Batley 150 events
Batley 150 is a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Batley Borough Council in 1868. It’s part of a rich democratic heritage in Kirklees that we can be proud of today. Take part in events throughout the anniversary year and find out more about Batley’s history.
Batley 150
Inspiring local community involvement
Tuesday 22nd October 2019
From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Batley Town Hall, Market Place, Batley WF17 5DE
Batley has celebrated 150 years since the foundation of Batley Borough Council, when Queen Victoria granted the Royal Charter that meant Batley could govern itself and provide services and buildings for the good of local residents.
We’re inviting citizens to come and discover more about Batley’s democratic heritage, see the Royal Charter, meet your local councillors and find out more about their role, hear from some of our inspiring young people about their involvement in local democracy, and learn about lots of opportunities for you to get involved in civic life and make a difference in Batley today.
Register to take part
Batley: 150 years on
Celebrating with Batley school children
Tuesday 22nd October 2019
From 9.30am to 12 noon
Batley Town Hall, Market Place, Batley WF17 5DE
Batley has celebrated 150 years since the foundation of Batley Borough Council, when Queen Victoria granted the Royal Charter that meant Batley could govern itself and provide services and buildings for the good of local residents.
We’re inviting Batley schools to bring children aged 9 to 11 to come and discover Batley’s heritage and find out more about today’s council. Participants will be able to meet local councillors, see the original Charter, and take part in activities to learn how young people can make a difference in Batley today.
To book please email: susan.ginty@kirklees.gov.uk
Previous events
The Batley Charter
Batley Town Hall, Market Place, Batley WF17 5DE
Monday 13th May 2019, from 10.30am to 12.30pm
The historic Batley Charter of Incorporation will be on display at Batley Town Hall on Monday 13th May 2019 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Come along and hear more about the significance of the Charter and view it close up now that it has been meticulously preserved by West Yorkshire Archive Service for future generations to enjoy.
The Charter of Incorporation was issued by Queen Victoria in 1868 giving the people of Batley the power to elect a council which set up and ran public services for the good of the borough and Batley people.
The powers created by the Charter led to the development of important services and buildings such as the water supply, Batley Town Hall, and Batley General Hospital to name just a few.
As part of the Batley 150 celebrations involving local community organisations, Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire Archive Service, this is a fabulous opportunity for everyone to view the beautifully preserved Charter, find out more about Batley’s heritage and view other items of interest and displays.
Speakers include the Mayor of Kirklees and Shirley Jones, Head of Conservation, West Yorkshire Archive Service.
Batley 150 Exhibition opening
Batley Town Hall, Market Place, Batley WF17 5DE
Saturday 29 September 2018, from 12.30pm to 4pm
A new touring exhibition, celebrating 150 years since the founding of Batley Borough Council in 1868, opens at Batley Festival 2018. Please come along to learn more about the area’s democratic heritage, and to get involved in the civic life of Batley today.
The Mayor of Kirklees will open the Batley 150 Exhibition at 1.30pm. The opening by the Mayor will be followed by speakers including:
- Robert Clegg – Archivist from West Yorkshire Archive Service
- Malcolm Haigh – Chair of Batley History Group
- Wendy Storey – memories as a Mayor’s daughter
- Mohamed Saloo – Batley Poets
As well as the exhibition, curated by West Yorkshire Archive Service, there will be a range of displays including: Batley Bulldogs Heritage, Memories of Batley in 1968, Dorothy Elizabeth Evans by Susan White, and Catherine Exley. Batley Poets will launch “The Bards of Batley”, a special book of poems written by local citizens to celebrate the 150th anniversary.
Light refreshments will be available. Everyone welcome.
Come and take a look back over 150 years, meet lots of people who are proud to be part of Batley, and find out how you can get more involved in civic life today.
Saturday 8th September 2018, from 10am to 3pm
Come and share your ideas as we launch Batley 150 at Batley Town Hall. Enjoy exhibitions, displays, heritage tours and refreshments. We will start to tell the story of Batley Borough Council and we really need your help. Does your family have connections with Batley Borough? Do you have a story to share? Please do.
This event is part of Heritage Open Days 2018. Activities in and around Batley Town Hall on the day include:
Batley heritage displays – Come and find out about Batley’s heritage through a series of all-day displays, see a BBC North documentary “Waste” filmed in Batley in 1968 (shows at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm), and share your memories of Batley in 1968.
The Batley Square Mile heritage walks – with Cliff Greenwood, Malcolm Haigh and friends. Depart from Batley Town Hall at: 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm.
Batley 150 logo launch – at 12.30pm.
EqualiTeas: pop in for a cuppa, cake and a chat. – 2018 marks 100 years since Parliament passed a law which allowed some women, and all men, to vote for the first time. Come and share, debate and celebrate over a cuppa.