What is the Cragg Vale History Group?

The Cragg Vale History Group has been running since April 2008 and has hosted many interesting talks to date and we have many more planned.

What is our aim?

This valley and the hillsides have so many tales to tell and we want to help share them; some of the more obvious ones that spring instantly to mind are the Coiners (possibly our most infamous “claim to fame”!), the industrial heritage, the Hinchliffe family – and there are so many more large and small waiting to be investigated! Have you heard about Spa Sunday or the Cragg Vale Carols, for instance? It would be a challenge to see how much we can uncover – and, no doubt, to find the time to do it!.

Who are we?

The history group has over 40 members currently and growing - all are welcome! 
Shirley Daniel, Roy Collinge, Yvonne Broadbent and Margaret May are the committee members running this sub group.

How can I join?

If you would like to join the Cragg Vale History Group please contact Shirley Daniel, Roy Collinge or Margaret May or ring 884509, 885068, 886152, or email mailto:shirley@jsd.me.uk.  The annual subscription for CVCA members is £10, CVCA non-members £12, retired household or in full time education £5, non-members £2 per meeting.

What's Planned?

The Cragg Vale History Group meets regularly every month (usually the 1st or 3rd Thursday of each month).  Watch this site for the latest details.  The following meetings are confirmed:

Coming up in December ......

• Thurs 18th Mar – CV History Group - Reminiscences & Old Photos
• Thurs 15th Apr - CV History Group AGM
  

All welcome to join us! (visitors £2)

We now have more news of Duchy Parade Films project to make a full lenght fictional drama film based on the explouts of the local "Cragg Coiners".  A series of workshops took place at the Square Chapel in October and November, to build up a picture of the background of life and times during the period of coining, with contributions from specialists throughout the country. Filming is due to begin in spring next year. Watch this space!!

Anyone intersted in the coiners story may like to check out Steve Hartley's (a decendent of the nortorious David Hartley) website to find out more about the Yorkshire coiners and the Hartley family.

http://www.yorkshirecoiners.com/

For more details please see the Cragg Vale notice board nearer the time or check back on this site.

Future Proposals:

Participation in the Film about the Coiners
Researching the history of Cragg Spa
Building an archive of photos, documents, and oral histories. We have already digitised several hundred old photos that members brought along to the group.

Any other suggestions please let us know.  Come and join us, all welcome!!

What have you missed?

• 20th January - John Hargreaves Cragg Coiners
• 17th December Christmas visit to Stubb
• 19th November - Nick Wilding - “One Man and His Shed” December Christmas Visit to be confirmed
• 22nd October - Ann Kilby - The History of the House of Thornber
• 17th September Doris Hirst and Carole Wolstenholme “Entertainment in Cragg Vale” – Part 2!
• 20th August Yvonne Broadbent “Entertainment in Cragg Vale” – Part 1
• 16th July - Clive Lloyd and David Cant - Castle Carr
• 5th July 09. Visit to Castle Carr Fountain
• 18th June 09. Professor Davies – Sport in the Calder Valley
• 21st May 09.  Cragg Vale Mills (Power from the River)
• Mid April 09. Annual General Meeting and "A race through time"
• 19th March 09.  Nigel Smith - "The Medival Park of Erringden
• 19th February 09. Glyn Lee - "Mytholmroyd Past and Present"
• 15th January 09. Ian Dewhirst "Victorian and Edwardian Leisure"
• 4th December 08. visit to Longley Old Hall, Huddersfield with Supper
• 20th November 08. General meeting -“Reminiscences”, Local Characters
• 23rd October 08. John Billingsley “Folklore”
• 4th September 08. Dr John Hargreaves - Mill Owners of Cragg Vale/Coiners