Village life revealed in heritage weekend events

St John's Church in Upper Hopton is one of the venues on the heritage trail

As part of national Heritage Open Weekend, Upper Hopton Community Association (UHCA) has organised a series of talks and tours in the village.

UHCA secretary Chris Breare said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know our local village, its history and what is happening in our community at present.”

The Heritage Trail will run on Saturday September 14, 10am-4pm and Sunday September 15, 1pm-4pm

There are both guided and self-guided tours, with easy to follow guides that cost £1.

Guided tours start from Croft House, Jackroyd Lane, on Saturday September 14 at 11am and 1.30pm, and Sunday September 15 at 1.30pm.

There will be exhibitions at Croft House, The Club and St John’s Church, together with talks on the church given by Dr Jessica Malay at 10.30am and 1pm on Saturday, and at 3pm on Sunday.

And Nigel Richardson will speak on The Changing Times of Village Life in Hopton and Norman Brown on 160 years of the Railway in Mirfield at the Club at 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday and at 2.30pm on Sunday

The Friends of St Mary’s Community Heritage Site in Mirfield are also taking part.

They will be offering hourly tours of the church’s belfry, opening up 17th Century parish records and giving visitors the chance to look around the remains of the motte and bailey castle which once stood in Church Lane.

Visitors can also view a Mirfield murder grave, village stocks and the church designed by the renowned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, and take part in a geocaching trail.

An example of Anglo-Saxon daily life will also be given during the event on Saturday September 15.

The site is open September 13, 10am-4pm; September 14, 10am-4pm, and September 15, noon-5pm.

The Moravian Church at Lower Wyke will open its dorrs on Saturday from 10am-4pm, and on Sunday from 1pm-4pm.

On display will be photographs of church life over the years, registers and memorabilia.

And Thornhill Parish Church, Church Lane, Thornhill, will be host a flower festival to co-incide with the event.

With displays vt 20 local organisations and new interpretation panels and guides, it’s must-see.

It will be officially opened at 7pm on the Friday, and open from 10am-4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

For ore information visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk