Presentation: Three Valleys Nature Park, Kirklees
The River Colne in Huddersfield: a great asset but undervalued.
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BY DAVID WYLES
At our online December meeting, Jeff Keenleyside of Greenstreams presented the ambitious proposals to create a nature park covering the enormous assets of the rivers Colne, Holme and Calder areas in Kirklees. Combining the shared vision of Greenstreams, River Holme Connections, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and others, he outlined ideas for taking the Three Valleys Nature Park project forward and how it will benefit the whole community. Covering an area from Dewsbury to Marsden and south to the edge of the Peak District, the project proposes many improvements to the valley environments and their inter-connecting links. Its realisation would offer enormous benefits for the health and wellbeing of residents, the economy and the environment. The network of paths and tracks for walking and cycling, provides recreational and commuting opportunities. The restoration of waterside sites offers the potential for improving wildlife habitats and ecological diversity and the management of water. With tree planting, these measures all support climate change resilience. The potential for improving sites to enhance these opportunities was illustrated by various projects, including gravel extraction sites at Ravensthorpe; local destinations such as Snow Island, off Kings Mill Lane, Huddersfield; and exemplar projects from the region such as the RSPB St Aidan’s Nature Park in Leeds. Equally challenging was the need to ensure adequate maintenance of paths and environments, illustrated by poor surfacing and encroachment of vegetation along many river and canal side paths. Of equal concern was the continuing problem of fly-tipping and plastic waste contamination of the river systems. Moves to re-establish habitats through improvement of water quality and structural improvements, such as salmon ladders at weirs, are symbolic of what could be achieved through combined efforts. Jeff paid tribute to the many hours of voluntary work that had helped to improve sections of the river corridors. The plan now required a vision to raise public awareness, secure contributions from the public, private and voluntary sectors, and to establish agreement with landowners and develop pilot projects. To move the project forward, a development plan for the Colne Valley section of the park now needs resources, an essential step to mobilise public involvement, raise funding and establish robust agreements regarding future maintenance and management. |
Dippers are becoming a familiar sight on the Colne. Picture by Ron Egon.
Plastics in our rivers, an increasing problem: the Calder in Wakefield.
Native brown trout in the River Colne, Kingsbridge. Picture by the Wild Trout Trust.
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Safe access to the river at Kilner Bank and, right, gateways to natural greenspaces on Snow Island.
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The River Colne at Milnsbridge and, right, the Greenway at Colne Bridge a fantastic asset.
Illustrated talk: Queensgate Market 50 years on
Huddersfield’s Queensgate Market is 50 years old. Chris Marsden, who has investigated its history, revealed the passion, inventiveness and influences behind the creation of this architecturally important building.
He also demonstrated how its unusual hyperbolic paraboloid design provided a dynamic, yet functional solution for achieving a light and airy market hall.
In response to audience questions on its future use, Chris suggested exploring the potential of a food court and a gallery but he was unsure if the acoustics would allow its use as a sound space.
The evening, the second online event of HCS this year, demonstrated that the Queensgate market building is an architectural gem.
Returned to its former state it could play an important part of the heritage of the town. All it needs some improvements to services and a new purpose.
Chris Marsden is a former chair of trustees of HCS.
He also demonstrated how its unusual hyperbolic paraboloid design provided a dynamic, yet functional solution for achieving a light and airy market hall.
In response to audience questions on its future use, Chris suggested exploring the potential of a food court and a gallery but he was unsure if the acoustics would allow its use as a sound space.
The evening, the second online event of HCS this year, demonstrated that the Queensgate market building is an architectural gem.
Returned to its former state it could play an important part of the heritage of the town. All it needs some improvements to services and a new purpose.
Chris Marsden is a former chair of trustees of HCS.
Annual lecture: Reinvention across the Pennines
BY GEOFF HUGHES
Alex Whitbread, a partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, gave the Society’s annual joint lecture with the University of Huddersfield School of Art, Design and Architecture.
His talk, on March 3, 2020, in the University’s Charles Sikes Building, was entitled A Decade of Reinvention across the Pennines: A Perspective from FCBStudios.
Alex covered a wide range of developments across the North, ranging from dramatic new city centre schemes in Leeds and Manchester through to complex redevelopments around heritage sites from Stoke to the South Bank of Leeds.
An excellent presentation showed the range of techniques used by architects when master-planning a major new development, as at Kirkstall Forge, near Leeds (above) through to modelling potential future building combinations and designs with their differing impacts on sightlines.
The talk concluded with examples close to Huddersfield and mentions of the key role of integrating transport, primarily improvements in rail transport, into new urban developments.
Alex Whitbread, a partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, gave the Society’s annual joint lecture with the University of Huddersfield School of Art, Design and Architecture.
His talk, on March 3, 2020, in the University’s Charles Sikes Building, was entitled A Decade of Reinvention across the Pennines: A Perspective from FCBStudios.
Alex covered a wide range of developments across the North, ranging from dramatic new city centre schemes in Leeds and Manchester through to complex redevelopments around heritage sites from Stoke to the South Bank of Leeds.
An excellent presentation showed the range of techniques used by architects when master-planning a major new development, as at Kirkstall Forge, near Leeds (above) through to modelling potential future building combinations and designs with their differing impacts on sightlines.
The talk concluded with examples close to Huddersfield and mentions of the key role of integrating transport, primarily improvements in rail transport, into new urban developments.
Visit: Barbara Hepworth building
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BY JOHN LOCKWOOD
Barbara Hepworth would have been amazed to see the huge glass enclosed space and dramatic stairway on the new building which carries her name at the University of Huddersfield.
Over twenty members of the Civic Society were privileged to enjoy a guided tour of the newly completed £30 million showcase building created for the students of the School of Art, Design, Architecture and Fashion, in December 2019.
Spectacular and visually stunning, this new building is situated canal side, opposite an elegant university textile mill conversion of earlier times with south facing views to Castle Hill.
Leaving behind the myriad of computers, 3D printers, the tools of modern architecture and designers, we walked across a newly landscaped area to view the restored, Grade Two listed bath house which the university had inherited from an industrial age.
At great expense it has been allowed to show all the signs of its past while it has been sympathetically converted into a small cafe and exhibition space.
We are grateful to our guide Helen Chadwick and to Carl Meddings of the School of Architecture who arranged our visit.
Barbara Hepworth would have been amazed to see the huge glass enclosed space and dramatic stairway on the new building which carries her name at the University of Huddersfield.
Over twenty members of the Civic Society were privileged to enjoy a guided tour of the newly completed £30 million showcase building created for the students of the School of Art, Design, Architecture and Fashion, in December 2019.
Spectacular and visually stunning, this new building is situated canal side, opposite an elegant university textile mill conversion of earlier times with south facing views to Castle Hill.
Leaving behind the myriad of computers, 3D printers, the tools of modern architecture and designers, we walked across a newly landscaped area to view the restored, Grade Two listed bath house which the university had inherited from an industrial age.
At great expense it has been allowed to show all the signs of its past while it has been sympathetically converted into a small cafe and exhibition space.
We are grateful to our guide Helen Chadwick and to Carl Meddings of the School of Architecture who arranged our visit.
Talk: Focus on photographer Harry Bray
BY ROSIE AINSWORTH
Helen Bray of Helen J Bray Photographic Studio, Holmfirth, gave a very personal presentation in November 2019 of her grandfather, Harry Bray’s photographs taken from 1917.
Harry started his career as an apprentice at Bamforth’s before opening his own studio.
At that time he also became involved with publicity for Karrier Motors, who made commercial motor vehicles in Huddersfield.
Karrier Motors was taken over by Rootes in 1926. It was at this time that Harry began working as a freelance photographer for the Huddersfield Examiner.
Helen covered many other interesting and varied subjects, for example, mill working, farming, schools and hospitals. There was something of interest for all the audience.
We were in admiration of the photographer with all his equipment capturing moments in and around Huddersfield and Holmfirth. Quite different to today, using our mobile phone cameras.
Helen Bray of Helen J Bray Photographic Studio, Holmfirth, gave a very personal presentation in November 2019 of her grandfather, Harry Bray’s photographs taken from 1917.
Harry started his career as an apprentice at Bamforth’s before opening his own studio.
At that time he also became involved with publicity for Karrier Motors, who made commercial motor vehicles in Huddersfield.
Karrier Motors was taken over by Rootes in 1926. It was at this time that Harry began working as a freelance photographer for the Huddersfield Examiner.
Helen covered many other interesting and varied subjects, for example, mill working, farming, schools and hospitals. There was something of interest for all the audience.
We were in admiration of the photographer with all his equipment capturing moments in and around Huddersfield and Holmfirth. Quite different to today, using our mobile phone cameras.
Visit: Johnsons Wellfield at Crosland Moor
A morning visit in August 2019 gave 26 HCS members, friends and relatives an insight into the processes which have made Johnsons Wellfield at Crosland Hill the country's most distinguished producer of natural York sandstone.
Having been greeted and fitted with safety helmets, ear plugs and jackets, the group were split into two to accommodate a visit to the stone yards, cutting sheds and the working face of the quarry.
Guides Neil and Nick, whose families had had long associations with quarrying in the area, shared their knowledge in explaining the geology of the quarries and the uses for the stone which has been used in towns and buildings across the UK and abroad.
We were taken to the yards where large stone blocks are stored, including one engraved with the face of Compo (Bill Owen), which is awaiting transportation to Holmfirth.
In the sheds – ear plugs needed – stone was being precision-cut to different sizes and shapes with the aid of computers, supervised by qualified masons. Two types of machinery were in operation; a diamond toothed circular saw and a reciprocating saw which uses diamonds for fine cutting. Huge amounts of water are required to keep the cutting edges cool, but it is recycled.
Minibuses transported the group to the bottom of the huge quarry along a rough track where a massive digger was moving rock and soil. The driver then swapped the bucket for a picker, using its cutting point to manoeuvre behind a slab on the quarry face and remove a huge lump of sandstone. This process was repeated a number of times with skill and apparent ease.
The next stage vividly demonstrated how one man could split a huge rock to a more manageable size. For this he used 'duck and feather' wedges, placing about six in a line, hammering each in turn and constantly checking if the block was splitting along the correct line and listening for a change of sound as it began to split. Again, all achieved with apparent ease but clearly demonstrating the skill and training of the quarry workforce.
Back in the yards, the group watched the splitting and dressing of stone by two men preparing riven paving slabs which is all done by hand and ear; listening to the stone splitting as they use a hammer and chisel to produce the traditional slabs.
Thanks were given to the organisers and guides who provided a very thorough insight into one of Huddersfield's most celebrated industries.
Having been greeted and fitted with safety helmets, ear plugs and jackets, the group were split into two to accommodate a visit to the stone yards, cutting sheds and the working face of the quarry.
Guides Neil and Nick, whose families had had long associations with quarrying in the area, shared their knowledge in explaining the geology of the quarries and the uses for the stone which has been used in towns and buildings across the UK and abroad.
We were taken to the yards where large stone blocks are stored, including one engraved with the face of Compo (Bill Owen), which is awaiting transportation to Holmfirth.
In the sheds – ear plugs needed – stone was being precision-cut to different sizes and shapes with the aid of computers, supervised by qualified masons. Two types of machinery were in operation; a diamond toothed circular saw and a reciprocating saw which uses diamonds for fine cutting. Huge amounts of water are required to keep the cutting edges cool, but it is recycled.
Minibuses transported the group to the bottom of the huge quarry along a rough track where a massive digger was moving rock and soil. The driver then swapped the bucket for a picker, using its cutting point to manoeuvre behind a slab on the quarry face and remove a huge lump of sandstone. This process was repeated a number of times with skill and apparent ease.
The next stage vividly demonstrated how one man could split a huge rock to a more manageable size. For this he used 'duck and feather' wedges, placing about six in a line, hammering each in turn and constantly checking if the block was splitting along the correct line and listening for a change of sound as it began to split. Again, all achieved with apparent ease but clearly demonstrating the skill and training of the quarry workforce.
Back in the yards, the group watched the splitting and dressing of stone by two men preparing riven paving slabs which is all done by hand and ear; listening to the stone splitting as they use a hammer and chisel to produce the traditional slabs.
Thanks were given to the organisers and guides who provided a very thorough insight into one of Huddersfield's most celebrated industries.
Meeting: The future of travel in Kirklees
Professor Greg Marsden (University of Leeds) gave an absorbing address on the future of travel in Kirklees.
Rather than focussing on autonomous vehicles or flying cars, he drew attention to the important changes on-going in society which have reduced the amount that people are travelling.
Per head of population, driving has reduced by 11% since 2005 and in particular in under 30s and in the most wealthy groups in society.
It is true for all categories of journey from commuting to leisure with only the trip to school staying more or less the same.
This comes as a bit of shock when one sees the on-going congestion problems. However, these result more from a concentration of population growth along already busy corridors, more people but generally travelling less.
Not only are the trends surprising, but they are also a positive factor in the agenda to decarbonise transport and perhaps point the direction to further change.
He turned his attention to what the data on travel patterns might mean in Kirklees, noting that this would mean different things in different places:
While it was evident that the on-going shifts in travel behaviour have not yet been grasped as an opportunity for change, the potential to capitalise on them will vary depending on what land is made available for future population and employment growth.
This again varies across place although Huddersfield, like most towns and cities is facing a challenging retail environment and could take a lead on shifting over to housing-led revitalisation of the city centre.
This puts people in places with great accessibility by public transport and that remains central to people's capacity to live less car dependent lifestyles. In a very lively discussion of the presentation it was clear that, at the heart of a vision for a less car dependent Kirklees, comes the need for a clear vision for the sort of place citizens wanted to live in.
Rather than focussing on autonomous vehicles or flying cars, he drew attention to the important changes on-going in society which have reduced the amount that people are travelling.
Per head of population, driving has reduced by 11% since 2005 and in particular in under 30s and in the most wealthy groups in society.
It is true for all categories of journey from commuting to leisure with only the trip to school staying more or less the same.
This comes as a bit of shock when one sees the on-going congestion problems. However, these result more from a concentration of population growth along already busy corridors, more people but generally travelling less.
Not only are the trends surprising, but they are also a positive factor in the agenda to decarbonise transport and perhaps point the direction to further change.
He turned his attention to what the data on travel patterns might mean in Kirklees, noting that this would mean different things in different places:
- The centre of Huddersfield is bounded by a 1970s inner-ring road which is very car dominated. To revitalise the city centre and grow the housing and retail vitality will require a rebalancing to pedestrians and cycle infrastructure.
- The public transport opportunities to serve more rural communities are limited. Decarbonisation here might need to prioritise electrification and a new approach to car sharing and demand-responsive public transport.
- The differences in behaviour and needs of different age groups are really significant. A diversity of options will be important if decarbonisation is to be part of everyone's futures.
While it was evident that the on-going shifts in travel behaviour have not yet been grasped as an opportunity for change, the potential to capitalise on them will vary depending on what land is made available for future population and employment growth.
This again varies across place although Huddersfield, like most towns and cities is facing a challenging retail environment and could take a lead on shifting over to housing-led revitalisation of the city centre.
This puts people in places with great accessibility by public transport and that remains central to people's capacity to live less car dependent lifestyles. In a very lively discussion of the presentation it was clear that, at the heart of a vision for a less car dependent Kirklees, comes the need for a clear vision for the sort of place citizens wanted to live in.
Meeting: Talk on Huddersfield in 50 buildings
Report by David Wyles
Chris Marsden, former HCS Chairman, outlined some of the 50 buildings identified in his book Huddersfield in 50 Buildings at an illustrated talk to HCS members on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.
Chris's expansive knowledge of the history and architecture of the town was matched by some outstanding photography by Andrew Caveney, as well as many historic images.
Focusing on buildings that still exist, Chris's celebration of the town's magnificent built heritage ranged from the late 18th century canal warehouse at Aspley to more recent developments.
They included Queensgate Market, the John Smith's Stadium and, a favourite of Chris's, Broadbent's Bath House on Queen Street South, a rare, possibly unique example of a purpose-built bath house for foundry workers.
Chris not only outlined what he felt was special about each building but gave a glimpse of the remarkable stories behind such features as the lion on Lion Arcade, the building of Estate Buildings and the outstanding engineering of Lockwood Viaduct.
The talk followed the society's AGM which highlighted the progress and achievements over the past year.
Chris's book, published by Amberley Publishing is available from local bookshops and costs £13.49.
Chris Marsden, former HCS Chairman, outlined some of the 50 buildings identified in his book Huddersfield in 50 Buildings at an illustrated talk to HCS members on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.
Chris's expansive knowledge of the history and architecture of the town was matched by some outstanding photography by Andrew Caveney, as well as many historic images.
Focusing on buildings that still exist, Chris's celebration of the town's magnificent built heritage ranged from the late 18th century canal warehouse at Aspley to more recent developments.
They included Queensgate Market, the John Smith's Stadium and, a favourite of Chris's, Broadbent's Bath House on Queen Street South, a rare, possibly unique example of a purpose-built bath house for foundry workers.
Chris not only outlined what he felt was special about each building but gave a glimpse of the remarkable stories behind such features as the lion on Lion Arcade, the building of Estate Buildings and the outstanding engineering of Lockwood Viaduct.
The talk followed the society's AGM which highlighted the progress and achievements over the past year.
Chris's book, published by Amberley Publishing is available from local bookshops and costs £13.49.
Meeting: Lecture on the Eddington development
Report by John Lockwood
A large audience of Civic Society members, guests and students attended our annual lecture held jointly with the University's School of Architecture in March 2019.
The new Oastler building is proving an ideal venue for such important events. Our speaker was Kristof Keerman, Project Architect from Stanton Williams, a prestigious, large London-based practice.
We learned how they, with a number of similar practices, including Wilkinson Eyre, of tilting Tyne Bridge fame, are creating a new suburb for Cambridge on greenbelt land on a site similar in size to the large plots of the newly released development land in Kirklees.
Built at a high density yet with generous sized rooms, the combined skills of so many different designers are creating an innovative settlement for the future. It was interesting to hear of the project models made to get the juxtaposition of buildings, pathways, cycle tracks and roads correct.
Building to a high density allowed space in the development for leisure purposes. Besides an attractive town centre, there is a nursery and junior school, community centre, health centre, supermarket and shops.
Amazingly, each flat or house has a separate sheltered space for two cycles!
Built at one grade lower than 'Eco-house standard, dwellings are provided with heating and hot water from a community boiler and rainwater is recycled around the site and incorporated into an attractive small lake. Even the waste bins are doing their bit – each being fitted with an electronic chip which indicates when they are full and should be collected!
We felt the timing of this well illustrated talk was fortuitous giving food for thought when new large housing schemes are planned in Kirklees.
A large audience of Civic Society members, guests and students attended our annual lecture held jointly with the University's School of Architecture in March 2019.
The new Oastler building is proving an ideal venue for such important events. Our speaker was Kristof Keerman, Project Architect from Stanton Williams, a prestigious, large London-based practice.
We learned how they, with a number of similar practices, including Wilkinson Eyre, of tilting Tyne Bridge fame, are creating a new suburb for Cambridge on greenbelt land on a site similar in size to the large plots of the newly released development land in Kirklees.
Built at a high density yet with generous sized rooms, the combined skills of so many different designers are creating an innovative settlement for the future. It was interesting to hear of the project models made to get the juxtaposition of buildings, pathways, cycle tracks and roads correct.
Building to a high density allowed space in the development for leisure purposes. Besides an attractive town centre, there is a nursery and junior school, community centre, health centre, supermarket and shops.
Amazingly, each flat or house has a separate sheltered space for two cycles!
Built at one grade lower than 'Eco-house standard, dwellings are provided with heating and hot water from a community boiler and rainwater is recycled around the site and incorporated into an attractive small lake. Even the waste bins are doing their bit – each being fitted with an electronic chip which indicates when they are full and should be collected!
We felt the timing of this well illustrated talk was fortuitous giving food for thought when new large housing schemes are planned in Kirklees.
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