Ossett Civic Trust took the decision to celebrate Heritage Open Days in Ossett by getting Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (WMDC) to open the doors of our wonderful Town Hall. This was to enable everyone to tour our hall and to view the wonderful craftsmanship that is there in abundance. It was especially fitting seeing as it is our Town Hall’s 100th birthday celebrations this year.

I am delighted to be able to say we had a great morning. Thanks to various members of our group, Peter Savage and Ruth Nettleton being on hand to answer any questions raised that a lot of people had their eyes opened. Not only is our Town Hall very beautiful on the outside but is also as beautiful on the inside.

Also on hand was the Organ Society who take care of and maintain our wonderful Compton Organ. The organ was not only on display but was played throughout the morning which showed off one of the features our hall is famous for, its acoustics. It was a treat not to be missed. Again members of their society were on hand to explain the workings of this wonderful organ and many questions were answered.

In the dictionary “Heritage” is described as “anything that is or may be inherited”, “inherited circumstances, benefits etc”, “nation’s historic buildings, monuments, countryside etc”. I think you have to agree that our town fathers in the past have left us a wonderful legacy which we as the citizens of today must treasure. Everyone who visited last Saturday certainly saw this heritage at first hand I am sure went away with a feeling of pride that we have such a jewel in our town centre and well worth a visit.

This is one of the roles that Ossett Civic Trust seeks to do but to do this well we need help from yourself. Can you give a couple of hours once a month? (the last Thursday in the month but not August or December) to come along to our meeting at the Ossett Community Centre. There you will receive a very warm welcome and your help to promote and protect our local heritage in any way we can will be very much appreciated. If you cannot attend regularly maybe you would consider becoming a member and attending, as and when, time allows? You will be put on our mailing list to receive our newsletter that is sent out four times a year. Membership also entitles you to discount on various events and trips that the Trust organises each year. Then please go to our membership page (click here) and help to make a difference in our town.

If you enjoy the facilities we have in Ossett then what legacy are you planning on leaving to your town? We look forward to seeing you and sharing your thoughts and ideas.

Ruth Amos, Chair of Ossett Civic Trust attended an evening of song at Ossett Town Hall called “A Century of Musical Gold” which was put on by The Elizabethans’ Chorus, e.chaos and West Yorkshire Brass on Saturday 11th October 2008. Here is her review and thoughts on the evening...

"What a wonderful evening this was and one that has given me much food for thought with a reminder of the history attached to our town hall. Whilst sat listening to the marvellous rousing material that the various groups put on and sung with such passion, my eyes went to the interior of our wonderful town hall. Have you been in and seen the workmanship that has gone in to make it the best Town Hall in Wakefield district, both in size and grandeur? Our Town Hall is a splendid work of art in its own right.

What I am concerned about is that we urgently need to bring our facilities up-to-date for holding concerts, seating, changing rooms. Without it means that we are limited as to what performances we can hold. Recently WMDC installed a new cold kitchen in the Town Hall and what a difference this has made, rightly confirming that it is a step in the right direction. Have you been into the magistrates room and seen the new curtains and the fresh new paintwork? What a difference this has made to the room.

The young children from e.chaos were outstanding when they sang but how much better still they would have sounded if our hall had the correct sound system such as the one installed at Pontefract Town Hall. To enable this to happen takes money, time and effort. The one thing Ossett does not lack is effort or time but we need to urgently look at how we can fund getting the necessary equipment in place to bring it up to the outstanding venue it would be if fitted out correctly. Our Town Hall is our heritage and we cannot afford to see this disappear due to lack of support and apathy.

As you drive past it on a daily basis, either going or coming home from work, what goes through your mind? How beautiful it looks? How impressive it seems? or “I’m home!”. How much are you aware of what goes on in our town hall? Are you interested?

Over the coming months Ossett Civic Trust, along with Ossett Town Partnership will endeavour to try to look for funding to make these alterations happen. On the night of the 11th, e.chaos sang a song called “We Are In This Together”. How appropriate this song is. Without the help of everyone in Ossett it will be a slow process, so I hope you will endeavour to support the events that will be taking place over the coming months, we owe it to our young children as they are our future.

Everyone of us has a responsibility to ensure that our Town Hall remains and stays the outstanding building that unites as all. From events, shows, meetings etc it has and does play a part in all our lives. We are so lucky to have two outstanding groups in The Elizabethans and e.chaos in our town that the least we can do is to ensure that they go on from strength to strength. They deserve first class changing rooms and sound and lighting system and we need good comfortable seats but more importantly they deserve our support and I hope that we can rely on you whenever called upon to back any projects, events etc going forward.

Our forefather’s had the vision for Ossett.... will you help carry this tradition on?"