A visit to Spen Valley Historical Society.
Two members of Wakefield Historical Society, Lesley Taylor and Shirley Levon, gave a talk on ‘Smeaton and the Calder Navigation’ to the Spen Valley Historical Society on 11th October. Although the area, which includes Heckmondwike and Cleckheaton, is only a few miles from Wakefield, it is an area they were not familiar with, and benefited from learning more about its history. As the talk was based around the building of the Navigation in the 18th century, the subject of manufacture and trade in that period was brought up. In the later 18th century the main manufacture was of blankets which would probably have been taken to the Piece Hall in Halifax to sell. It was unlikely that they would take goods to Dewsbury where they could have accessed the Navigation, since the route would have been too hilly and difficult. A bill for turnpiking the Leeds to Elland road which passed through the Spen area went through Parliament in 1740, so by the time it was constructed it would have provided a useful route to Halifax.
Lesley and Shirley were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed speaking to a well-attended meeting. Their book on the subject is still available through the WHS website.