In July, 28 members of Nottinghamshire Environmental Association made the journey to the Piece Hall in Halifax.
The Piece Hall is named for the ‘pieces’ of cloth sold by home weavers; a ‘piece’ was 30 yards (27 metres) long. Built in 1779, it was designed to showcase the significance of the wool trade in Yorkshire and is the only complete cloth trading hall remaining in Britain. Despite its vast size, the Hall was only used for two hours each week, from 10.00am to 12.00pm on Saturdays.
Only 20 years after its completion, mechanisation of weaving began in England, introducing large mills that could not be competed with by home weavers. The need for the Piece Hall declined, and alternative uses were required to maintain the building. From 1871 until the early 1970s, it served as a fresh food and fish market, but it was later threatened with demolition. A narrow vote spared it from being demolished entirely.
Now a Grade I listed building, the Piece Hall was restored with a £19million grant and is managed by trustees. It now hosts concerts and displays, and features a number of cafés, restaurants, bars, and shops. Most members of the group took a tour with knowledgeable guides who shared stories about the Hall and Ann Lister – of Gentleman Jack fame – walking over the nearby hills from her home at Shibden Hall.
The afternoon was spent at Nostell Priory, now owned by the National Trust. The site originally housed a Priory, which was destroyed by Henry VIII. Nostell was built with profits from the textile trade, specifically from London, by the Winn family in the 1650s. They owned it for over 300 years before it passed to the National Trust.
Like many great houses in Britain, Nostell served as a status symbol, an ostentatious display of wealth and position. The house went through many expansions, often with rooms that were built but never used or decorated. It was only after discovering iron ore on another estate owned by the Winn family in Lincolnshire – which became the Scunthorpe steelworks – that the house was completed, 150 years after its construction began. The house is a treasure trove of high-quality items, including Thomas Chippendale furniture and early clocks.
Despite the weather, both visits were enjoyed by all participants.
On 4th August, the Annual Association Picnic took place, marking the first time it could be held outdoors in four years. 34 members attended the event at Church Farm in West Drayton, the home of Association members Bob and Isobel Adam. A celebration cake marking the 85th anniversary of the Association was cut, and Prosecco was served to all members who wished to partake.
The first indoor meeting of the autumn will be held on Thursday 3rd October, starting at 7.30pm, and is entitled ‘Wildlife of the Yorkshire Coast’. Indoor meetings take place at Hallcroft Community Centre off Randall Way, Retford. The cost for non-members is £3.50 per person (members £2.00).
For further information contact: Adrian Blackburn (adrian.blackburn@sky.com or 07718 766873) or Paul Willcock (paul@paulwillcock.com or 07581 531595). New members are always very welcome in this friendly group!