It’s Local History Month and Huddersfield Local History Society is holding a second-hand book sale, with the largest part coming from the private collection of the well-respected late historian Brian Haigh.
The society are bringing their pop-up book shop along to two open days being held by the West Yorkshire Archive Service on Thursday and Friday, May 12 and 13.
The open days mark the launch of the West Yorkshire Archive’s new exhibition, Your Home’s History. The display of original archives from the Kirklees district is designed to guide visitors through the process of researching the history of a house and archivists will be there to answer your questions.
Huddersfield and District Family History Society will also be present to offer family history research and advice using Ancestry and FindMyPast.
David Griffiths, Huddersfield Local History Society’s publications secretary, said: “The society has been pleased to receive three large donations of second-hand local history books and booklets – albeit tinged with sadness too, as the largest part is from the collection of the late Brian Haigh, former head of museums and prolific local historian.”
Many of the books on sale are now out-of-print and Mr Griffiths added: “The hundreds of titles on offer include first editions of classics of local history, some going back to the late 19th century, alongside recent academic studies and a wide range of booklets and pamphlets aimed at general readers.
“All parts of Kirklees are well-represented, and prices are generally below any available on the internet.”
In addition to the titles you might expect in a sale of Huddersfield history books, there are some curiosities, including one booklet, ‘Kirklees and the Bomb’, from the 1980s.
Proceeds from the sale of the second-hand books will be divided between the society and a hospital charity.
And in the afternoons visitors to the West Yorkshire Archive Service Open Days will be able to find out more about Huddersfield Local History Society’s Memories of Our Square project, funded by Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) initiative, and contribute their own stories and memories of St George’s Square.
The West Yorkshire Archive Open Days will take place on Thursday May 12 and Friday May 13 from 10am-12noon and 1pm-4pm at Unit One in the Piazza (opposite Huddersfield Library).
