The Friends of Todmorden Town Hall are organising a series of celebratory events to mark 150 years since the opening of the flagship building.
Todmorden Town Hall opened on 3 April 1875 amidst a day of extraordinary festivities.
Triumphal arches were set up across the streets, with flags, banners and streamers. A procession numbering 4000 people marched for four hours in foul weather accompanied by nine brass bands and people from as far afield as Bolton and Bradford, brought in by special trains. A statue of John Fielden was unveiled and a nine-course banquet laid on for 400 special guests.
150 years later, much has changed, but Todmorden’s Grade I listed Town Hall remains at the heart of the community and is owned and managed by Calderdale Council.
Chair of Friends of Todmorden Town Hall, Linda Carroll-Bentley, said:
“As in 1875, we want to involve the whole town in what we hope is going to be a memorable celebration. From classical music to disco; heritage exhibition and tours; theatrical performances and feasts, we have something for everyone. Funding from Calderdale Council, Todmorden Town Council, the Heritage Lottery and our local wind farm community benefit funds has also enabled us to put on these events for free or a donation.
“We are encouraging people to try something new or volunteer with us for the 150th and in the process, support our cultural organisations – please get in touch if you can donate some time. We want to make sure that our fabulous Town Hall remains at the heart of our community for another 150 years.”
Cllr Danielle Durrans, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said:
“Calderdale is known for its beautiful and distinctive heritage buildings, and we are very lucky to have Todmorden Town Hall as a focal point for the community.
“The Council has a priority for thriving towns and places. Caring for and preserving our heritage is an important part of this. We have been proud to invest in this magnificent building over the years to enhance its use, and we thank all the local people and volunteers who have supported this through the years. Further transformation is on its way thanks to the Todmorden Town Deal investment.
“The Friends of Todmorden Town Hall have created a fantastic programme of events to celebrate the building’s big birthday, which coincides with the last two months of Calderdale’s Year of Culture.”
Celebrations will run from 22 March to 6 April, starting with a heritage concert by Todmorden Orchestra, whose association with the Town Hall goes back to 1875. The building will be open to the public for several hours every day with a specially curated exhibition.
A particular highlight, on the evenings of 29 and 30 March, will be a projection-mapped film using the frontage of the building to tell the story of the town and its people past and present.
A heritage themed Iftar (to break the Ramadan fast) and a Community Banquet celebrating the contributions of volunteers to the town will reflect the feast in 1875.
A promenade play, ‘Tod Life’ will feature snippets of life in the Town Hall played in the actual rooms they originally took place. Another tradition of children’s discos is being revived and open to everyone with a theme of ‘Disco for the Young of All Ages’.
Todmorden Hippodrome has re-established its popular script-writing competition, ‘Town Hall Voices’ – the winners of which will be performed in a special auditorium within the Town Hall ballroom.
Events will culminate on Saturday 5 April with a festival of music-making featuring Todmorden Community Brass Band, Todmorden Cantata, Music for the Many; 3 Valleys Gospel Choir and the Todmorden Choral Society, who have also been performing in the Town Hall since it opened.
The anniversary celebrations will end with an opportunity to take a heritage tour with the Friends of Todmorden Town Hall.