Past Speakers 2026 – Greater Elland Historical Society

Members Meeting -13th May 2026

On Wednesday 13th May at Elland Working Mens Club, Mr. Stuart Hartley entertained us with a talk on the defining decade of the 1960’s. Running through the talk was the popular music of each year, an era which still remains strong to the present day.

Videos supported the music where possible, from Frankie Vaughan to Procol Harum.

Each year had its highlights, divided roughly between triumphs, tragedies, politics, death and sex.

However, summing up the decade that had promised so much after the post war years of the 1950’s, it ended with the Vietnam war and the nagging question, did the Americans really land on the moon, or was it a Hollywood Special?

This was a memorable and highly interesting talk to end our 2025/2026 season.

(JD)

Members Meeting 8th April 2026

Margot Atherton was our speaker at our April monthly meeting.

We heard an interesting talk about the history of Hartshead with photos of buildings in the village including the church.

The Armytage family of Kirklees Hall and the Brontes figured in the talk too.

PW

Member’s Meeting – 11th February 2026

Our February’s meeting saw the welcome return of Mr John Lyte who gave a very interesting and informative talk on the village of Briestfield, near Grange Moor.

John had carried out extensive research into the history of the village from the Middle Ages to the present day.

His talk included references to the Beaumont Family, who were Lords of the Manor, and who fought for the Crown in the Civil War. He also talked about five very large historical houses that had been demolished by their owners to avoid death duties, and also the various other buildings that had been demolished to build new properties to serve the current requirements of todays population.

His talk also included a more recent part of history, which many of the members were able to recall – the collapse of the old Emley Moor Television Mast on the 19^th March 1969.

The talk was illustrated with videos and photographs.

The Chairman, on behalf of the members, thanked John for his interesting talk.

GEHS Member and Mr John Lyte

(PW/cb)

Member’s Meeting – Wednesday 14th January 2026

A fascinating talk about the Halifax plug Riots was given by David Glover explaining the background to the riots in the 1840s.

The poverty, poor wages, long hours and lack of universal suffrage.

David explained which Mills were closed down and where the marchers came from in Bradford and down the Calder Valley.

(PW)