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← Pontefract Civic Society

2024-12-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2024 PONTEFRACT civic SOCIETY poKrrFfR..IcT - The King's Award for Voluntary Service The MBE for volunteer group5 ntrfraet

Chair’s Review of 2024 4 Patron’s Address 7 President’s Address 8 Vice Chair’s Report 8 Planning Group Report 10 Design Awards 2024 12 Highways Group Report 16 Heritage Group Report 16 Heritage Open Days 18 Rail Group Report 19 Community Connectors Group 20 Decoration Squad Report 21 Our Trustees & Working Groups 23 Report of Trustees 24 Treasurer’s Report 25 2025 Calendar of Events 26 2024 Annual Accounts 27

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Venue provision: Town Hall, Library and Castle (WMDC), The Old Grocers, Tracked Spider Solutions, King’s Croft Hotel, Pontefract Methodist Church, The Magistrates Market, The Blue Bell, Cromwells and The Red Lion

Heritage Open Days: : All venues, exhibitors, speakers, workshop hosts, and tour guides, too many to mention Ticket/book outlets: Michelle’s Flowers, The Old Grocers, House of Ales, Pomfret Gallery, Pontefract Library, and Magistrates Market

Decoration Squad: Both civic society members, other volunteers including schools

Decorations collection points: Library, Yorkshire Building Society, and Michelle’s Flowers

Photography courtesy of: Christine & Paul Cartwright, Peter Ferrari, Medlock Photography, Phil Cook, Rhona Crichton, design award winners and agents, KRA:FT Media Services/Wakefield Civic Society

Window decoration judges: Pontefract Academies Trust schools and St Giles CofE Academy

: 01977 708658

: instagram.com/pontefractcivicsociety/

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CHAIR’S REVIEW OF 2024

The highlight of the year has to be confirmation that we were awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service of which I am extremely proud.

I am pleased to report that our membership grew modestly through 43 new members across all categories. We thank again new members for joining the civic family (see graph). We did incur some losses as did Pontefract as a whole; I attended funerals of Lion George Morgan, Tom Dixon (‘Mr Liquorice’), and our founder member, Allan R Blaza.

The Board of Trustees was strengthened by the addition of Canon Andrew Sage, Planning Coordinator, who brings with him 18 years of experience in a similar role with Blackpool Civic Trust. Also, after a pause following the 2024 AGM elections, Rachael Anderson filled the vacant spot of Honorary Secretary.

By contrast, activities within each working group have been a mixed bag with most meeting from time to time, except the Futures Group which only met once, and the Business Group continuing to be covered by myself and Phil Cook, as and when needed. The renamed Community Connectors Group has been particularly active, which is good to see.

I have deliberately scaled back my involvement in the Highways Group and Rail Group as progress with stakeholder projects is so slow, and this allowed me to be more productive in other areas, whilst also getting some much needed free time. Although it doesn’t look like I’ve scaled back on other areas of the civic society,

I am quite prepared to allow other trustees and key members to participate in some of the events that usually fall to me. Furthermore, the door remains open, on every working group and indeed the Executive, for members to volunteer.

BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER LOCAL GROUPS

STAKEHOLDER WORKING AT NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL

~~MEMBERSHIP BY TYPE~~

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2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
ZH HH#H#8F& BS
70
67
60 60
58 [59]
50 52 48 50 48 [49] 48
45
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40 39
37
32
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24
20 22
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13
10 10 10 [12] [13] 12 12 10 12 10 12 [14] 12
0 4 4 4 [5] 0 5 5 8 4 3 5 3 2 5 [6] 4 7 7 0 1 3 [4] 7
Individual Family Junior Civic Community Business Business Business
Society Group Bronze Silver Gold
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trustees

• The Yorkshire Society – project managing the Yorkshire Heritage Summit at Hull Minster including a live interview with BBC Radio Humberside, and early planning of the 2025 Heritage Summit at Skipton Town Hall

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Publicity for talks supported by Chris Walker, plus events, press releases, and submissions to YHACS newsletter, and Civic Update

GOVERNANCE, ADMINISTRATION & LOGISTICS

WORKING FOR PONTEFRACT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WAKEFIELD MDC ~~oo~~

Throughout the year, I’ve had in person and online meetings with officers and elected members at all levels and across various departments, and Phil Cook has equally contributed to most of these meetings. Examples are:

• Two meetings on the Dispensary/PGI site with Wakefield Council, Homes England and URbanism consultants

• Supporting ‘Our Year’ including visiting The Hatchling outside Wakefield Cathedral, and supplying our ongoing event content

NOW FOR 2025

To repeat my previous mantra: more of the same from 2024 to make the civic society more effective - more delegation, more new members, and more active members.

In leading Pontefract Civic Society’s board of trustees through to the 2026 AGM, my role will ensure we deliver and strengthen the awardwinning premier civic organisation in Pontefract:

• Making the board more strategic by co-opting trustees especially from business professions, whilst ensuring trustees delegate operational tasks through coordinators to working groups

Paul Cartwright | Chair, Board of Trustees

HONORARY PATRON’S ADDRESS

One of my duties as a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) is not only to actively promote the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to the Charitable voluntary sector, but also to identify those who I believe would meet the challenging criteria for gaining this Award.

I can assure you this is no easy task and not to be undertaken lightly, as to raise false hopes would damage the reputation of the West Yorkshire Lieutenancy as well as the morale of the charity concerned.

Having been a successful assessor for many years, I was confident that when, as Patron, I broached the idea of seeking nomination for the Award with the Chairman he would take the matter very seriously. We went through the stringent criteria and he agreed that he and his team would indeed take up the challenge. Then the hard work began, culminating in meeting the designated assessors. I know when all concerned met the two assessors who were to write up their report for the Lord Lieutenant on what they had seen and observed, they fully experienced how rigorous the whole procedure was – I am sure quite draining for everyone involved at the end of it all.

I totally agree with the President of Pontefract Civic Society that the Chairman provides inspired leadership and his executive and volunteers have totally bought into his vision for the Society and its role within the Pontefract community. That is its real strength and one which I so much admire.

The Cabinet Office normally lets nominees know if they have been unsuccessful a week before the King’s Birthday. I and everyone else involved with Pontefract Civic Society must have been on tenterhooks but thankfully we heard nothing that week – it had to be good news?!!

Confirmation was provided (not to be published or

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announced until the King’s Birthday) on the evening before. I have to say that this is not only a remarkable achievement, but a historic one.

My understanding is that Pontefract is the first Civic Society to gain the award – first among equals. I very much look forward to being with you all when the Lord Lieutenant makes the presentation of the Award. Note that unlike most awards this certificate is personally signed by the King.

May the Society continue to go from strength to strength!

Michael Sayles-Fox DL | Hon Patron

HONORARY PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

One of the things that is frequently said to me by older members of the community is that it is sad to see the changing (and perhaps the passing) of the old social structures that we valued and were used to.

And this is nowhere more evident than in witnessing the demise of local societies. Time was when there were dozens of local societies in Pontefract catering for a wide variety of interests, but many of them have now passed and some of those that remain only retain an increasingly elderly membership and struggle to keep themselves afloat. But there are those that successfully adapt to social changes and it gives me great pleasure to report that Pontefract Civic Society has bucked this trend and is going from strength to strength. It has embraced the changes and challenges that modern technology has brought, widened its appeal, and by all normal measures (the modern vogue-word is

‘metrics’) has improved its offer to the public. The past year has seen an increase in activity with more events, a record number of visitor destinations in the Heritage Open Days, a full Talks schedule and increased cooperation with business interests in the Town, all of which has resulted in an increase in membership. The achievements of the year have been crowned by a King’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is a cause for great celebration.

None of this could happen of its own accord and the success has been due to the hard work of the Executive and our various Working Groups under the leadership of our Chairman, to whom our thanks are due.

It is likely that communities will always be interested and concerned about where they live and that is true of the people of Pontefract. It is the role of this Society to celebrate its historic past, its changing present and its future development and we invite others with an interest in the wellbeing of the Town to join with us in working to this end.

Peter Cookson | Hon President

VICE CHAIR’S REPORT

I believe that 2024 has been ie one of the most important years for the civic society = y to become more integrated in the town’s future, not just with the promotion and development of the tourist and visitor experience the town, but also the society f being seen as a driving force in the town and being involved in the major developments in the town’s infrastructure.

2024 has been a year of greater engagement and strengthening the way the society works and building new relationships. Wakefield District Housing Neighbourhood Panel meetings, which I attend representing the civic society as an independent member representative of the town, which I have continued to attend when possible. I was pleased to again support the Friarwood Festival as Safety Officer and input to event management, both roles I which will continue into 2025.

We were approached by Castleford and Pontefract Lions Club to come up with an alternative to the Lantern Parade which due to costs and logistics had become impractical. Sitting down with them we were able to put an alternative forward to use the Market Hall to display the lanterns that had been created from the workshops. This was agreed with the markets team and hopefully after the success in 2024 it will grow in the forthcoming years. I was also able to give

support to Pontefract Celebration of Singing, which saw a collaboration of choirs performing at the Town Hall, raising funds for The Prince of Wales Hospice. As an advocate for the town and its community, I was also pleased to represent the civic society at various meetings with ward councillors and council officers, events team and markets team, where we were able to have direct input into the town’s events and the Market Hall red telephone box refurbishment. In short 2024, has been a year of ups and downs but definitely ended on a high with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service and reflecting on all the success we’ve had in the year.

Not being one to sit back, I proposed to trustees in September that I look at raising money to instal a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) on the Town Hall. We were taken aback at how our members, local businesses, schools, community groups, and individuals got behind this. The target was smashed, allowing us to instal not just one AED, but four at the following locations Cartners No.5, The Old Post Office, Town Hall, and Michelle’s Flowers.

Usage 2024 from October

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VENUE DEFIB USED ACTION
Town Hall Nov Online
Old Post Office 3 Deploy Not Attached
Cartners No 5 12 Deploy Not Attached
Michelles 1 Deploy Not Attached
Flowers
TOTAL 16
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We are already planning on how to improve our major events WheelFest24, 1940’s Day, Liquorice Shoots by adding different attractions to the events and building upon the invasion of the Star Wars characters and much more. We will need support on the event days to ensure the events are a success so if you feel you can volunteer please come forward

VICE CHAIR HIGHLIGHTS 2024

Phil Cook | Vice Chairman

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PLANNING GROUP REPORT

Introduction - Having acted as Planning Officer for Blackpool Civic Trust for almost 18 yrs I arrived at my new home in Hemsworth in September 2022. I visited Pontefract for the very first time – to visit a couple of the shops.

I was at once taken by the place and determined to become involved with Pontefract Civic Society as soon as I had settled into my new home and job at Archbishop Holgate Hospital and as time allowed. The rest as they say, is history! I joined the Planning Group in early 2024 and took on the role of coordinator in September 2024. I am still a very new boy, and this has certainly affected how I exercise the role. Whilst I often ask old questions, I like to think that I can sometimes add a new perspective. The planning group continues to monitor changes to land and buildings in Pontefract town centre and surroundings. Few new buildings have appeared in the year and the number of planning applications compared to pre-covid continues to be low.

• The Group relies heavily upon individual members of the Planning Group pointing out past works – some good and some not so good. They also continue to monitor new scaffolding, finding out what is proposed, does it have planning permission, is one needed? We all regularly examine the local authority web site to identify redevelopment schemes and planning needed.

The major highlight for me was helping the group to identify and choose the 2024 Design Awards. Site visits were well appreciated and informative for all concerned. Other slight changes continue to highlight the attractiveness visually and environmentally of our town.

THOUGHTS FOR 2025 – INCLUDING SOME REPEATS FROM EARLIER REPORTS

~~OO~~

• We need to review what group members do collectively versus individually, this will provide more clarity, and we could certainly do with some new members in the group.

• We will continue the good work of the Design Awards, starting our assessments earlier; it’s already a wellrun and well-received process, though if we can improve it including category criteria, we’ll look to do that. We are also in the very early stages of a review as to where and when the ceremony is held.

DONATIONS & BEQUESTS

Have you thought of making a donation to Pontefract Civic Society during your lifetime, or leaving us some money in your will?

Pontefract Voice and our Annual Reports show the tremendous work the civic society does to make Pontefract a better place; new projects always need support. The civic society is both independent and non-political.

We would be absolutely delighted if you would make a donation or a bequest. Both the Chair and Vice Chair are available if you wish to discuss this in more detail.

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PONTEFRACT PLACEMAKING AT ITS BEST!

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DESIGN AWARDS 2024 - BUILDINGS AND SPACES MAKE PONTEFRACT A BETTER PLACE

Pontefract Civic Society recently hosted its Design Awards for 2024 at Pontefract Town Hall in the presence of Cllr Darren Byford, Wakefield Council Mayor, and accompanied by his Consort, Peter.

energy costs and taxes have put added pressure on running a business.

The award was collected by Ted Newton on behalf of Farmer Copleys Kitchen new build. He said, “We’re thrilled that Copleys Kitchen won the Environmental Sustainability Award. Sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do – from sourcing local, seasonal ingredients to reducing waste and implementing eco-friendly practices throughout our kitchen and farm. This award is a testament to our team’s dedication and our commitment to preserving the environment while offering an exceptional experience to our visitors. A huge thank you to the Civic Society for recognising our efforts.”

Awards were presented by the mayor in front of a gathering of business and property owners, contactors, and civic society members, .

Civic Society Chair, Paul Cartwright said “this is an evening to celebrate regeneration projects which enhance the historic streetscape, Pontefract Racecourse and open spaces of Pontefract as a place for residents and visitors to shop, relax, and enjoy.” The civic society presented the Countess of Rosse Façade of the Year award to The Galway Girl for respecting and conserving the historic frontage of the former HSBC, and the London City & Midland Bank Limited. The Galway Girl was nominated in three categories and they walked away with two justifiable awards.

Other awards presented on the night were:

• Improvement Award – Pontefract Racecourse Weighting Room complex for officials, media, jockeys and valets

Tony Lumb, owner, said, “We are beyond proud to receive these awards from Pontefract Civic Society”. Also, for the very first time, Pontefract Civic Society presented a new award category – Environmental Sustainability Award which had been on the radar for a few years waiting for the right project. Paul Cartwright explained that over a number of years shifts in planning policy, the climate change crisis, rise in

At the start of the ceremony, Pontefract Civic Society’s newly appointed Planning Coordinator, Canon Andrew Sage (formerly of Blackpool Civic Trust) encouraged those present to appreciate the town centre’s heritage buildings by looking up above the shop fronts.

On Mon 27 Jan, Pontefract Civic Society hosted its Design Awards for 2024, in the Georgian Nelson Room of Pontefract Town Hall which were presented by Cllr Darren Byford, Mayor of Wakefield District Council accompanied by his Consort, in front of a gathering of business and property owners, contractors, community volunteers, representatives from Wakefield Council, and civic society members.

Civic Society Chair, Paul Cartwright said “this is an evening to celebrate regeneration projects which enhance the historic streetscape, destinations, and open spaces which make Pontefract a great place.”

Paul Cartwright was MC for the night and the awards being presented were:

Tony Lumb, The Galway Girl owner, said, “We are beyond proud to receive these awards from Pontefract Civic Society”.

The evening was also an opportunity for the civic society to launch their new category of Environmental Sustainability where Ted Newton, Marketing Coordinator at Farmer Copley’s said “Sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do – from sourcing local, seasonal ingredients to reducing waste and implementing eco-friendly practices throughout our kitchen and farm”.

Canon Andrew Sage, the civic society’s newly co-opted Planning Group Coordinator said when looking around any town or city centre, that we should look up to admire the rich architecture that is all around us.

Cllr Darren Byford, thanked Paul Cartwright for showing leadership in Pontefract supported a group of active volunteers, and in congratulating the winners, he went onto say, “the town is very lucky to have a civic society that does things differently to many others, led by a chair that knows which buttons to press for Pontefract”.

Canon Andrew Sage Planning Group Coordinator

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2024 AWARD WINNERS

Environmental Sustainability Award Copley’s Kitchen, Farmer Copley’s

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Regeneration Award
Galileo’s Show Bar
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Improvement Award The Weighing Room complex at Pontefract Racecourse

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Heritage Award
The Galway Girl
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Regeneration Award Galileo’s Show Bar

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Special Commendation
Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens
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HIGHWAYS GROUP REPORT

The Highways Group held three meetings this year at Central Methodist Church. After these meetings, we met with Wakefield Council Transportation officers online.

In advance of the start in 2025 of the Streets for People traffic reduction scheme, the traffic

gyratory scheme around All Saints Church has been completed and appears to be working well. Introduction of it is hoped that the displacement of traffic caused by the traffic reduction measures will strengthen the need.

Members attended the consultation held by West Yorkshire Combined Authority on the definitive plans for the Leeds to Pontefract Corridor Improvement Scheme, which has reduced in scope and provides a signalled pedestrian crossing at the park entrance roundabout, some highway improvements and improvements to the cycle route through the park. This scheme is unlikely to be delivered before 2027.

The scheme to introduce bus lanes on Southgate between the Town End roundabouts and Valley Road are being re-evaluated because of a shortfall in the funding available from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

We await plans for changes to traffic arrangements within Pontefract Park, following a review carried out by the Council’s Streetscene Team, which will reflect the increase in traffic to and from Aspire@ThePark and the Huggamug as well as the improvements to the children’s play area and the lake.

We continued to raise the importance of providing an accessible level pedestrian link between the Prince of Wales Park housing development and the footpath to Colonels Walk, which is a condition of the planning permission. The stepped pedestrian link which Avant Housing have provided does not satisfy this condition. The failure of the rising bollards to protect the town centre traffic free precinct continues to be a major concern and we have regularly raised this with WMDC. The South Featherstone Link Road has been on our agenda throughout the year and there is growing pressure from housing developers to provide access to south Featherstone. WMDC and WYCA are awaiting the outcome of their consultants’ evaluation of the new road linking the Warhorse with the Crematorium. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s efforts to promote bus usage continue with the single bus fares cap of £2 and the introduction of additional evening bus journeys on local routes operated by Arriva. Although there are doubts that both these initiatives will continue throughout 2025.

The repairs on the A1 to the Wentbridge viaduct and the Wentedge Road bridge are set to continue until summer 2025. The damaging effects of diverted traffic will continue and any repairs to the surrounding roads are the responsibility of the Local Authority.

For 2025 the Group will continue to meet in advance of our regular meetings with Wakefield Council officers. Regrettably no new members joined the Group this year, but we will continue to seek new members for the Group.

Anthony Dee

Highways Group Coordinator & Administrator

HERITAGE GROUP REPORT

2024 has been another busy year for the Heritage Group, with a productive blend of individual and collective achievement, and as the year progressed, we’ve even roped in additional volunteers working remotely on a number of projects. More of that later.

SPEAKER OPPORTUNITIES

In June, I was invited to speak at the Heritage Trust Network roadshow at Unity Works in Wakefield. In July, I presented what we do for Heritage Open Days at the Wakefield & District Family History Society AGM in Outwood, and later that month I an illustrated talk on Pontefract’s blue plaques to 25 members of Upton Ladies Group. In November, I attended the Pontefract Conservative Ladies Lunch to deliver an illustrated talk to 50 ladies on the area immediately surrounding the club from Bridge Street through Market Place and Gillygate and onto Southgate.

WORKING WITH WAKEFIELD COUNCIL - ‘OUR HERITAGE OUR STORIES’ AND MORE

TOWN CRIER IS NOW FULLY EMBEDDED IN THE CIVIC SOCIETY

John Turner is a member of our Heritage Group, Community Connectors Group and the Talks & Tours Group, and it is the former being reported here. In January, John took the lead in the livery research and redesign, including costs which needed significant funding. Though by May, a letter to the Freemasons for support for replacement livery was deemed unsuccessful.

Having previously been integral to the creation of the Heritage Framework, in May, we supported Our Heritage Our Stories Showcase in Pontefract Library and Our Heritage Our Stories Framework Launch at Wakefield Town Hall, one week later. This was also followed in July by an initial meeting in Wakefield with Tegwen Roberts, the newly appointed Heritage Development Manager between myself Phil Cook, vice chair.

We’ve worked with Library supervisor, Lee Wilson, to ensure stocks of all the heritage books we sell are available to purchase at the library. We facilitated the repainting of the Market Hall blue plaque on conclusion of the building’s refurbishment project. Then in July, a council-funded Liquorice Walk and map based on past and present factory and garth locations was delivered as a health walk during Liquorice Shoots and the Liquorice Festival. Phil Henfrey and Derek Norfolk are thanked for their research, and John Turner for his support. v/akefieldcouncil ed ~~.~~ *

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In June, John recommended delivery of weekly engagement sessions in the library, and they were successful, alongside regular proclamations on the street promoting events and activities in Pontefract, not just ours, as well, as showcasing community groups, businesses and market traders, and occasionally addressing residents and visitors as they pass by.

By July, contacts were established with the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers ahead of a 2025 application, which also required the support of the Mayor of Wakefield Council. He then went visit the Knaresborough town crier in October, seeing him and his deputy in action around the historic town. The Executive gave the ‘go ahead’ to use our funds for replacement Town Crier livery.

By November, the new blue and gold livery had been received and a photo opportunity took place with John Turner and I stood outside Pontefract Town Hall. We also recognised that whilst the town crier’s role has a big heritage focus, it is equally about community engagement and communication of activities from all aspects of the civic society and the wider community, and therefore, the role was then formally transferred to the Community Connectors Group coordinated by Phil Cook. A new booking process has also been created to cater for both community and commercial opportunities.

16 | Registered charity number 513509

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk | 17

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS FESTIVAL RECORDS BEST EVER SUCCESS!

63 in person and online events was our best ever Heritage Open Days festival for Pontefract and the surrounding area, even stretching out to Hemsworth, Womersley, Kellington and Pollington. 26 brand new events and activities were delivered, engaging many partner organisations and places which were new to the festival, such as Featherstone Male Voice Choir’s Celebration of Singing, a Quaker Businesses Walk, Electric Dreams talk on women in the electrification industry delivered by the University of Leeds. HOD2024 was a remarkable collective achievement including support from staff at Pontefract Castle and Pontefract Library. As the council culture grant was refused, we paid for the 800 booklets ourselves this year.

Regular attractions included the town hall, the racecourse, masonic hall, Darrington farming walk, the Rosse Observatory, and five different walks around Pontefract’s conservation areas, two led by local historian and public speaker, Eric Jackson. New online slideshows of our four cinema/theatres and our nautical connections were also available on Facebook.

Over 1,400 people attended events in our programme, and top of the leader board was the

Celebration of Singing, and St Giles Church had record numbers on the ringing chamber visit, whilst Womersley Church had visitors from Manchester and Sheffield who had a plan to visit other HOD sites in our area, so our publicity is definitely working. We were really pleased with the positive response from all of our partners and the public who were both enthusiastic and really interested in Pontefract’s rich heritage. Everyone enjoyed the variety in our extensive programme, and I was pleased to see some faces at multiple events, which must suggest that we’ve got it right.

PLAQUES FOR POMFRETIANS

In February, we were fortunate to receive a grant of £5,000 from the UK government Shared Prosperity Fund monitored by Wakefield Council and supported by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Mayor. We already had a list of potential recipients, though we

did allow other nominations to be considered during the project. I also sought out a good negotiation with a supplier in Whitby, which allowed us to research past Pomfretians and then purchase eight blue plaques instead of the planned six.

Outside if this project, Pontefract Rotary Club were invited to pay the refurbishment costs for all or part of 10 plaques that they had installed over the years, though they declined due to low membership and

funds. Stocks of our Blue Plaque Guide were delivered to Pontefract Museum and Pontefract Library at intervals throughout the year.

SUPPORT FOR OTHER HERITAGE AND CULTURE EVENTS

In November, we attended The Liquorice Story drama production from New College students, and the Panto Society exhibition launch at the museum, then in December, the New College music students Christmas performance in St Giles Church.

PLANS FOR 2025

Paul Cartwright | Interim Heritage Coordinator Supported by Phil Henfrey | HOD Coordinator

RAIL GROUP REPORT

Members of the Rail Group have met seven times through the year at Central Methodist Church.

We have held online meetings with officers from the rail team at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, who recognise and support our arguments about improving rail links to Goole and Doncaster. Their influence over the rail network appears limited and their financial priorities will be on bus service franchising and the Leeds – Bradford light rail proposals. It is to be hoped that this may change with the Government’s plans for greater local government devolution and a relaxation of the current tight government finances.

The scrapping of the Restoring our Railways Fund has severely weakened the activities and prospects of the Friends of Reopening Askern Station and with it the opportunity to provide a frequent link between Pontefract and Doncaster. The opening of the

Siemens train building factory in Goole may offer an improvement in the Pontefract – Goole service.

The focus of rail funding is concentrated on the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade and the area has benefited from the new Trans Pennine Express Manchester – Castleford – York service. Whilst this is welcome, we are aware of the risk that this poses to the Sheffield – Baghill – York service, and this has already seen the withdrawal of the Sunday service on this line.

Current work on the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade is also having an adverse effect on the reliability of the Grand Central service through Monkhill. The forthcoming December 2025 timetable sees more trains serving Pontefract, but regrettably the current day return on Saturdays to London disappears and we will be encouraging Grand Central to restore this well used facility.

We have been involved in online meetings with officers from Wakefield Council and the consultants on the plans for the installation of the new footbridge and lifts at Monkhill Station, which has suffered from significant delays, but work is now scheduled to start in February 2025.

It has proved a challenge to maintain our links with our MP Yvette Cooper, but we hope that this will improve in 2025. We have attended the Northern Rail Stakeholder conferences and the monthly online updates. Members attend and contribute to the Yorkshire Branch Railfuture meetings.

We have embarked on a project, as members of the Northern Rail Station Adoption Scheme, with art students at New College to install their artwork on Tanshelf station, which Northern hope will tie in with their 200 years of rail 1825 -2025 National publicity campaign.

To engage and learn from the successful activities of other rail station groups we have joined the Community Rail Partnership covering all three Pontefract stations. This gives us access to information, training and appropriate funding.

We continue to be extremely concerned about the deterioration of Baghill station building. We continue to pursue The Arch Company who are responsible for the building, but we recognise it is essential to identify a realistic alternative user for the building.

We will be carrying out further work on the development of our social media outlets and we will continue to raise issues which are designed to increase rail travel and generate new opportunities. Meetings will continue throughout 2025, where we will encourage more members with an interest in local rail to join our group. We thank Dave Hogg for chairing our group meetings, and we are now in need of a Group Coordinator.

Anthony Dee | Rail Group Administrator

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COMMUNITY CONNECTORS GROUP

2024 has been a great year for the Citizenship Group, as it was known at the start of the year.

In January it was relaunched after the effects of Covid had finally meant the group could restart activities fully. The priority was to find new active members and I’m delighted to say we found them and all are very active not only attending meetings with meaningful contributions, but also helping with our events and activities. Many have connections to other organisations which is paying dividends with mutual support. One of the early tasks was to look at the name, which I felt was off putting to some and didn’t reflect what we do as a group . After a lengthy debate and a poll it was agreed the we would rename as “Community Connectors” which would enable us to be identified for what we do and be more appealing to the public, while incorporating the Junior Civic Society and the Decoration Squad into this group, but maintaining their own names and identity.

of Friarwood Valley Gardens based on their application summarising their 2023 projects, which were assessed by our trustees.

Later, we were later able to help with planning and delivery for the Pontefract Celebration of Singing, which saw five local choirs perform in the town hall, arranged by Richard Hirst and Featherstone Male Voice Choir.

The Community Showcase as always one of the first events of the year, was well attended in the town hall. Quickly followed by our two now regular summer events of WheelFest an Liquorice Shoots in the town centre, again partnering with KLH Events. As the group is not one to stand still, we took a gamble by introducing 1940’s Ropergate, adding it as part of Wheelfest24. I’m pleased and relieved to say it paid off and was a great success, and coming back for 2025. We also engaged more with schools and developed our partnership between local educational providers and the town centre businesses and other community groups, such as Featherstone Male Voice Choir. In 2024, we developed the events further bringing Star Wars characters to the town and added two flash mob dances with a local group; both were a first for our town.

We strengthened our partnership with the local schools, including St. Giles Academy and Pontefract Academies Trust; this partnership is still growing. At the end of the year, we had meetings with both King’s en 4 and Carleton heads or deputies to scope out joint opportunities for 2025. It is very safe to say, we are very excited about what will happen in 2025. At our 2024 AGM, we presented the FAIS IE long-awaited Community Group Award to Friends

We introduced our bi-monthly social lunches, which are growing in popularity. OO . )

We introduced our bi-monthly social lunches, which are growing in popularity.

We also worked with Citizen Coin Wakefield to promote rewarding volunteers.

2024 saw the return of our annual calendar to raise funds for The Prince of Wales Hospice, which we did jointly with Pontefract Art Club. Unfortunately, sales weren’t as high as expected due to other calendars being on sale, though Michelle’s Flowers our star sales point did well, and we still gave a donation to the hospice.

I am delighted in the way the whole team has taken this group forward, confirming that the new name of Community Connectors is very well suited and is just right for us, making it possibly one of the busiest and active years we have ever had.

COMMUNITY CONNECTORS GROUP ACHIEVEMENTS

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DECORATION SQUAD REPORT

While 2024 hasn’t been a year of new displays, a ‘police car’ was constructed for WheelFest utilising a mobility scooter courtesy of Parkgate Mobility.

The team built a UXB display, an ARP warden’s box, plus road barriers following the 1940s theme for Ropergate. We placed decorations in the market hall telephone boxes.

DECORATION SQUAD ACHIEVEMENTS

Over 25 flags in the town and a town hall display commemorating VE Day

Phil Cook | Community Connectors Group Coordinator

20 | Registered charity number 513509

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TRUSTEES

Role Name Role Name
Chair Paul Cartwright Planning Coordinator Canon Andrew Sage
Vice Chair Phil Cook Highways Coordinator Anthony Dee*
Secretary Rachael Anderson non-trustee
Treasurer
Citizenship Coordinator
Rail Coordinator
Interim Heritage
Coordinator		 Ian Wood
Phil Cook
Dave Hogg
Paul Cartwright		 Talks & Tours Coordinator
Futures Coordinator
Co-opted
Co-opted
Co-opted		 Dave Hogg
Khalid Rasool (till July)
Dr Colin White
Peter Ferrari
Evelyn Westwood

OUR WORKING GROUPS

Community Rail Heritage Planning Connectors Dave Hogg (C) Paul Cartwright (Interim C) Canon Andrew Sage (C) Phil Cook (C) Philip Henfrey (D) Vacant (D) Philip Henfrey (D) Vacant (D) Anthony Dee (A) Vacant (A) Vacant (A) Vacant (A) Ian Wood Philip Henfrey (HOD Coordinator) Christine Cartwright Paul Cartwright Peter Cookson Phil Cook Paul Cartwright Christine Cartwright Rhona Crichton Rosemary Barnes John Turner Evelyn Westwood Charles Atkin Paul Cartwright Linda Benson Henfrey Mike Farrell Sonia Atkin Chris Hyomes Derek Norfolk Peter Taylor Richard Hirst Tony Hames Diane Atkinson John Turner Keith Shenton (from Dec) Karen Haddock Lynne Hartley Brian Mayhew Bernie Weston Jan Barlow Michale Barlow

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----- Start of picture text -----
Highways Talks & Tours Futures Business
Anthony Dee (C & A) Dave Hogg (C) Khalid Rasool (C) Paul Cartwright
Vacant (D) Colin White (D) Vacant (D) Phil Cook
Derek Vaux Diane Atkinson Vacant (A)
David Hogg Paul Cartwright Paul Cartwright
Peter Cookson Mollie Garbett Phil Cook
Paul Cartwright George Gott Peter Ferrari
Tony Hames Tracy Gott
Derek Norfolk Chris Walker
Ian Wood
Phil Henfrey
----- End of picture text -----

C – Coordinator - D – Deputy Coordinator - A – Administrator

22 | Registered charity number 513509

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REPORT OF TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 31ST DECEMBER, 2024

banners (£273), St Giles Church (£25), Conservation Area materials (£310), Marketing (£1,053), Defibrillators (£3,000), Town Crier livery (£533).

TREASURER’S REPORT

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31st December, 2024.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the SORP accounting policies set out by our Treasurer.

~~ce~~ STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Pontefract Civic Society is a registered charity governed by constitution. The organisation is viable by selfgenerated income from subscriptions and events. Project funding is developed through grant opportunities. There are no plans to recruit an Executive Director, and we intend that the trustees will continue to manage the charity on a voluntary basis. In the long term, paid roles may be considered, should new income or grants sustain a different business model.

RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES

As set out in the Constitution, the Chair of Trustees is nominated by the membership. The trustees are set out in this report and are those in place at AGM. The Board of Trustees has the power to co-opt trustees, as necessary.

TRUSTEE INDUCTION AND TRAINING

The Trustees maintain a good working knowledge of charity, charity law and best practice, supported by attendance at charity training courses, as deemed applicable. This whole area is always under review in order for us to take advantage of opportunities as they arise; we should never stop learning.

ORGANISATION

The Charity is controlled by a Board of Trustees. The day to day running of the charity is led by the Chair and Vice Chair with other trustees in specific roles, as required.

CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Society is established for the public benefit for the following purposes in the area comprising Pontefract and District, which area shall hereinafter be referred to as “the area of benefit”:

PUBLIC BENEFIT

In furtherance of the said purposes, but not otherwise, the Society through its Executive Committee shall have the following powers:

  1. To promote civic pride in the area of benefit.

  2. To promote research into subjects directly connected with the objects of the Society and to publish the results of any such research.

  3. To act as a co-ordinating body and to co-operate with the local authorities, planning committees and all other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities and persons having aims similar to those of the Society.

  4. To promote or assist in promoting activities of a charitable nature throughout the area of benefit.

  5. To publish papers, reports and other literature.

  6. To make surveys and prepare maps and plans and c ollect information in relation to any place, erection or building of beauty or historic interest within the area of benefit.

  7. To hold meetings, lectures and exhibitions.

  8. To educate public opinion and to give advice and information.

  9. To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of subscription, donation and otherwise; provided that the Society shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for its primary purpose. To acquire, by purchase, gift or otherwise, property, whether subject to any special trust or not.

  10. Subject to such consents as may be required by law, to sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of the property or funds of the Society as shall be necessary.

  11. Subject to such consents as may be required by law, to borrow or raise money for the purposes of the Society on such terms and on such security as the Executive Committee shall think fit, but so that the liability of individual members of the Society shall in no case extend beyond the amount of their respective annual subscriptions.

  12. To do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said purposes. We do this by organising membership events and reaching out to non-members to attend public talks and meetings in a ccessible locations and venues.

A number of free public meetings are organised and publicised, which ensures the Society remains accessible, financially viable and sustainable.

The total spend on public benefit was £13,135.

We have supported a number of organisations and events: St Giles with St Mary’s Pantomime Society (£30), Pontefract in Bloom (£650), Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens (£75), The Prince of Wales Hospice (£175), The Royal British Legion (£55), Schools Art Exhibition (£1,214), WheelFest24 (£2,677), Liquorice Shoots (£1,165), Liquorice Shoots Schools Art Trail (£177), Heritage Open Days (£1,097), Decoration Squad (£104), Talks (£522), Christmas

The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

  1. An annual review of the risks.

  2. The establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate risk.

  3. Implementation of the procedures designed to minimise any potential impact should those risks materialise.

ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION OF VOLUNTEERS

Pontefract Civic Society celebrates its commitment to a diverse and skilled volunteer team, and whilst some members have worked hard, it has been patchy, though with some successes recently. There remains much more to do, and volunteers of all backgrounds and experiences are openly welcomed especially transferable skills from professional or community organisations which can benefit the civic society, thus ultimately, the town.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Statement of Financial Activities showed a surplus of £6,050.

RESERVES POLICY

In accordance with the advice of the Charity Commission, the charity aims to hold unrestricted reserves at levels of approximately 12 months of budgeted unrestricted expenditure, to meet unforeseen costs and statutory obligations.

FUTURE PLANS AND DEVELOPMENTS

The main priority continues to be to create a blend of experience and ‘younger blood’, supplemented by relevant governance controls and trustee training, to deliver operational plans:

On behalf of the Board

= mil I am pleased - fi y to present the ; Treasurer’s report for 2024 I can confirm that a = © all expenditure has — « been correctly dual authorised, prior to at | processing payments a! & promptly, when due, and properly allocated/accounted b | for. I would once again like to thank Christopher Hyomes for an effective independent examination of our 2024 Annual Accounts.

2024 has again been another year of considerable activity. The summer saw repeated stagings of WheelFest which incorporated a 1940’s themed event, and “Liquorice Shoots” both of which were organised and run by the Society. Once again various events centred around the Christmas period were also held. Our income in 2024 (£27,953) was considerably higher (almost 30%) than that of 2023 (£21,626), due in the main to a significantly higher level of donations received, particularly in relation to the provision of several defibrillators which we have located in the town centre, together with a £1,000 legacy left to the Society by the late Alan Blaza, a former President of the Society. Our thanks are gratefully extended to the individuals and local businesses that responded to our appeal for funding the defibrillators. Our net costs in 2024 after adjusting for the transfer of funds between accounts amounted to £19,582 which was significantly higher than in 2023 (£15,572). This difference can be put down almost entirely to the costs of the defibrillators (£3,000), and of our 2025 calendars (£1,190). Increases in the costs of events and PR materials were offset by a significant reduction in grant funded expenditure. Expenditure relating to the £5,000 grant received in the year for the provision of several blue plaques will be incurred in 2025. In keeping with previous years the Civic Society has made donations to various local organisations, the principal benefactors once again being Pontefract in Bloom and The Prince of Wales Hospice. The accounts reflect a net cash inflow in the year of £8,371 (2023 £6,050). Cash reserves as at 31st December 2024 stood at £28,758, 89% of which (£25,695) has been ring-fenced for future projects.

Ian Wood | Treasurer

Paul Cartwright | Chair

24 | Registered charity number 513509

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk | 25

EVENTS CALENDAR 2025

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 31 DECEMBER 2024

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

PCS Talk & Events Other events March March ~~Se~~ O 15 Community Showcase and AGM | Pontefract Town Hall 18 Olaf’s Tales of Battle | Chris Cade O ~~eS~~ April April 15 All about Chocolate | Allan Dixon 8 14 30 Pontefract Races O YY) May May ~~eS~~ | ~~O~~ 20 Yorkshire Folk on Holiday in the Early 20th Century ~~O~~ 8 VE Day 80 Christine Leveridge ~~O~~ 23 Pontefract Races | Evening Meeting ~~@~~ 24 KLH Events | Spring Fling - Ackworth Quaker School June June ~~Se @~~ 14 WheelFest25/1940’s Ropergate - Town Centre ~~O~~ 6 Prince of Wales Hospice | Corporate Golf Day 17 The Pontefract Murder | Eric Jackson 9 Pontefract Races Evening Meeting ~~O~~ O 14 KLH Events | Wheelfest - St Giles’ Church O 22 30 Pontefract Races ee ~~Se~~ July July ~~@~~ 12 Liquorice Shoots | Town Centre ~~O~~ 8 Pontefract Races ~~@~~ 13 Liquorice Festival | Town Centre[@] 12 KLH Events | Liquorice Shoots - Pontefract 13 KLH Events | Liquorice Festival - Pontefract Town Hall 15 The Mobile Police Museum | David Hardcastle @ @ O 18 Pontefract Races | Evening Meeting O 19 Prince of Wales Hospice | Cyclothon & Family Fun Day 27 Pontefract Races QO ~~Se~~ August August O 1 Yorkshire Day | Valley Gardens O 9 Friarwood Festival 6 17 Pontefract Races ~~S|~~ September OO September O 16 Aquabox (Clean drinking water charity) | Gordon ee 18 25 Pontefract Races ee 12 - 21 Heritage Open Days October October ~~es~~ «| ~~ee~~ e 21 The Many behind the Few | David Skillern rY) 6 20 Pontefract Races 21 Trafalgar Day November November ~~rs~~ ° Q 18 My visit to the Normandy D-Day Beaches | Dave Hogg | ~~ee~~ 9 Remembrance Sunday Q @ 11 Armistice Day December December ~~eS~~ «ee 6 KLH Events | Christmas Fair - Ackworth Quaker School O

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 31 DECEMBER 2024
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT		 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 31 DECEMBER 2024
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT		 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 31 DECEMBER 2024
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
INCOME
2024
2023
Annual subscriptions received
£4,954
£4.794
~~ee~~
Gift aid
Blue plaques		 £-
£-		 £-
£-
Grants
Donations
Events revenue
Book, calendar, mug, pen and badge sales		 £6.928
£6.954
£6,467
£1,599		 £6.922
£3,565
£4,896
£1,269
Recharge cost of design award plaques
Legacies		 £91
£1,000		 £180
£-
SUB-TOTAL
INCOME FROM MONETARY ASSETS
Transfers between accounts
Loan
Bank interest		 £27,953
£3,502
£-
£-
~~		 ~~
TOTAL INCOME £31,455
~~		 ~~
EXPENDITURE
2024
2023
~~Pe~~
DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE:
Civic Voice		 £224 £251
YHACS
Railfuture		 £50
£25		 £50
£25
Community Rail Network
Events & meetings
Donations		 £90
£6,527
£835		 £90
£3,547
£1,229
SUB-TOTAL
OTHER EXPENDITURE INCURRED:
Defibrillators
Membership refunds
Insurance
Printing & Postage
Grants expenditure
Transfers between accounts
Calendar Printing & Envelopes
Business support costs
PR Materials		 £7,751
£3,000
£20
£1,186
£263
£1,651
£3,502
£1,190
£91
£3,797
~~a~~		 £5,192
£-
£-
£1,208
£317
£5,516
£3,598
£-
£168
£2,325
Website & Other Software Costs
Travel costs		 £-
£-		 £60
£11
Membershiprelated costs
SUB-TOTAL
TOTAL EXPENDITURE INCURRED
OVERALL EXCESS/DEFICIT OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE		 £633
£15,333
£23,804
£8,371
~~——~~
~~sr~~		 £779
£13,982
£19,1745
£6,050
STATEMENT OF ASSETS OF LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
2024
2023
MONETARY ASSETS
Barclays Community A/c (current)
£28,746
£20,3877
Paypal A/c
£12
£-
Totals
£28,758
£20,387
RECONCILIATION OF CASH MOVEMENTS TO BANK BALANCES
Opening bank balances
£20,387
£14,337
Total cash receipts
£31,455
£25,224
LESS: EXPENDITURE
£23,084
£19,174
TOTAL CASH INFLOW
£8,371
£6,050
CLOSING BANK BALANCES
£28,758
£20,387
~~ee~~
~~		 ~~
~~a~~
~~—~~

The Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 December 2024 and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2024 set out above are as approved by the Executive Committee.

Treasurer: IWood (2024) I have examined the Receipts and Payments for the Year 2024 and found it to be in accordance with the records and vouchers produced.

Scan the QR Code to go to the Pontefract Civic Society website

Christopher Hyomes | Independent Examiner | Date: 10 Feb, 2025. P Cartwright | Chairman | Date: 3 Feb, 2025 Charity Commission number 513509

26 | Registered charity number 513509

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COMMUNITY GROUP MEMBERS

Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens • Friends of Pontefract Park • Liquorice Singers • Pontefract Art Club Pontefract Collieries FC • Pontefract Heritage Partnership • Pontefract in Bloom • Pontefract Choral Society Castleford & Pontefract Lions Club •Pontefract Rugby Union Football Club • St Giles Centre • Pontefract Rotary Club Carleton Running Community • Featherstone Male Voice Choir • St Giles with St Mary’s Pantomime Society The Urbane Commune • Pontefract Calligraphers • Ackworth & Pontefract Branch RBL Friends Meeting House (Quakers) • Featherstone Rovers Foundation • Pontefract Community Kitchen

With thanks to Pontefract Print and Design, for the print and design of the Pontefract Civic Society Annual Report 2024.

For more information, contact us by email: xa info@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk or visit us on social media: ® @PontefractCivic

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 31 DECEMBER 2024

Income and Expenditure Account

Income 2024
Annual subscriptions received £ 4,954
Gift aid £ -
Blue plaques £ -
Grants £ 6,928
Donations £ 6,954
Events revenue £ 6,467
Book, calendar, mug, pen and badge sales £ 1,559
Recharge cost of design award plaques £ 91
Legacies £ 1,000
Sub-Total £ 27,953
Income from monetary assets
Transfers between accounts £ 3,502
Loan £ -
Bank interest £ -
Total Income £ 31,455
Expenditure 2024
Direct charitable expenditure:
Civic Voice £ 224
YHACS £ 50
Railfuture £ 25
Community Rail Network £ 90
Events & meetings £ 6,527
Donations £ 835
Sub-Total £ 7,751
Other Expenditure incurred:
Defbrillators £ 3,000
Membership refunds £ 20
Insurance £ 1,186
Printing & Postage £ 263
Grants expenditure £ 1,651
Transfers between accounts £ 3,502
Calendar Printing & Envelopes £ 1,190
Business support costs £ 91
PR Materials £ 3,797
Website & Other Software Costs £ -
Travel costs £ -
Membership related costs £ 633
Sub-Total £ 15,333
Total expenditure incurred £ 23,084
Overall Excess/Defcit of Income over Expenditure £ 8,371
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2024
Monetary Assets 2024
Barclays Community A/c (current) £ 28,746
Paypal A/c £ 12
Totals £ 28,758
Reconciliation of cash movements to bank balances
Opening bank balances £ 20,387
Total cash receipts £ 31,455
Less: Expenditure £ 23,084
Total cash infow £ 8,371
Closing bank balances £ 28,758

The Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 December 2024 and the Sta Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2024 set out above are as approved by the Exe Committee.

Treasurer: I Wood (2024) I have examined the Receipts and Payments for the Year 2024 found it to be in accordance with the records and vouchers produced.

Signed:……….…………………………………Date:…………………………. Signed:…………
Christopher Hyomes Date: 10 Feb, 2025 P Cartwright D
Independent Examiner Chairman
Charity Commission number 513509

2023 £ 4,794 £ - £ - £ 6,922 £ 3,565 £ 4,896 £ 1,269 £ 180 £ - £ 21,626 £ 3,598 £ - £ - £ 25,224

2023 £ 251 £ 50 £ 25 £ 90 £ 3,547 £ 1,229 £ 5,192 £ - £ - £ 1,208 £ 317 £ 5,516 £ 3,598 £ - £ 168 £ 2,325 £ 60 £ 11 £ 779 £ 13,982 £ 19,174

£ 6,050

2023 £ 20,387 £ - £ 20,387

£ 14,337 £ 25,224 £ 19,174

£ 6,050 £ 20,387

atement of cutive

4 and

……………………………………… Date:……………………..

Date: 03 Mar, 2025

TALKS & TOURS GROUP REPORT

Our programme kicked off in January with an intriguing visit to the Rosse Observatory in Carleton. We were made very welcome by the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society.

A special visit took place in August when we toured Production Park in South Kirkby. This complex is simply mind blowing. There are huge staging areas where various famous artists do a practise run with their special effects, lighting and sound. They also manufacture staging and various props on site in the workshops. We were all astounded that such a prestigious and massive facility should be on our doorstep.

In September old favourite Eric Jackson gave us another very professional talk on the UK canal system. Eric took us through their inception and construction, to the decline in the 20th century, and back to the leisure resurgence of the late 20th century.

An interesting presentation was given which detailed how they evolved from meeting in a roof space in a farmer’s barn, to the amazing observatory they have now. We were then taken in groups up to the telescope where we were shown Venus, and various details of the Moon’s surface. This was a truly amazing experience.

Unfortunately in October our scheduled magic show was replaced at the last moment due to a double booking oversight. However, we were treated to a very humorous and unusual presentation on the history of the Denby Dale pies. The details and logistics of baking a world record beating pie were truly incredible. Some said this was the best talk they had ever seen!

February brought us David Jones, our former Mayor, who talked us through his hectic year of office. It was an incredible insight to hear about all the functions he attended and interesting people he met in his term of office.

March was an unusual talk by Circus historian Steve Ward. We were given incredible details of truly amazing feats by women in the Victorian and Edwardian era, including being shot from cannons and dangling from hot air balloons only using their teeth.

In April, fairground historian Steve Smith returned to do part two of the Pontefract’s Statute Fair. Unfortunately this was very disappointing as Steve spent most of the talk repeating part one.

Another unusual talk was given by Jane Ellis in May. Jane showed us many breathtaking images of rail company’s vintage posters. The images were mostly superb images around the UK to entice people to travel on their railway. The design, style and artwork of the posters was incredible.

A rather short presentation about the Battle of Flamborough Head was given in June by local historian Dave Cooke. Details and images were shown of the brief naval battle in which the Royal Navy was humiliated just off Flamborough Head by the maverick turncoat John Paul Jones.

In July, many interesting images of Wakefield and the surrounding area were shown by local historian Christine Leveridge. Details and stories were given of King George V tour of the West Riding in 1912, using Wentworth Woodhouse as their base.

Actor Chris Cade brought the curtain down on our season of talks in November, with a moving performance of Arthur Walker’s Great War. This was the sad tale of an East Yorkshire farmer Arthur Walker’s experiences and tribulations whilst serving in the East Yorkshire’s Wagoners Regiment. There was many a moist eye in the audience.

Attendances have generally been good throughout the year, though we are always keen to attract nonmembers. It is also often difficult to find a volunteer to steward the door; we are considering a rota system.

Dave Hogg | Talks and Tours Co-ordinator.

www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk

Registered charity number 513509