Pride in Pontefract
The newsletter of
Pontefract Civic Society
ISSUE:
Aug, 2012
Talks & Tours 2012
Newsletter feedback
Thu 6 – Sun 9 Sep Heritage Open Days
Tues 25 Sep EGM & Open Forum – Grange
Tues 16 Oct Talk: Methodism in Pontefract ~
Mollie Garbett
Nov TBC Talk: Paralympics ~ Kevan Baler
Tues 4 Dec Society Christmas Dinner –
Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel
Talks - Members £2.00 and Non-members £3.00 per
person.
Extraordinary General Meeting &
Members Open Forum Meeting
Tues 25 Sept ~ The Grange, Carleton
It is necessary for the Society to hold an
EGM, due to issues which arose at our
AGM this year in relation to our
Membership structure. The Executive
wishes to finally clear up this matter
before existing members renew
membership for 2013, and also to support
recruitment of new members. By holding
the EGM now, this will give existing
members plenty of time to make a renewal
decision based on the Proposals, if
approved, relating to the membership
criteria and associated fee structure.
After the formal EGM business and a
coffee break, the Executive would like to
hear from members in an Open Forum on
matters affecting the town and the Society.

Secretary: Paul Cartwright
39 Mill Hill Avenue, Pontefract,
WF8 4JH 01977 708658
pontecivicsociety.secretary@gmail.com
wwwpontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
Also now on Facebook & Twitter
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
Thurs 6 Sept – 10:15, 11:15, 12:15 & 1:15
Narrowbeck House Farm – Tom Dixon
Fri 7 Sept – 10:00 & 11:30
Pontefract Barracks – Col Delaney
Fri 7 Sept - 2:00pm
Conservation Tour – Ian Downes
Fri 7 Sept - 3:00pm
Magazine Tour (booking essential via the
Castle) Pontefract Castle
Sat 8 & Sun 9 Sept - 12:30
Nelson Room, Pontefract Town Hall –
Allan R Blaza
Sat 8 & Sun 9 Sept – 2:15
Heritage Walk, Pontefract Town Centre –
Peter Cookson
Fuller details will be available on each event.
Registered charity number 513509
WHITHER PONTEFRACT?
During the last year or so, two sizeable
housing developments have been
proposed for Pontefract and both,
predictably, have been vehemently
opposed by the residents most affected.
No-one ever seems to want these
developments to take place and, almost
always, the reason given is the
consequential traffic congestion that these
developments will create. To strengthen
the case, issues such as drainage capacity,
pressure on school places and other
factors are also brought in. But should we
always oppose housing development?
When pressed, objectors usually
acknowledge the need for new housing
developments - so long as they are not in
their area. This is all very natural and to
be expected, but these same objectors also
want Pontefract to prosper and be a viable
town, retaining a good variety of shops
and services.
This raises the question of whether
Pontefract can actually remain a viable
free-standing town (as distinct from being
merely a suburb of Wakefield or
Castleford) while, at the same time,
opposing such housing developments.
Fifty years ago, Pontefract and Castleford
were of roughly equal size but Castleford
was rather larger. Today, Castleford is a
good deal larger than Pontefract. Under
proposals for housing growth over the
next 10-20- years, the differential between
the two is set to increase and Castleford
will become considerably larger. In
hierarchical terms, the relationship
between Wakefield, Castleford and
Pontefract in former times might
reasonably have been described by the
pattern 1, 2A, 2B; We are now heading
towards the pattern 1, 2, 3 with Pontefract
very firmly in third place and the
possibility that economic development in
the eastern part of the Wakefield District
may become concentrated in Castleford, to
the possible detriment of Pontefract. This
suggests that, to remain a viable,
freestanding town, Pontefract needs to
prepare for an increase in population to
support it.
Of course, there are good and bad
developments and the Society exists to
promote the kinds of development that
will make Pontefract a better place to live
and work in. While it is by no means the
only factor, a key element in judging
whether a development will enhance the
town or not, is if the right infrastructure is
in place to support it. The Society looks to
the good of the town as a whole, rather
than sectional interest, but has always
taken the view that substantial housing
developments should only be supported if
the necessary infrastructure is put in place
beforehand.
Peter Cookson - Chairman
Christmas Dinner
Provisional Bookings can be made via the
Secretary, for the Society’s Christmas
Dinner at Rogerthorpe in a private room.
£21.95 per person
Pontefract Councillors Meeting
Due to a clash of events in WMDC with
the opening of the new corporate HQ for
the district, the Society was only able to
meet Cllr Tennant and Cllr Dean, and as
yet has not met the newly elected
Councillors. The meeting was a good
exchange of views.
DIAMOND JUBILEE
Paul & Christine Cartwright managed the
Society’s stall at WMDC’s prime event to
support at Pontefract Castle, as part of the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The Society
was able to promote the town’s heritage
and gather support for the newly
emerging Friends of Friarwood Valley
Gardens.
The Society purchased a cardboard lifesize medieval knight, and encouraged
young children to have their photograph
taken stood by the knight.
After the Castle was cleared from the
family fun days, those people with free
tickets were able to gain access to a free
classical concert by the West Yorkshire
Orchestra. The evening concluded with a
fantastic fireworks display and the
lighting of the district’s Diamond Jubilee
Beacon.
Paul Cartwright
OLYMPIC TORCH
Whilst missing out the main town centre,
Pontefract was fortunate to join in with
Olympic fever, as the torch travelled along
Front Street, Jubilee Way, Mill Hill and
Ackworth Road.
THI Officer Appointed
After a significant delay, the Society was
recently pleased to learn that John Lambe
has been appointed as THI Officer. He
brings a wealth of heritage experience,
and has met with Peter Cookson and
Allan Blaza, showing significant interest
in Pontefract’s Conservation Areas. John
has also expressed an interest in working
with the Society on Heritage Open Days,
and has prepared the following statement
for this Newsletter:As the newly appointed Townscape Heritage
Initiative Officer for Pontefract, I am delighted
to come in to post and be part of contributing
to the development of the Town’s wonderful
Heritage.
Prior to my appointment my knowledge of
Pontefract was limited – Little did I know of
its Heritage and the wonderful buildings of a
pleasant market town, which I discovered upon
my first visit.
With my now getting to know the Town better
and the priority buildings of THI, I am looking
forward to working with owners and tenants
in achieving their restoration.
In addition to the individual buildings,
through the THI I hope to highlight and
promote Pontefract’s Heritage, particularly
with younger people and with the support of
local partners and groups, bring out the
potential of this Heritage.
I have already begun to work with individual
members of the Civic Society and feel
welcomed and encouraged in working
together, to achieve the common goal of
protecting and enhancing Pontefract’s
environment.
Pontefract’s High Street
Having just seen the article in the Ridings
Magazine, I must say this is an excellent
presentation with a good script and
commentary, without any political slants.
The photographs supplied by Wakefield
Council are some of the best, I assume
supplied by the Leisure/Cultural Dept.
The Civic Society and Friends of the
Castle are well –represented in the article,
as well as reference to the Mary Portas
funding application. We may not have
been successfully in the first or second
bids for whatever reasons, but a lot of
effort was put into both presentations,
admitted in a rush, and I suppose in a
rather confused manner.
Submissions from other towns perhaps
broke the rules by giving long videos (not
2 minutes), though members may wish to
search YouTube videos on the internet, to
see what could happen elsewhere.
Allan R Blaza
Land Use & Transport Committee
The committee continues to maintain
contact and write letters on a variety of
subjects from Monkhill Station and local
rail services, to Town End junction, and
whether Wakefield MDC are supporting
the Five Towns Area as significant
regeneration funding becomes available
through the Leeds City Region. These
letters have been written to the relevant
contacts at Wakefield MDC, West
Yorkshire Metro, as well Yvette Cooper
MP.
Peter Cookson
Valley Gardens Officers sow the seeds
for development
Email friends.friarwoodvalleygardens@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/FriendsOf
FriarwoodValleyGardensPontefract
Officers meetings have continued since
the public meetings organised by the Civic
Society, as the catalyst for the Friends
Group coming into being. Chairman,
Colin White said “I want to emphasise that
our priority is to publicise the group to
encourage membership and involvement.
Also, we have ambitious plans to improve the
Valley Gardens, but community support is
vital to attract funding to enable those
improvements, and we are looking to
recruiting an enthusiastic volunteer force.”
The Constitution, membership form, logo
and Facebook page have all been
prepared. Recent meetings have also
included a walk through the gardens with
representatives from WMDC, plus visits
to Queens Park and Thornes Park.
Colin has attended funding events, and a
promotional display stand has been
booked in Pontefract Library for early
October, this will be followed by a
meeting of all members and volunteers.
If you want to get involved, please call
01977 708658, use the enquiry form on the
Society’s website, or email
pontecivicsociety.secretary@gmail.com
the Society Secretary can then pass your
detail onto Colin White.
Christine Cartwright
Friends of Pontefract Park
You can’t fail to have missed the Jack
Kershaw’s recent article in the Pontefract
& Castleford Express, which covered
numerous options and possibilities, but
it’s early days, yet.
Discussions at the July meeting covered
the possible location for a café building
which would be separate from the existing
football changing rooms.
WANTED
•
•
•
Members to join this committees’
New Society members
Civic Day 2013 public event ideas
LISTED BUILDING CONSULTATION
Allan Blaza and Peter Taylor recently
responded on behalf of the Society to the Dept
of Culture, Media & Sport.
Our website
Health walks and various exercise
opportunities were talked about, and a
speaker was introduced on the irrigation
of the reservoir for fishing. At this point,
the role of volunteer wardens was
debated, based on experience in other
parks.
www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
It was also noted that under the new lease
agreement between WMDC and the
Racecourse Company, that there is a
requirement for a Steering Group.
Furthermore, the location and style of car
parking was a matter of much discussion.
What would you like to hear about?
By the time you read this article, a further
meeting will have taken place in late
August. Similar items as above were being
discussed, plus a Masterplan. We’ll bring
you further news from the Friends Group
in subsequent issues of the Society’s
Newsletter.
When did you last visit the site?
Does it do what it should?
Have you told your friends about it?
2013 Talks & Tours
Where would you like to visit?
We’d like to hear from you?
Let the Secretary know.
YHACS Meeting ~ Sat 22 Sept Halifax
If anyone wishes to attend, please let the
Society Secretary know.
Pontefract Civic Society ~
2013 and beyond
Help formulate the Society’s strategy,
campaigns and public meetings.
If you have something to say, why not
contact any member of the Executive, or
come to the Open Forum session in
September?
Convention & AGM ~ Coventry
Fri 19 & Sat 20 October
If anyone wishes to attend, please let the
Society Secretary know.