siblings are welcome to join in. Pontefract junior parkrun joined the parkrun family on Saturday 10th June 2018 after relocating from Nostell Priory. 26 children completed the 2k course that day, and since then our numbers have steadily increased, peaking at a wonderful 194. We start on the inner track of the racecourse near the tower and head down the track towards the turnaround point at 1km before heading back up the ‘little’ hill to the finish and our mascot, Ponte rabbit. Please register for your unique parkrun barcode at www.parkrun.org.uk/register as you’ll need this at the finish to get a time. More information about Pontefract junior parkrun can be found at http://www. WE SELL parkrun.org.uk/pontefract-juniors/ or email Guitars, Basses, Ukuleles, Amps, Drums, us at [email protected] Accessories, FX, PA and Recording Gear You can also find us on Facebook and WE OFFER Twitter. Guitar, Drums, Bass & Ukulele lessons from just £20 per hour, PA Hire, Recording Services, Guitar Repairs & setups 01977 790145 Unit 7 Horsefair House, Pontefract, WF8 1PE www.jowmusic.co.uk | Find us on Facebook

COMMUNITY Pomfretian | 15 Photo © Eric Houlder LRPS

The Pontefract & District Archaeological Society by Eric Houlder

ack in 1956, the nation’s favourite the second year of the class progressed, a TV show was an archaeological number of the students met together in the quiz in which museums challenged churchyard of All Saints and determined to Bcelebrities to identify mystery objects from form a society independent of the university their collections. Top of the celebrities was and the WEA. An inaugural meeting was Yorkshire’s own Sir Mortimer Wheeler, who called in the parish hall at the foot of Baghill, had grown up in Shipley and had attended and The Pontefract & District Archaeological Bradford Grammar School. So popular was Society was founded, initially with about Animal? Vegetable? Mineral?, that a number thirty members. of spin-off programmes were made. These Society activities included excavation produced a huge increase in the number (originally at St John’s Priory under Vince of people studying archaeology, both at Bellamy), building surveys, fieldwork, local university and in evening classes. historical research, and urban recording. A Pontefract was just one of the locations popular programme of lectures was begun, of such a class, tutored by Leeds University and from the beginning, national and regional and WEA lecturer C Vincent Bellamy. As experts were invited to appear. As time

16 | Pomfretian HISTORY & HERITAGE went by, the new society was eventually able to mount excavations independent of Vince Bellamy, like a brief look at St Richard’s Friary under the newly proposed hospital in 1963. A lucky addition to the early membership was Kenneth Wilson, of the Abbey House Museum at Kirkstall. Ken had dug with the best, whilst his wife, Peggy (see www. trowelblazers.com) had dug as a supervisor with Wheeler himself. With training and advice from people like this a number of younger society members became sought after as supervisors by leading national archaeologists. Today, that heritage of excavation and recording skill is still evident, and still in demand. Today, PontArc is the only group devoted to the identification, study, recording, and publication of the district’s past traces. The lecture programme extends from September until April, and still includes national figures. Excavations, surveys, and fieldwork are still undertaken, and still give us new insights into Pontefract’s rich history. Our latest book is a survey of Darrington Windmill by Society Secretary Robert McNaught. It is illustrated in full colour and includes much historical as well as architectural and technological detail. At least two other books are planned for the near future. We usually meet on the third Friday of the month in the Central Methodist Church hall, Newgate, between September and Stockists of quality new and April, though national holidays sometimes pre-loved sporting arms, necessitate changes. Membership is open ammunition, accessories and to all on payment of an annual subscription. shooting supplies. PontArc recognises that its lecture programme often attracts people who are not interested in annual membership, so 01977 675388 lectures are open to everyone on a payment Visit us online or in store: of £3 per meeting. PontArc’s website: www. www.craigkidd.co.uk pontarc.org.uk has all our publications, our programme, full details of membership, and 28 Spawd Bone Lane, many other interesting facts. , WF11 0JG

HISTORYLOCAL & HISTORY HERITAGE Pomfretian | 17 The Link Between Pontefract and Trafalgar Square by Thomas Smith

ithin the historic rooms of the mold upon which the fi nal bronze relief, Pontefract’s 18th century Town found on the pedestal of Nelson’s Column, Hall hangs a very special work was cast. Of course, the bronze relief (and ofW art that links Pontefract with Nelson’s its plaster-cast forbearer) are now part Column in London’s Trafalgar Square. Those of one of our country’s most famous and of you who are familiar with the Town Hall’s recognisable monuments. interior might have guessed it – it’s the Nelson’s Column in London’s Trafalgar plaster-cast relief of the Death of Nelson at Square, stands 169ft 3in tall when measured Trafalgar, which is installed in the charming from the base of the pedestal to the tip (and aptly named) Nelson Room. of Nelson’s hat. The statue of Nelson The plaster-cast relief originally served as that stands atop the column and gazes

18 | Pomfretian HISTORY & HERITAGE down upon Whitehall is itself 18ft tall. The monument was erected in 1843 to commemorate Horatio Nelson, Vice- Admiral of the British Royal Navy, who died aboard the HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars. The battle (and Nelson himself) was key to ending Napoleon’s campaign to invade England, dealing a decisive defeat to the combined Franco- Spanish fleets. The confrontation took place in the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Cape of Trafalgar, just off the south-west coast of mainland Spain. At the end of the battle, the combined Franco-Spanish forces lost 22 of 33 ships whilst the British forces lost none. During the fighting, a bullet from a French Musketeer, firing from 50ft away, pierced Nelson’s left shoulder and passed through his spine and several vertebrae, lodging a few inches below his right shoulder blade. Knowing that he had been dealt a fatal blow, Nelson issued his final battle commands, in it, I don’t know what is. professed his love for his mistress Emma and Now, you would be right to ask just how uttered the now famous last words, “God this work of art ended up in Pontefract’s and my country”. He died three to four Town Hall. The plaster-cast of the Death hours after the Frenchman’s musket shot. At of Nelson was in fact gifted by Benjamin the return of Nelson’s body to England, a full Oliveria, who was an MP for Pontefract state funeral was conducted and his body from 1852 through to 1857. As an influential buried in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Victorian MP, Oliveria was a close friend of The relief Death of Nelson at Trafalgar the sculptor Carew and offered the piece as was designed by Irish sculptor John Edward a gift to the Corporation of Pontefract. Carew (c. 1785 – 1868) and installed upon So in conclusion, if you ever find yourself the Whitehall-facing side of the pedestal in London and walking across Trafalgar of Nelson’s Column in 1849. Carew’s was Square, you can take heart and know that the first of four bronze reliefs (each 18ft2) you are not too far from home when you to be mounted upon the monument, each set your eyes upon the Death of Nelson at commemorating famous battles of the Trafalgar, as you will be reminded that the Napoleonic Wars, including The Battle of very same work (albeit in plaster-casting) Copenhagen, The Battle of the Nile, and hangs in Pontefract’s Town Hall and has done The Battle of Cape St Vincent. Interestingly, so for well over a century and a half. the bronze used for the reliefs was in fact Reproduced by kind permission of Pontefract cast from captured French artillery cannons. Heritage Group. Now, if that’s not rubbing your enemy’s nose www.pontefractheritagegroup.org.uk

HISTORYLOCAL & HISTORY HERITAGE Pomfretian | 19 The Day Cliff Richard Came to Town by Roger Ellis

astleford’s boast is that Buffalo Bill, with film scores such as the James Bond theme, his Wild West Circus, came to town Dances with Wolves, Born Free Out of Africa to in 1904; a story passed down from name but a few), Marty Wilde and the red haired Cgrandparents to grandchildren, many of whom in Wee Willy Harris, The Bachelors and a young the 1960’s revelled in various TV western series. unknown comedian called Jimmy Tarbuck. Well, on January 20th 1959, Cliff Richard and Adding fuel to all of this hysteria was the The Drifters, later to be re-named The Shadows, record stand in the Pontefract Market Hall appeared on stage at the Crescent Cinema. From where, providing one had some money to spare, that moment life for Pontefract’s blossoming the latest hits could be bought for 5/- or, for teenagers would not be the same again. those with instrumental skills, the guitar and Unfortunately, legend has it that Cliff vowed he piano sheet music score for 2/-. Mrs. Jay’s small would never appear in the town again because, family run booth, despite its size, carried almost during a press photo shoot in the Valley Gardens, every record and LP request available and if he was mobbed and chased by screaming fans, not, it could easily be ordered. This popular mainly teenage girls, eager for his autograph or a gathering place on Saturday afternoon was the quick cuddle. magnet for the town’s vibrant youth fraternity. The period was, as we know, a time of great Here the sound of the latest top ten could be musical revival and composition, one driven by a heard reverberating around the Market Hall, the teenage love of popular rock ’n’ roll music. During surrounding area itself impassable due to the those heady days of the late 1950’s and early 60’s, volume of those wanting to listen. There would the Crescent stage was graced with stars of the be an almost continuous call to play again the time, many of whom remain household names number one record of that week. And if money to this day. Groups like The John Barry Seven was short it could be reserved for the following (John Barry being York’s famous son who was to week, with no deposit. become the composer of many big Hollywood Such was the town life in Pontefract.

20 | Pomfretian HISTORY & HERITAGE

What’s On?

KLH Events Spring Fair Yorkshire Roses WI 30 March, 10am - 4pm 8 April, 7pm Pontefract Town Hall Carleton Community Centre We have over 30 small Yorkshire Roses WI welcomes businesses with a variety of Paul Whittaker, OBE, who will products, including metal art, be presenting “Music to Your woodturning, knits, cards, vintage, Ears”. £5 visitors fee includes clothing, bath bombs, fragrances, tea/coffee and cake and a raffl e holistic therapies, baked goods, ticket. For more information, ceramics and many, many more. please email: yorkshirerosesWI@ gmail.com or ring: 07483 254253. Carleton and District Dinner With Ladies Group Mir and ISS Cosmonaut Gennady 1 April, 7pm for 7:30pm Talk: “The Kingdom of Padalka The Rugby Club, Carleton Alms” 5 April, 6pm - 10:30pm 9 April, 7pm Debbie Harrod will be giving House Hotel Pontefract Town Hall a demonstration of how to do spring fl oral arrangements. Hosted by Space Lectures, a Eric Jackson, presents a talk on Members £1 and visitors £2. not for profi t organisation. All Almshouses in Pontefract and profi ts donated to UNICEF. explains why the town came to Tickets cost £100, including be known as the “Kingdom of Ian Clayton in one signed item. Contact Alms”. Pontefract Civic Society conversation with CP Ken Willoughby on 01977 members £2, non members £4, Lee 795535. including light refreshments. 3 April, 7:30pm - 10pm Tap & Barrel, Pontefract Sweet Characters Join Ian Clayton in the “A Walk In Space” - A 10 April, 11am - 3pm intimate theatre setting at Lecture by Cosmonaut the Tap & Barrel, Pontefract Gennady Padalka for an interview with writer, 6 April, 2:30pm - 3:45pm Taste some of the sweets that broadcaster, lecturer and Carleton Community High Pontefract and the local area performer, CP Lee. School are famous for and create a Tickets now available. Tickets cost £30, including character inspired by the sweets! one signed item. Contact Ken Drop-in activity, all ages Willoughby on 01977 795535. welcome.

22 | Pomfretian EVENTS & CULTURE More details on all the events listed below can be found on our website. If you would like to have your event included on this page, please send details to [email protected]

Have a Dabble - KLH Events Easter Fair Illumination Workshop Pisanki Eggs 14 April, 12pm - 5pm with Toni Watts 11 April, 6:30pm - 7:30pm The Thornycroft Centre 20 April, 10pm - 4pm Pontefract Castle We have over 30 small The custom of decorating eggs businesses with a variety of Join us for a day of illumination is an ancient symbol of life and products, including metal art, with one of the few remaining rebirth. Decorate beautiful woodturning, knits, cards, vintage, professional gold leaf eggs for Easter using the Polish clothing, bath bombs, fragrances, illuminators in the UK, Toni technique of Pisanki, involving holistic therapies, baked goods, Watts. Adults 16+. Tickets £24. melted wax and dyes. Adults ceramics and many, many more. 16+. Tickets £6. Pontefract Castle and Easter Animals the Shadow King The Jam - All Mod 17 April, 10am - 3pm Henry VI Cons. A CAT Club Pontefract Museum 27 April, 2pm - 3:30pm presentation Search for images of animals Pontefract Castle 11 April, 7:30pm - 10pm on the old objects around A talk from Lauren Johnson, Tap & Barrel, Pontefract Pontefract Museum and make a historian and author, on her Presented by acclaimed poet, fun Easter animal craft to keep! latest book with particular focus songwriter and performance Drop-in activity, all ages on the events surrounding artist, Heath Common. Tickets welcome. Henry VI and Pontefract Castle now available.. during the battle of Wakefi eld.

Easter Floristry Community Showcase Workshop Wedding Fayre 13 April, 10am - 3pm 18 April, 6:30pm - 11:30pm 28 April, 11am - 3pm Pontefract Town Hall Farmer Copleys Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel As part of their 50th Join us to create your very own Our wedding fayres hold approx Anniversary celebrations, beautiful hand tied bouquet with 50 suppliers from the wedding Pontefract Civic Society are help from the lovely Stephanie industry from photographers, hosting a showcase event from Pickerings Florists. to gym memberships. Free to for other local organisations, £35 per person. attend. community groups and charities. Find out about what’s happening locally and how you can get involved.

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