In this episode we chat with Sarah Browning, a member of the Friends of Christ Church Todmorden community group, about the history of Christ Church and their valiant work in uncovering and preserving forgotten graves. Brambles, knot-weed, grave robbers and a trick cyclist are up for discussion...

Thornton village, the birthplace of the Brontës, is often overlooked with regard to its cultural and historical significance. In this episode, we chat to local historian, Steve Stanworth, about how the family came to be living in Thornton, and the Brontë Birthplace Campaign's mission to preserve and celebrate this important part of history. https:/…

It's 2024 and Sarah and Gill are back with another episode! Join them as they explore the curious history of The Running Man of Halifax, and the infamous Halifax Gibbet... (Note: we will be discussing execution by decapitation)

In 1858, Charles Dickens came to Halifax to read his popularnovella, ‘A Christmas Carol’. Join local historian, David Glover, and History Out Loud’s Gill, as they bring this incredible event to life. This isn’t Dickens' only connection to the town, however, and David has been researching another little-known connection……

Join regular guest, Sarah, and History Out Loud's Gill, for a true tale of bottle throwing, mud-slinging and bum notes at a 'friendly' brass band competition gone wrong.

Weird Calderdale author, Paul Weatherhead, returns to History Out Loud to unravel the story Tom Bell - outlaw and thief, and detail the various explorations and discoveries inside the labyrinthine 'Tom Bell' caves under Hebden Bridge...

Join local historian and writer, John Billingsley, and History Out Loud's Gill Carpenter for part two of this true tale of greed, duplicity, sorcery and buried riches in 16th century Yorkshire...

Join local historian and writer, John Billingsley, and History Out Loud's Gill Carpenter for a true tale of greed, duplicity, sorcery and buried riches in 16th century Yorkshire... PART 2 out next week ;)

To celebrate Anne Lister's birthday we have a very special episode recorded with author and historian, Jill Liddington. Jill is the author of 'Female Fortune: the Anne Lister Diaries, 1833 - 36', and has a brand new book out - 'As Good as a Marriage: the Anne Lister Diaries, 1836 - 38' which explores, interprets and opens up the life Anne Lister sh…

"I went to gaol a rebel, but I have come out a regular terror". Just one of many unforgettable quotes from suffragette and house-builder, Laura Annie Willson. In this episode we are joined by local historian, Anne Kirker, to discuss the life and times of this dynamic and inspiring woman.

In our first episode of 2023, Sarah and Gill discuss the life and work of Henry Blackburn, Todmorden's long-suffering Nuisance Inspector. But what exactly did his job entail? Sarah has been delving into the library archives and has all the answers... * If you'd like to find out about Halifax's first Sanitary Inspector, there will be a fascinating d…

Who was Buffalo Bill and how did he end up in Halifax? Saddle up and join Gill and Sarah for a galloping, bullwhacking, sharpshooting ride through the life and times of one of the most famous showmen of the 19th century...

In this episode, History Out Loud has a chat with cartographer and author, Christopher Goddard, about his life as a map maker and his 'expeditions' over the moorlands and through the woods of West Yorkshire.. If you would like to learn more about Chris' work, please visit: https://christophergoddard.net/…

Local historian and chairperson of the Friends of Lister Lane Cemetery, David Glover, joins Gill to discuss the development, life, decline and rejuvenation of this radical burial place.If you would like to know more about the Friends of Lister Lane Cemetery you can visit their website: www.listerlanecemetery.co.uk or email them at: friendsofllc@yah…

In this episode we are joined by local historian, writer and a founding member of the Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Revival, Garry Stringfellow. What is rushbearing? When did it begin? Why do remnants of the custom survive today? Garry has all the answers...

How did Todmorden man, Sam Fielden, end up at the centre of the famous 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago? Seasoned History Out Loud guest, Sarah Browning, is back for the second and concluding episode of this transatlantic story.

"...and then, if they love the truth, they must tell to each other what is truth or what they think is the truth; that is the sum of my offending." How did Todmorden man, Sam Fielden, end up at the centre of the famous 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago? This month's guest, Sarah Browning, has been investigating...…

Join us again for part two of the ever-morphing legend of Robin Hood. In this episode Paul Weatherhead and John Billingsley are back with Gill Carpenter to discuss documented hauntings and supernatural experiences at the grave on the Kirklees estate. For further reading check out these two books: - ‘Weird Calderdale – Strange and Horrible Local His…

Local folklorist, John Billingsley and 'Weird Historian' Paul Weatherhead make a welcome return to History Out Loud to discuss the legend of Robin Hood, his death at Kirklees Priory and the mysterious goings on thereafter... This will be a bumper two-parter - we had so much to say! *For further reading, check out these two books: - 'Hood Head and H…

We know lots about 19th Century lesbian diarist Anne Lister but what about her Halifax neighbour and long term lover Ann Walker? To mark 168 years since Ann Walker's death; Sarah caught up with Diane and Alexa from In Search of Ann Walker to find out what new information they have uncovered in the Archives and how they are starting to piece togethe…

We can all think back to winters in our past that have left an icy imprint on our memory; however, quite a few of us were not alive during the most recent, truly harsh winters to hit the United Kingdom and none of us have experienced the worst winters on record. Join Sarah Browning and Gill Carpenter for a decidedly chilly episode...…

Sarah and Gill are joined once again by 'Weird Calderdale' author, Paul Weatherhead, to discuss UFOs, alien abductions and strange goings on in the Calder Valley...

In this episode Sarah tells Gill all about 18th Century Halifax Naturalist, Mycologist and Artist James Bolton

The first of two episodes recorded with 'Weird Calderdale' author, Paul Weatherhead. 'In the winter of 1938, while Europe braced itself for war, the people of Halifax were in a state of nervous panic. Reports had begun to emerge of a razor blade wielding maniac leaping out from the town’s many dark alleys and yards, slashing his helpless victims an…

In this episode we are joined again by local folklore expert John Billingsley. We'll be asking what is it about Calderdale and in particular the Calderdale landscape that makes it so rich in folkore. We'll be talking boggarts, witches and the story of Churn Milk Joan..

In this episode Sarah and Gill will be discussing the rise and fall of the Halifax Zoo and Amusement Park - animals galore, great escapes, balloon ascents and all the fun of the fair...

This is part two of two of our episode looking at the murder of Clara Law at the Todmorden Co-Operative in 1891. We are joined by our colleague Sarah B from Todmorden Library This is a pretty grim tale and includes discussions around murder, suicide and sexual assault. We reference local newspaper reports from the time which include graphic descrip…

Today we are joined by Sarah B from Todmorden Library to tell us all about the case of Clara Law who was found dead in the Todmorden Co-Operative Building in 1891. this is Part one of a two part episode This is a pretty grim tale and includes discussions around murder, suicide and sexual assault. We reference local newspaper reports from the time w…

Ever feel like you're being watched? In this episode Sarah and Gill are joined by regular H.O.L guest, John Billingsley, for a fascinating journey into the cult of the stone head. Bring your Indiana Jones hat.

Writer and folklorist John Billingsley returns for another chat from the stacks with the History Out Loud team. In this episode we will be discussing Calderdale's corpse-ways - what are they, where are they and why were they necessary?

On the 31st of August, 1956, the poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes boarded a train in London bound for Yorkshire. They were travelling north for an extended visit, staying with Ted's parents, Edith and William, in Heptonstall..In this episode Sarah and Gill discuss Sylvia's first impressions of the Calder Valley through an exploration of the letter…

The second part of a two part podcast. Sarah and Gill chat to Angela Clare, Collections Officer at Calderdale Museums, which includes Shibden Hall, home of Halifax landowner, traveller, mountaineer and lesbian diarist Anne Lister. In this episode we'll be talking about The Moss House, the novel Angela has written about Anne Lister and Ann Walker an…

The first of a two part podcast; Sarah and Gill chat to Angela Clare, Collections Officer at Calderdale Museums, which includes Shibden Hall, home of Halifax landowner, traveller, mountaineer and lesbian diarist Anne Lister. This podcast was recorded as part of Anne Lister's 230th birthday celebrations, as well as Shibden Hall's 600th birthday! For…

Today Sarah and Gill are joined by local author and folklore expert John Billingsley. We'll be asking what does folklore actually mean, which stories do we remember and pass on and which stories do we forget; and what does that mean for folklore. John will also spin us some folk tale yarns from Calderdale including the story of Devil's Rock.…

In our first podcast Sarah and Gill will be talking about window breaking, bribery, corruption and power at the 1835 election in Halifax. You can view the poll book from the 1835 election and Benjamin Wilson's Struggles of an Old Chartist at our online visual archive Weaver to Web. https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw…

Welcome to History Out Loud, Chat from the Stacks, a brand new podcast from Calderdale Libraries. Join Gill Carpenter and Sarah Rose as we delve deep into our local studies collection. Our first episode is out on Friday 19th March 2021 and will be looking at the 1835 Halifax election.