English Heritage report highlights risk to history of our towns

The national organisation has once more listed Dewsbury conservation area on its Heritage At Risk Register.

It also remains concerned about the poor condition of Hopton Congregational Church and Castle Hall Hill motte and bailey in Mirfield.

A new addition to this year’s register, published today, is Grade I listed Thornhill Parish Church.

Its entry details the fine medieval tower, chancel and chapels, and glasswork dating back to the building of the Savile Chapel in 1477.

It says: “This rare medieval survival of glass is now in danger and needs to be displayed within a controlled environment if it is to survive.

“A grant has been offered for this purpose and also to carry out a programme of urgent conservation works to restore important funerary monuments.”

But it’s not all bad news for the area’s historic sites. Two listed in 2011 have been removed.

English Heritage said Thornhill Hall moat had benefited from a Heritage Lottery Funded project run by Kirklees Council and supported by the Friends of Rectory Park.

Christ Church in Staincliffe has also been removed after urgent repairs were completed.