Pride in

The newsletter of Pontefract Civic Society

ISSUE: May, 2012

Talks & Tours 2012 Newsletter feedback

Mon 4 Jun Queen’s Diamond Jubilee ~ [WMDC organised]

Mon 4 Jun Pontefract Town Hall Tours  Secretary: Paul Cartwright Sat 9 Jun Market Weighton Civic Society visiting Pontefract 39 Mill Hill Avenue, Pontefract, WF8 4JH 01977 708658 Sat 23 Jun Civic Voice – Civic Day & National [email protected] Markets Day wwwpontefractcivicsociety.org.uk Mon 25 Jun Olympic Torch Relay, Pontefract & Ackworth [LOCOG organised]

Sun 8 Jul Pontefract Liquorice Festival [WMDC organised]

Sat 21 Jul Visit to Market Weighton Advantages of membership Thu 6 – Sun 9 Sep Heritage Open Days We have renewed our membership of Tues 16 Oct Talk: Methodism in Pontefract ~ Civic Voice including insurance cover, as Mollie Garbett the Executive recognise the benefits of Nov TBC Talk: Button Park/Friarwood being part of our national umbrella Conservation Area ~ Adrian Pope organisation. Further details on the Tues 4 Dec Society Christmas Dinner – advantages of membership can be Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel obtained from the Secretary, Paul Cartwright, which in brief include:- • FREE day passes for both National Members £2.00 and Non-members £3.00 per person. Trust and English Heritage www.civicvoice.org.uk/nationaltr

ustcivicvoiceoffer2012 and W A N T E D www.civicvoice.org.uk/englishher • Members to join this committees’ itage2012pass • New Society members • NCVO free membership • Civic Day public event ideas • Co-operative Bank – free banking and interest • Lockton insurance • RUDI – online resources in urban design and place making • Use of Civic Voice logo

Registered charity number 513509 TREASURER Executive

After a year without a Treasurer, we are Following the AGM, the Executive very pleased to announce that Alan Bell Committee now comprises: has been co-opted by the Executive to fulfil this role. Alan brings with him years Peter Cookson – Honorary Chair, and of community development expertise, and Chair of Land Use & Transport; the Executive offer him a warm welcome. Paul Cartwright – Honorary Secretary;

Peter Cookson said ”After the Society's Alan Bell - co-opted as Treasurer, has also Treasurer, Dr Mae Collins moved away from agreed to be undertaken a project role as the Pontefract area and our interim treasurer, Heritage Open Day Co-ordinator; John Colvill, had to step down on health Peter Taylor – Chair of Conservation, reasons, the Society had to function for about a Environment & Planning; year without an official treasurer. During this time, our Secretary, Paul Cartwright, worked Allan Blaza – Chair of Parks & Open hard to administer our financial affairs Spaces; alongside his secretarial work and we are very Derek Vaux – Co-opted grateful to him for that.

In response to our search for a new treasurer, it is with great pleasure that we welcome to the VAWD Funding Workshop Executive, Alan Bell, who offered his services Voluntary Action Wakefield District held in this post. Alan is in a position to bring a funding workshop in Wakefield at great knowledge and experience to our work; which a number of opportunities were he has been involved in Pontefract’s affairs for noted where the environment of a number of years and, quite recently as Pontefract could be improved. Heritage Development Officer for Pontefract Christine Cartwright. Groups Together, where he brought valuable energy and guidance in promoting the well- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ being of Pontefract. His love of the town and his appreciation and understanding of the We understand from Pontefract Groups problems facing it will greatly assist our effort Together that there is no further progress and we look forward to our working together”. on establishing a Trust for . Alan said “I have a passion to see Pontefract realise its true potential as a key visitor attraction in Yorkshire. I am proud and indeed awestruck at the wonderful historical legacy ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ which we still hold, and I believe that Our most recent scheduled meeting Pontefract Civic Society has always fought to enhance that legacy in a practical and positive with Pontefract Councillors was manner. I am very happy to be accepted as the recently postponed, due to the Civic Society's new treasurer”. elections and meetings in Wakefield.

Valley Gardens gathers momentum Land Use & Transport Committee

Pontefract Civic Society and WMDC Street Thus far, WMDC has not responded to Scene Team coordinated a public meeting our progress chasing letter on Town End (Feb) in Pontefract Town Hall attended by junction. 30 people, in order to test the viability of a It’s noted that the Town Centre friends group for the Valley Gardens. Partnership appears now to be receiving Peter Cookson, chaired the meeting, and continued support from WMDC, as well speakers included Jim Heap (Valley as interest from businesses e.g. Boots, Gardens Bowling Club), Jill Lofthouse Marks & Spencer. (WMDC), and Bob Evison who prepared some potential designs for a long term For those who aren’t aware, a packed and vision connecting the gardens to the town very noisy meeting was recently hosted by centre with a grand entrance off Mark Crowther on the proposed Southgate, Bob went on to consider a development of land of Ackworth Road possible expansion of the gardens. Some and Hardwick Road. The meeting served ideas to stimulate interest for a toddler its purpose of garnering public support in play area, benches, bins and hanging order for local people to take the lead in a baskets were shown by the Civic Society. campaign group. Meanwhile, Councillors Cllrs Garbutt and Walsh both referred to Crowther and Dean will work from within greater family use for this heritage jewel WMDC. in the heart of Pontefract. Peter Cookson

A second meeting was held in May to prepare the way for a constitution and to elect Officers. Structural advice was noted together with discussion on what type of park or gardens the people of Pontefract YHACS AGM ~ Leeds (Janunary) want to see. This will then help determine  YHACS Buildings at Risk Register which funding opportunities are needed  All Committee re-elected, to support the required projects. additionally Tony Leonard from The Officers Elect were in place by the end Market Weighton of the meeting, which are:- YHACS Meeting ~ Ossett (April) Chair Colin White Vice Chair Anne Rhodes  Portas DVD from Ripon’s Secretary Liz Clayden application was viewed with the Treasurer Matthew White title “Stay a while” If you want to get involved, please call  A debate took place on the 01977 708658, use the enquiry form on the potential and impact of HS2 rail on Society’s website, or email the region [email protected]  Newsletter deadline - 9 June  Next meeting Sat 7 Jul Cleethorpes Paul Cartwright Paul & Christine Cartwright WMDC that our suggested roadway linking from the station is being protected.

The strategic direction for north Pontefract Workshop~ Leeds has featured on the agenda, as does the Campaign themes from the AGM in Tanshelf and Colonel’s Walk area, which Sheffield were being reviewed and appears uncertain with a planned lorry updated with input from Societies across lay-by from Haribo, and no planning the North and Midlands. Themes were: application as yet from Tesco. The old fire station is also being demolished in favour 1. Article 4; of a temporary car park. 2. Photographic projects; On the Market Stalls, WMDC continues to 3. Forgotten Spaces; listen to the views of the Society and other 4. Design Awards or Civic Awards; groups. 5. Civic Shame. On signage enforcement, the Society is Recent regional workshops seemed to be concerned at the local businesses being at odds with the AGM feedback which targeted, especially after years of neglect prioritised campaigns 4 and 5. which has allowed larger national Paul & Christine Cartwright businesses to abuse the town centre Conservation Area with inappropriate signage and facades.

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An earlier meeting the Councillors Other Meetings The Executive met with local Councillors, Crowther, Dean, Garbutt, Tennant and The Society has been represented by Paul Walsh on two occasions since our last & Christine at regular meetings with other Newsletter. Similar subjects were local Civic Societies, namely , discussed on both occasions; brief Horbury, Ossett and Wakefield. highlights are noted in this report. Whilst Peter Taylor continues to Whether the Pontefract Steering Group participate in THI meetings, and joint will exist in one form or another appears meetings of Civic Societies and WMDC to change at each meeting, and therefore Conservation Officers. continues to lack clarity from Cllr Jeffery. The Monkill Station appears to be a Our website collection of existing small projects, as opposed to the significant and integrated www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk solution which was the design proposed When did you last visit the site? by the Society. We continue to promote our plan, and in doing so, whilst Ripon Does it do what it should? Homes will start to build on the Maltings Have you told your friends about it? site, we have secured assurances from

REPORT French Student, Maxime Giboulot has produced a written report on The State of the Civic Movement in Yorkshire & Humber.

The full report is available on request, though we’ve chosen to bring you the highlights in graphical format.

2013 Talks & Tours What would you like to hear about? Where would you like to visit? We’d like to hear from you?

Let the Secretary know.

2013 and beyond Help formulate the Societies strategy, campaigns and public meetings. If you have something to say, why not contact any member of the Executive?

Come and see us….

We’ll be at Diamond Jubilee Fun Day at Pontefract Castle on Mon 4 Jun.