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Mytholmroyd Historical Society

This website displays information about Mytholmroyd Historical Society which is intended to be of interest and we welcome anyone interested in becoming a New Member.

Next Event

  • 12th April – History of Farming in the Industrial Pennines – speaker  Stephen Caunce.

The society needs an Annual Trip Organiser, if you are interested, please contact our Secretary, Dianne Harwood on 01422 350886.

One of our members, Glyn Lee has produced a book called
“A History of the Cragg Vale Area”
The book is available only in the Calderdale Libraries.
There are copies for library members to borrow at: Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and Halifax.
The book is not for sale, due to its limited publication.

Latest Blog

 

Mytholmroyd Historical Society

 

On Friday evening 9th February 2024, at 7:30pm was the sixth of the Winter programme of lectures for 2023 – 24.

The Speaker was David Hardcastle a retired police officer himself whose topic was titled the Mobile Police Museum.

Despite the dreadful weather about thirty people attended and David gave an excellent & very enthusiastic talk on the title The mobile Police Museum – mobile because his is not a static talk in a specific building or museum but mobile. He brought with him many exhibits of historical and current police defensive weaponry like handcuffs, helmets, etc and not only showed them to the audience but allowed the audience to handle them. But some he announced were not to be activated. As he stated at the beginning since a child he loved museums but the exhibits were static and could not be handled.

A former Bradford police officer himself he stated there is a Police Museum open only on specific days in Bradford Town Hall and also on specific dates there Is a mock trial and jury which is designed for the public but to attend you need to phone up the Town Hall and book a place.

David’s talk was very detailed so I can only provide a summary but as part of his introduction the first police as we know it today were the name Bobbies in 1829 after Home Secretary and later Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. He then went on with various exhibits which as stated the audience were allowed to handle numerous defensive exhibits which included  tapping stick; numerous handcuffs which if people struggled to get free would give more pain, hence the name nippers for the early handcuffs; rattles to make a noise; oil fired lanterns later adapted to prevent burns to the police user including stirrup lights for horses; various truncheons; whistles where a high and low pitch notes gave them their distinctive sound and how these attached to the tunic. He also had numerous types of helmets to show and explained the problem of sticking due to sweat soon made them unusable.

He also mentioned the Treachery Act in the 19th century replaced the difficult to prove Treason Act which made it easier to find people guilty.

He then went on to discuss the role of women in the police force which was first allowed in 1918 and the suitability of their dress for carrying defensive weapons.

In terms of current policing defensive he once again showed numerous exhibits for the audience to handle which included bullet proof vests, riot helmets and shields and tasers.

Overall, it was a very informative and entertaining evening which the audience really enjoyed and were rather sad that time did not allow even more time for questions.

Mrs Julie Wilde gave the vote of thanks

 

The Society meets every second Friday of the month at St. Michael’s Church Hall, Church Street off New Road ( adjacent to the Church ) in the Winter months which runs September to April inclusive at 7.30 pm. This is supplemented by two evening visits in the Summer to two local places of historic interest. The annual day excursion has been revived this year and the trip is to the Elsecar Heritage Centre near Sheffield on Thursday 8th August. Cost is £18.00.                                      Details to be announced later.

Cost of annual membership is £15 and for non-members £5 per visit. ( It is for many cheaper to become a member )  Remember all members and non members are welcome.

 

The next monthly meeting is on Friday 8th March at 7.30pm and the Speaker is Mr Barry Noble whose title is “ Churchill Remembered ”

 

                                                     Mike Darke

                                                     Press Officer

January 18, 2024 in Report

Report on Meeting of 12th January 2024.

On Friday evening 12th January 2024, at 7.30pm there was the fifth of the Winter programme of lectures for 2023 – 24. Sadly, the speaker  should have been David Cant…
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Report on Meeting of 12th January 2024.

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On Friday evening 12th January 2024, at 7.30pm there was the fifth of the Winter programme of lectures for 2023 – 24. Sadly, the speaker  should have been David Cant…

Report on Meeting of Friday 8th December 2023

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Mytholmroyd Historical Society met on Friday evening the 8th December 2023 at St Michael’ s Church, New Road, Mytholmroyd. As usual the Christmas meeting consisted of a short AGM followed…

Report on Mytholmroyd Historical Society Meeting of Friday 10th November 2023.

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Friday evening 10th November was the third of the Winter programme of monthly lectures for 2023-24 and Mr Peter Thornborrow making a return visit to the Society. Peter is very…

The Mytholmroyd Historical Society Website

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On Friday evening 9th February 2024, at 7:30pm was the sixth of the Winter programme of lectures for 2023 – 24. The Speaker was David Hardcastle a retired police officer…