Images from the history of West Yorkshire, such as Huddersfield Gay Pride March (above, 1983) will be taken to a broader cross-section of residents after archive authorities won a major funding boost. Picture courtesy West Yorkshire Archive Services
Three jobs and a host of chances for residents to chart the history of their local area have been created after an archive service covering major cities including Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford won a grant of more than £158,000.
A 1960s Bradford mill. Picture courtesy West Yorkshire Archive Services
West Yorkshire Archive Service, which holds the largest documentation collection outside of London, will use the Heritage Lottery Fund cash to provide library training, liaison links with community groups and outreach work with major sports clubs through a new Sporting Heroes scheme.
Councillor Neil Taggart, Chair of West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee, said the news was an "exciting opportunity" for the Service.
Ernest Wise, Irish Community Butchers, Leeds (1940s). Picture courtesy West Yorkshire Archive Services
"The HLF grant will allow us to widen access to its own collections while encouraging and empowering communities to preserve and care for their own history," he said.
"The Sporting Heroes project will allow us to reach beyond current audiences, as well as preserving a vital part of West Yorkshire's History."
Estikodu Club – Estonian Club Bradford (circa 1956). Picture courtesy West Yorkshire Archive Services
One of five new campaigns in the three-and-a-half-year scheme, Sporting Heroes will engage high-profile teams across the county for oral history interviews, establish widespread heritage programmes and explain skills such as copyright and collection care.
"The need for this new initiative is clear," added Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
Leeds Pride (2007). Picture courtesy West Yorkshire Archive Services
"WYAS receives many requests from community groups wishing to research, record and preserve their heritage, and this much-needed grant will enable them to learn the skills they need and run high quality archive projects.
"HLF is delighted to be able to support this project, which will engage people with their histories and the heritage on their doorstep."
Leeds Carnival (circa 1980). Picture courtesy West Yorkshire Archive Services
