The Westgate Project

Wakefield Historical Society’s involvement with the Westgate Project began with the formation of a research group in April 2018 to encourage interested members of the Society to learn more about the collections in the West Yorkshire History Centre, and to become more accustomed to accessing and using archive resources in general. As a result a small group of about ten members led by Lesley Taylor was formed.

By the summer of the same year Wakefield Council was preparing a bid for a Heritage Action Zone for Upper Westgate. It was decided that the research group should focus on Westgate so that the Society could contribute to the project. Our President and Secretary, Pam and Phil Judkins began liaising with Wakefield Council and the other groups involved, and gave direction to the group’s activities.

The detailed research that has been conducted on particular buildings and streets has been provided to the other groups involved: Wakefield Council, the Civic Society and the Cultural Consortium. Exhibitions related to our research, and talks by our members have been provided.