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X-WR-CALNAME:Pontefract Civic Society
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Pontefract Civic Society
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260916
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260917
DTSTAMP:20260807T124026Z
CREATED:20260807T124026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T124026Z
UID:2250-1789516800-1789603199@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Hidden Lives of Elizabeth & Joe Love: A special exhibition
DESCRIPTION:This new exhibition will be available for the first time on Wednesday 16th September in as part of a tour with commentary. This will focus on our benefactors and what they were like. \nOur benefactors were remarkable. Both were hard-working ordinary people. She was a nurse and he a miner however what made them different was their interest and knowledge about history and heritage and their passion for collecting a wide range of historical items. They didn’t go on holidays\, they didn’t own a car but they collected historical objects. Their home\, the former gatehouse to Pontefract Castle\, has a unique story of its own and they filled it with fascinating and significant objects including local Castleford Pottery\, wonderful Jacobean furniture and a magnificent extensive collection of clocks some made by a famous Pontefract clock maker. \nWhat was even more unusual was that they left this unique building and collection in trust to create a museum for the the people of Pontefract and surrounding areas. Since opening in August 2025 many visitors have had the pleasure of seeing and learning about the contents but little has been shared about them. Trustees and volunteers are continuing to extend their knowledge about this family who were such generous benefactors to the people of Pontefract. We feel sure others will be interested to hear more. \nThe planned exhibition is the first step we hope to sharing what we have learnt about Joe and Elizabeth themselves and their working lives. We intend to include oral accounts from people who knew them many now elderly but still with strong memories of Joe and Elizabeth \nTimings\n\nWednesday 16 September: 1000\, 1200\, 1400 & 1600\n\nBooking information\n\nPre-booking requirement: Pre-booking preferred\nBooking conditions: We prefer pre booked tours but will try to accommodate others who call in person.\nBooking telephone number: +441977257012\n\nAccessibility details\nUnfortunately our site is currently very difficult for anyone with mobility issues. There are several steep step areas and no lift between the 3 floors. We hope in the future to improve this. There is street parking close and several car parks within a short walking distance.
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/the-hidden-lives-of-elizabeth-joe-love-a-special-exhibition/
LOCATION:The Elizabeth Love Museum\, 6 Castle Chain\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 1QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free Event,Heritage Open Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/eliz-love.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Elizabeth Love Museum":MAILTO:Contact@Elizabethlovemuseum.co.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260916T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260916T153000
DTSTAMP:20260807T122853Z
CREATED:20260807T122853Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T122853Z
UID:2244-1789567200-1789572600@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Talk: A History of the Medieval Hermitage of Pontefract
DESCRIPTION:A talk on the history of the Hermitage and Oratory in Pontefract. \nA talk on the history of the Hermitage and Oratory\, a fascinating Grade 1 listed site\, it will also include an introduction on how David Wilcox’s is involved and an update on its current state. \nThis free event is part of Heritage Open Day
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/talk-a-history-of-the-medieval-hermitage-of-pontefract/
LOCATION:Pontefract Library\, Shoemarket\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 1BD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free Event,Heritage Open Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hermitage.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T113000
DTSTAMP:20260825T072224Z
CREATED:20260807T150413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T072224Z
UID:2282-1789641000-1789644600@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Walk: Pontefract's Liquorice Heritage
DESCRIPTION:Join Paul Cartwright to explore the important and wonderful world of liquorice and its history in Pontefract delivered as a guided tour. \nMeet at the bandstand in the inner bailey of Pontefract Castle 5 minutes before the start time. \nThe sites of some liquorice producers remain\, though for the rest you’ll need to use your imagination for how extensive and important liquorice was in Pontefract. A map of former liquorice business locations will be provided\, and the walk will end at Pontefract Museum in the town centre. \nThis free event is part of the Heritage Open Day
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/walk-pontefracts-liquorice-heritage/
LOCATION:Pontefract Castle\, The Lodge Castle Chain\, Castle Garth\,\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 1QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free Event,Heritage Open Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ponte-cakes.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Pontefract Civic Society":MAILTO:events@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T153000
DTSTAMP:20260807T124653Z
CREATED:20260807T124653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T124653Z
UID:2253-1789653600-1789659000@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Talk: Pontefract Castle - this is your life!
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a whistle-stop tour through Pontefract Castle’s fascinating history!\nDiscover some of the most interesting and intriguing stories from the castle’s past. \nThis free talk is part of Heritage Open Days. The talk is for adults aged 18+. \nThis event will take place in the Activity Zone at Pontefract Castle. \nBooking information\n\nPre-booking requirement: Pre-booking required\nBooking conditions: Book online at https://www.ticketsource.com/wakefield-museums-castles/t-qmaqpvk\nBooking telephone number: +441924302700\nBooking email: museumslearning@wakefield.gov.uk\nBooking website: https://www.ticketsource.com/wakefield-museums-castles/t-qmaqpvk\nAlternative booking website: https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/whats-on/pc-life-talk/\n\nAccessibility details\nThe talk takes place in the Pontefract Castle Visitor Centre. The visitor centre is wheelchair accessible with level access from the main gates. There are two parking bays outside the castle gates (WF8 1QH) for blue badge holders. If these are full\, please drop off passengers at the castle gates and park in the car park at WF8 2JF\, a five minute walk away. For more access information please visit https://museumsandcastles.wakefield.gov.uk/visit/pontefract-castle/access-information-at-pontefract-castle/
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/talk-pontefract-castle-this-is-your-life/
LOCATION:Pontefract Castle\, The Lodge Castle Chain\, Castle Garth\,\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 1QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free Event,Heritage Open Day,Pontefract Castle Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/pontefract-castle-easter-91.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260919
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260920
DTSTAMP:20260810T104737Z
CREATED:20260810T104606Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T104737Z
UID:2349-1789776000-1789862399@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Storytelling performance: Pontefract tales
DESCRIPTION:Join Beccy from Story Trails for an interactive storytelling session. Discover stories about everyday people from Pontefract’s past\, doing extraordinary things! \nPonte People Never Give Up \nA castle is built on your doorstep\, and people won’t stop fighting over it. You have to feed your family\, but armies take whatever they want.  Your town is a battleground\, and all you want is peace.  When young lads return from fighting far off wars\, there isn’t enough work\, so they turn to crime.  What do you do when everything around you keeps falling apart?  You tell a different story… \n*SEND and relaxed sessions: SEND groups are welcome at all our sessions. We also run these SEND sessions for people who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. SEND sessions must be booked at wmandc.co/tickets \nDate                   Saturday 19th September 2026 \nTime(s)             10:30am – 11:30am* (SEND Families – with reduced numbers and relaxed performance)\, 1pm – 2pm and 2:30pm – 3:30pm \nAge                     6+ Families \nBooking            Free\, booking required** \n** Tickets for bookable events are a wmandc.co/tickets \nThis free event is part of Heritage Open Days \n 
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/storytelling-performance-pontefract-tales/
LOCATION:Pontefract Castle\, The Lodge Castle Chain\, Castle Garth\,\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 1QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Family event,Free Event,Heritage Open Day
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260919T133000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260919T143000
DTSTAMP:20260807T125212Z
CREATED:20260807T125212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T125212Z
UID:2256-1789824600-1789828200@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Talk- Pontefract's Liquorice Story
DESCRIPTION:Learn About Pontefract’s Liquorice Past \nThis free talk was first delivered for Liquorice Shoots and the Liquorice Festival\, and is being reprised for Heritage Open Days in Pontefract Library.
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/talk-pontefracts-liquorice-story/
LOCATION:Pontefract Library\, Shoemarket\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 1BD\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free Event,Heritage Open Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/liquorice-digging-in-valley-gardens.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260920T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260920T153000
DTSTAMP:20260807T131019Z
CREATED:20260807T131019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T131019Z
UID:2267-1789900200-1789918200@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Friarwood Valley Gardens Pinhole Camera
DESCRIPTION:The giant pin-hole camera will be operational in the former summer house/aviary\, giving the chance to see live images of the gardens\, projected through the pin-hole. A brief outline will be given of liquorice growing in the Valley Gardens. \nVisit the Valley Gardens with planted Rose Gardens\, children’s playground and unique tree carvings. The Friarwood Valley Gardens is a public park and is a Grade II listed Historic Park: on the site of a medieval Dominican Friary and liquorice cultivation\, it became a public park in 1950. \nThe former aviary building in Valley Gardens has been around since at least 1840 and was built in the Georgian period. Former uses of the aviary include it reputedly being used as a male card school retreat and as a packing shed for the on site market gardens. \nA brief history will be given of liquorice growing and the summerhouse in the Valley Gardens by Dr Colin White; then Bob Clayden\, Pinhole Wizard\, will give a hands-on demonstration of the pinhole camera in this remarkable building. \nThis free event is part of the Heritage Open Day
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/friarwood-valley-gardens-pinhole-camera/
LOCATION:Friarwood Valley Gardens\, Mayor's Walk\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 2RR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free Event,Heritage Open Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/pinhole-camera.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260920T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260920T150000
DTSTAMP:20260822T104949Z
CREATED:20260822T095342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260822T104949Z
UID:2406-1789905600-1789916400@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Tour: Friarwood Valley Gardens Liquorice Cultivation
DESCRIPTION:A walking tour giving the history of liquorice growing in Friarwood Valley Gardens by Dr Colin White. \nPontefract has been synonymous with liquorice\, a flowering plant of the bean family\, for centuries. It was probably brought to the town by monks from Spain and cultivated in the Friarwood Valley by the Dominican Friars\, who used it for medicinal purposes. The Friarwood Valley Gardens is a Grade II listed Historic Park and this year celebrates its 75th anniversary as a public park.\nThe tour by Colin White will cover the history of the cultivation of the liquorice plant in the deep loamy soil of the valley\, especially the market gardeners of the 20th century. \nBring your cameras in order to photograph liquorice growing in the rose garden and have a go at reciting the Betjeman poem ‘Licorice Fields at Pontefract’. \n\nSunday 20 September:  12:00 and 14:00\n\nAccessibility details\nOn-site disabled parking is accessed via Friarwood Lane.
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/tour-friarwood-valley-gardens-liquorice-cultivation/
LOCATION:Friarwood Valley Gardens\, Mayor's Walk\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 2RR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free Event,Heritage Open Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/valley-gardens-liquorice-growers.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Pontefract Civic Society":MAILTO:events@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261020T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261020T210000
DTSTAMP:20260731T070526Z
CREATED:20260508T170342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260731T070526Z
UID:1464-1792522800-1792530000@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Pontefract Civic Society Monthly Talk - The Mobile Police Museum
DESCRIPTION:The Mobile Police Museum \nOur host for the evening\, David Hardcastle\, will be giving an interactive presentation on the history of the police serviceDavid Hardcastle\, is a retired West Yorkshire Police constable of 20 years and is a volunteer at a local police museum. He will be giving an interactive presentation on the history of the police service over the last 120+ years. \n\nThe presentation will feature historical artefacts that will be available to handle during the talk for proper immersion in the history of policing\, artefacts ranging from 1880\, covering the Victorian period\, both World Wars and into the 21st Century. A big assortment of various police uniforms\, helmets\, hats and even a working radio from the 1980s for the audience to try! \n\nFree for our members or tickets are available for non members at £3.96 from Eventbrite
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/pontefract-civic-society-monthly-talk-the-mobile-police-museum/
LOCATION:Pontefract Masonic Hall\, 1\, Ackworth Road\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 3PA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Live Performance,Local event,Pontefract Civic Society Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/mobile-police.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Pontefract Civic Society":MAILTO:events@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T210000
DTSTAMP:20260804T144230Z
CREATED:20260508T170617Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T144230Z
UID:1467-1794942000-1794949200@www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
SUMMARY:Pontefract Civic Society Monthly Talk - Setting up the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
DESCRIPTION:Setting up the Commonwealth War Graves Commission – David Jones \nThe Unending Vigil\, Known unto God \nThe story of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission \nThe First World War or the Great War was the first industrialised war which very quickly created a new challenge for the British and Allied governments and because of demands by families of all classes to respect the lives and sacrifice of soldiers killed on the battlefields across the globe. Out of this emotional situation grew the Imperial War graves Commission. This presentation will tell the story behind the emergence of the Imperial War graves Commission and later the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the challenge it faced in paying due respect to those who gave their lives for their country. \nFree for our members or tickets are available for non members for £3 on the door at £3.96 from Eventbrite (booking fee included)
URL:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/event/pontefract-civic-society-monthly-talk-setting-up-the-commonwealth-war-graves-commission/
LOCATION:Pontefract Masonic Hall\, 1\, Ackworth Road\, Pontefract\, West Yorkshire\, WF8 3PA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Local event,Pontefract Civic Society Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CWGC-Logo-B@2x-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Pontefract Civic Society":MAILTO:events@pontefractcivicsociety.org.uk
END:VEVENT
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