The summit is an opportunity for everyone to discuss how the heritage community of Yorkshire can work together more effectively: to support and promote the work each organisation does, and use the collective influence of the organisations to raise the profile of heritage and create a better understanding of its importance.

Join us in Pontefract Town Hall – an 18th century architectural masterpiece in the heart of Yorkshire – for:

1. Special presentations about Yorkshire’s special identity and cultural heritage and how this relates to the business of tourism. This event also marks English Tourism Week (March 18th-27th) as a celebration of the major contribution made by Yorkshire’s rich cultural heritage to the region’s tourism success.

2. Presentations by selected heritage organisations.

3. Debate on issues related to Yorkshire’s heritage, past, present and future – for the purpose of agreeing common aims and objectives related to the promotion of heritage in Yorkshire.

4. Yorkshire Heritage Fair – Heritage related books, literature, ideas and displays from all over Yorkshire.

5. A tour of the historic Town Hall and an afternoon guided tour with Pontefract Civic Society or part of Pontefract’s historic town centre.

Summit objectives:

To bring as many existing regional and local Yorkshire Heritage Guardians and potential Guardians together as possible in a face to face situation to encourage an exchange of ideas, feedback on the HG concept, networking between groups, sharing of current problems and opportunities facing voluntary groups in Yorkshire post-Pandemic and to suggest solutions and new ways forward.

To visit a particular location in Yorkshire and to share insights into the ways that one Yorkshire Heritage Guardian and Civic Society is responding to these challenges whilst celebrating a unique part of Yorkshire’s local and natural history and sense of place.

AGENDA AND TIMETABLE:

0945-1015 Arrival, Registration and Coffee

1015 Welcome from the Yorkshire Society: Geoff Walsh, Deputy Chairman, The Yorkshire Society

1025 Introduction to the Day – and housekeeping matters Paul Cartwright, Chair, Pontefract Civic Society

1030 Yorkshire Identity and Local Heritage – how the story of the place in which we live helps us to understand who we are. Colin Speakman Vice Chair PLACE Yorkshire

1100 Yorkshire Heritage and the Visitor Experience Tim Barber, Yorkshire Association of Blue Badge Guides

1130 Yorkshire’s more than human culture – wildlife as an Integral Part of local Cultural Heritage Rachel Bice, CEO Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

1200 Panel discussion

1230 -1330 Lunch & networking time – bring packed lunch (or use local cafes/hostelries). Tea/Coffees available

1330 The Pontefract Story – a brief outline of the history of Pontefract, its role in English and Yorkshire history and the work of the Pontefract Civic Society, including challenges and opportunities in 2022. Paul Cartwright

1350 An introduction to Pontefract Town Hall – its history, the building, its present function

1415-1530 Pontefract on foot – a short guided tour of the town centre with Paul Cartwright and Civic Society Guide members

1530 (optional) a visit to Pontefract Museum

TICKETS and FURTHER INFORMTION

There is a nominal charge of £5 per person for attending.

Book your tickets now, or for further information, please contact heritage@theyorkshiresociety.org