NEWSLETTER Newsletter feedback

Issue: DECEMBER, 2010 President: Allan R. Blaza Secretary Email: [email protected] Website: www.pontefractcivicsociety.btik.com

‘Regeneration of Pontefract & District: Tourism Potential’ Prof. Michael Collins led the offensive at a depleted pubic meeting in the Town Hall on 7 Dec, commenting on a lack of WMDC planning policy enforcement in Conservation Areas, which fails to make Pontefract an attractive place. Janet McNaught described how relationships had improved between Friends of Pontefract Castle and WMDC, and with joint financial support of WMDC and English Heritage, footpaths are now being improved and tactile information boards are being installed at the Castle and surrounding areas of the Saxon ‘Old Town’. Eric Houlder (Pontefract Archaeological Society) then described previous excavations and the potential of St. John’s Priory comparing it to Hadrian’s Wall, Coppergate (York) and Sutton Hoo. Finally, Cllr. Glen Burton and Ben Cook (WMDC Tourism) described both a short term and long term plan for Tourism in Pontefract. Following some lively debate, only time will tell, as the three groups continue the challenging work with WMDC.

 Merry Christmas to all Members and readers from your President Allan Blaza, and Executive Peter Cookson, Paul Cartwright, Mae Collins, Mike Collins, Adrian Pope and Kebir Berry. Secretary: Paul Cartwright at 39 Mill Hill Avenue, Pontefract, WF8 4JH, 01977 708658 [email protected]

BLUE PLAQUES Pontefract has around 30 blue plaques, though plans are being researched to create many more. What we need though is FUNDS to deliver this project. If you know of public, private or charitable opportunities to support the purchase and erection of a series of new blue plaques across Pontefract and district, then please contact the Secretary, Paul Cartwright, or Mike Collins, Chair of Conservation, Environment & Planning. Your support, directly or indirectly, would be appreciated.

Our work on Monkhill Station has now attracted the attention of METRO, with a positive response to a joint meeting with the Society and WMDC, though the latter are playing hard to get!

Registered charity number 513509

Engaging with your Councillors We last met Pontefract’s Councillors immediately after the Monkhill meeting, and we can report a further productive meeting on 10 Nov, after the Photographic Audit public meeting. In fact, it was a full house with all six Councillors present! We were updated on the new Pontefract Steering Group, where Councillors will represent Society views, and a meeting took place on 11 Nov. A group of businessmen are also interesting in engaging with the Steering Group, we await more news on this. Cllr. Denise Jeffery showed particular interest in examples from our photographic audit, with a view to enforcement taking place. In spite of a Management Plan for Pontefract Park being produced in August for WMDC, it has not become public yet, though we were told it would be available by November. Our Councillors were not aware of this, and we asked for an update. The next scheduled meeting with Councillors is Weds 19th January, 2011. News, Progress & Successes from Committees and other stakeholders  WMDC has now accepted the DTZ Masterplan.  Town End Junction – five options were recently presented on two Open Days in Pontefract Town Hall.  The CEP committee is being consulted by WMDC to inform the English Heritage Buildings at Risk report.  Overhaul Façade of the Year  ‘Big Fella’s’ appeal failed and has replaced the shop frontage.

 ‘Barbers’ in Beastfair signage appeal failed and has to replace this aligned to the shop front.  ‘New Look’ – the Society will be objecting to proposed much increased signage.

Now you see it, now you don’t!

We have now written to Jack Kershaw (Pontefract Town Centre Partnership) and Karen Baker (WMDC Development Manager Markets) asking for the stalls in front of St. Giles Church to be relocated. Is Pontefract Museum Trust a reality? Pontefract Groups Together is now progressing the initiative by studying similar trusts in Scarborough and Sheffield.

Pontefract Civic Society’s reported Photographic Audit was to deliver an estimated 3,500 photographs courtesy of Mick Turner (Building Surveyor), and for those who missed the public meeting, we can now report that 477 buildings have been photographed, which will now mean over 4,700 digital photographs have been taken.

Long term planning – what should the Society do for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (June 2012)?

Situations Vacant     

Parks & Open Spaces Chair Heritage Open Days Co-ordinator Newsletter Editor Membership Secretary Webmaster

Volunteers needed: If you have the capacity and energy to support our work, then please contact a Committee Chair, or the Society Secretary. There is a huge task ahead of us, and it’s only through the support of more individual and corporate members that Pontefract will benefit.

We’re updating our records, and we need your help: Could existing members please contact the Secretary so that we can record your email address, home telephone number, and mobile telephone number. This information is voluntary, for internal Society use only and will not be circulated, or shared without your consent.

What’s next for Pontefract Civic Society         

Councillors meeting, 19th Jan YHACS AGM, Harrogate, 29th Jan Wakefield District Societies meeting, 6th Feb Monkhill Station meeting METRO & WMDC (tbc) Proactive recruitment of members Photographic Audit analysis A Blue Plaque Guide A new website Preparation for the Design Awards and Façade of the Year

Pontefract Civic Society is now a Member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, and Voluntary Action Wakefield District Don’t forget, new members are always welcome – do you know some who’s not a member? Join now for 2011, and save money.

2011 Publicity & Events Committee Tentative Calendar of Event December/January: Our 2011 Calendar of Events gets off to a great start, with a Tour of Pontefract Magistrates Court. February: Richard Van Riel. April: Annual General Meeting – Tues 5th or Weds 6th April, Carleton Grange. May: We are in early discussions with Selby Civic Society for a Spring Tour of Selby. June/July: 25th June – 3rd July – Civic Voice Civic Day (tbc). Button Park/Friarwood Conservation. September: English Heritage ~ Heritage Open Days. October: Later in 2011, local historian and author, Eric Houlder, will do a talk on a new book.

December: Members Christmas Dinner – Weds 6th Dec (tbc). Do you want more visits or more local lectures? Tell Kebir.