Woolshops: The Story (History Documentary, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK)

This film tells the story of Woolshops from its mediaeval beginnings to the situation in the 1970s, when it was at risk of destruction. Hear the voices of people who remember Woolshops before it was redeveloped and consider the impact a covered shopping mall would have had, removing all traces of history from the area. Halifax Civic Trust opposed the scheme and challenged the Council, taking great financial risks to do so. The case was heard in January 1979. We have in the film two people who were active at the time, a Planning Officer, and the Hon Sec of the Halifax Civic Trust, their chief witness. How fortunate we are that we can capture the memories of the people who were involved in this dramatic struggle. Our film was put together entirely in-house by members of the Halifax Civic Trust. Those who love the town that they live in today will be fascinated to know how much of it might have been lost under a monolithic concrete shopping mall.

Halifax Civic Trust is a charity that celebrates, enhances and safeguards Halifax's built and natural environment. To donate to our cause or join us, please visit https://sites.google.com/view/civictr..., follow us on X @TrustCivic or on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/241127785949760.

Filmmakers: Gwyneth Crawley and Rebecca Kirk
Volunteers and Contributors:
Stuart Crowther, David Witcher, George Pickles, Ken Campbell, Wendy Garside, Judith Priestley, Malcolm Barron, Richard Crosland, John Padgett, Margaret Barnes, Damian Coll, Mark Fennelly, Casper Kirk, Gary Beaumont (http://www.halifaxpeople.com/), Stephen Gee, Alan Burnett (https://alanburnett.com/), Andrew Sunderland, Calderdale Libraries, O&C Management Services, Alan Greenwood, Jason Ward (Facebook: Calderdale Then and Now), Sarah Mason Photography & Films (https://www.sarahmasonphotography.co.uk), Malcolm Barron, Stuart Crowther, June Paxton-White, Kim Evans, The Piece Hall, Manchester Arndale, Tim Green, Kathryn Kirk, James Spackman, Calderdale Industrial Museum, http://halifaxuk.blogspot.com/, Sidney Moody, Greg Kirk, Yorkshire Film Archive, Confidentials.com, an-englishmanshome.co.uk, Kathryn Kirk, Jason Gregg (Woolshops Manager), Alice Bailey, Shannon Cross and Georgie Grogan (The Piece Hall), Creative Crystals (the Piece Hall), David Riley (O&C Management), Seoul Kitchen (Westgate), The Wine Glass (Borough Market, ([email protected]), Jill Burrows, Natalie Midgely (Information Services Librarian, Calderdale MBC), Halifax Town Hall, Sarah Richardson, Alan Goodrum, June Paxton-White... and all at the Halifax Civic Trust

Permission for the use of historic photographs has been sought wherever ownership is known. If you are aware of the copyright holder for any media labelled ‘unknown’, or are a copyright owner we were unable to get in touch with, please get in contact via HCT’s website (links above and on the homepage).

'Woolshops: The Story' is produced by Halifax Civic Trust. Copyright: Halifax Civic Trust. All rights reserved. The film may be viewed in its entirety but must not be edited. Thank you for your co-operation.

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