Yorkshire’s first Heritage Summit

The Yorkshire Society invites all organisations concerned with any aspect of Yorkshire’s heritage, including its own Yorkshire Heritage Guardians, to join them in the historic town of Pontefract, for a special “Heritage Summit”, in partnership with Pontefract Civic Society.

Join us in Pontefract Town Hall – an 18^th century architectural masterpiece in the heart of Yorkshire – for:

1. Special presentations about Yorkshire’s special identity and cultural heritage and how this relates to the business of tourism. This event also marks English Tourism Week (March 18th-27^th) as a celebration of the major contribution made by Yorkshire’s rich cultural heritage to the region’s tourism success.
2. Presentations by selected heritage organisations.
3. Debate on issues related to Yorkshire’s heritage, past, present and future – for the purpose of agreeing common aims and objectives related to the promotion of heritage in Yorkshire.
4. Yorkshire Heritage Fair – Heritage related books, literature, ideas and displays from all over Yorkshire.
5. A tour of the historic Town Hall and an afternoon guided tour with Pontefract Civic Society or part of Pontefract’s historic town centre.

The summit is an opportunity for everyone to discuss how the heritage community of Yorkshire can work together more effectively: to support and promote the work each organisation does, and use the collective influence of the organisations to raise the profile of heritage and create a better understanding of its importance.

Full details of the day’s event, speakers, times, plus lunch and travel arrangements and cost will follow and be circulated to you early in the New Year.

For further information, please contact heritage@theyorkshiresociety.org

For delegate tickets please visit EVENTBRITE PAGE HERE

EVENT OVERVIEW

Objectives:

1. To bring as many existing regional and local Yorkshire Heritage Guardians and potential Guardians together as possible in a face to face situation to encourage an exchange of ideas, feedback on the HG concept, networking between groups, sharing of current problems and opportunities facing voluntary groups in Yorkshire post-Pandemic and to suggest solutions and new ways forward.
2. To visit a particular location in Yorkshire and to share insights into the ways that one Yorkshire Heritage Guardian and Civic Society is responding to these challenges whilst celebrating a unique part of Yorkshire’s local and natural history and sense of place.

0945-1015  Arrival, Registration and Coffee

1015  Welcome from the Yorkshire Society: Geoff  Walsh, Deputy Chairman, The Yorkshire Society

1025  Introduction to the Day – and housekeeping matters Paul Cartwright, Chair, Pontefract Civic Society

1030  Yorkshire Identity and Local Heritage – how the story of the place in which we live helps us to understand who we are.  Colin Speakman Vice Chair PLACE Yorkshire

1100  Yorkshire Heritage and the Visitor Experience  Tim Barber, Yorkshire Association of Blue Badge Guides

1130   Yorkshire’s more than human culture  – wildlife as an Integral Part of local Cultural Heritage   Rachel Bice, CEO Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

1200   Panel discussion

1230 -1330 Lunch & networking time – bring packed lunch (or use local cafes/hostelries).  Tea/Coffees available

1330   The Pontefract Story – a brief outline of the history of Pontefract, its role in English and Yorkshire history and the work of the Pontefract Civic Society, including challenges and opportunities in 2022.  Paul Cartwright

1350 An introduction to Pontefract Town Hall – its history, the building,  its present function

1415-1530  Pontefract on foot – a short guided tour of the town centre with Paul Cartwright and Civic Society Guide members

1530 (optional) a visit to Pontefract Museum

PONTEFRACT

Pontefract is a historic and picturesque market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England, east of Wakefield and south of Castleford. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is one of the towns in the City of Wakefield District.

Wednesday, the day of the Summit is Pontefract’s market day and so a vibrant and busy day is expected. There are good public transport links to Pontefract and plenty of parking (nominal charges) in and around the town centre for those who are driving.

Pontefract Town Hall is an 18th Century architectural jewel located in the heart of the town’s ancient historic centre. Formerly a Magistrates Court, Quarter Sessions and Fire Station, it has been recently restored to its original magnificence and offers a perfect setting for a corporate or private function.

TICKETS and FURTHER INFORMTION

There is a nominal charge of £5 per person (plus booking fee) for attending and to make a booking, or for further informatiion, please contact heritage@theyorkshiresociety.org

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