Otley Town Council

Otley Conservation TASK FORCE
Founded in 1997, Otley
Conservation Task Force is
well established as the
town’s focus group when
it comes to conserving
our built environment.
This year, the year of the
“Credit Crunch”, pressure of
development in Otley has eased off,
allowing us to “take stock” of some of the restoration work that we
would like to see properly done, in a timely manner.
Ashfield Works was a site of production of the “Wharfedale” printing
press. We hope that an appropriate mixed-use development of this key
conservation area site that would enhance the remaining empty stonebuilt
buildings here will happen soon. This would be a tribute to
William Dawson, “founder of the printing machine industry in Otley”.
At Garnett’s Mill, also empty, plans are being announced for its
development. Although no traces from before the nineteenth century
survive now, there has been a mill on this riverside site for around 800
years, which redevelopment must recognise.
The disused buildings of the former Wharfedale Union Workhouse are
protected through the efforts of our founder, the late Phil Coyne, who
submitted them for “listing”. When the architectural historian, Derek
Linstrum, prepared his architectural assessment for the listing
application, he concluded that “the character of a small 1870s
workhouse has survived”. Indeed, conversion to hospital use left the
workhouse remarkably intact. Plans have recently come forward to
convert the buildings again, to domestic use. We are keen to see the
far-from-satisfactory new hospital screened out as much as possible,
and the workhouse and its setting sympathetically restored.
Throughout the conservation area, there remain many smaller
buildings such as public houses and cottages that date from when Otley
was first built in stone, and which tell us of Otley’s past. Some of
these are still in use; others are empty. They are all worthy of being
properly conserved.
For more details about us, please visit our web-site by typing
“conservation Otley” into your search engine (there is a mail form
there), or contact the Honorary Secretary on 01943-465398.
Ian Andrew
Charities Supported by
Otley Parish Church
Beer Festival
The Otley Beer Festival started out as a way of raising money for the
upkeep of All Saints Parish Church. Much of the present church
building was in existence by 1500 but the oldest parts of it date from
the 11th and 12th centuries. Some alterations and additions were
made to the church by the Victorians but, substantially, All Saints is a
medieval building. The stonework of the large east window, for
example, dates from the late 15th century whilst the glass came from
the St Helens Glass Company in 1851.
Maintaining such an ancient building costs a lot of money. It is difficult
for a relatively small congregation to find all the resources needed to
keep this building, which is of great local and national importance, in
good shape. Otley parish Church doesn’t get any money for this work
on a regular basis from any outside bodies though grants have been
obtained for specific projects.
The annual Beer Festival is an important source of funds to pay for
maintenance such as combating dry rot and doing repairs to the roof
and other stonework.
Up to 2005 all the proceeds from the Beer Festival went to the Parish
Church but, in 2005, the Parochial Church Council unanimously agreed
that they wanted to share the money raised with other local charities.
The following is a list of the charities which have benefited from funds
from the Otley Beer Festival since 2005.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
CARERS LEEDS (OTLEY GROUP)
FRIENDS OF GALLOWS HILL
FRIENDS OF SPRING GARDENS
HANG ON TO A DREAM
OTLEY ACTION FOR OLDER PEOPLE
OTLEY ALL SAINTS PRIMARY SCHOOL – ‘MYTHBUSTERS’ PROJECT
OTLEY AND DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
OTLEY AND DISTRICT TALKING NEWSPAPER
OTLEY BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED CLUB
OTLEY SAILING CLUB – ‘SAIL FREE’ PROJECT
REVA WATER ACTIVITY CENTRE
SPACE TO GROW
SPEAKABILITY (OTLEY GROUP)
It’s that time of year again !
The Ninth Otley Beer Festival
will be taking place on the
20th and 21st of November 2009
The Festival will be held as usual in the Otley Civic Centre, which is located
on Boroughgate in Otley opposite the Maypole.
Over 60 Real Ales will be available to sample as well as a large
selection of Real Cider, Perry and Global Beers.
Food is also available throughout the day.
The festival runs from 12 Noon until 11pm on both days.
Otley Beer Festival is organized on behalf of Otley Parish Church to raise
funds for local charities. So far over £30,000 has been raised.
For more information log on to our website at:
www.otleybeerfestival.co.uk
OTLEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL
& HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Our Autumn/Winter programme began in September with Miss
Suzanne Dunne giving a talk on Harewood House and the Lascelles
Familty this was followed in October with Ms Jan Scrine and her
subject was A Walk on the Huddersfield/Brighouse Boundary, a
packhorse way, 2 turnpikes etc. In November Mr Trevor Moody will
speak about Frank Meadow Sutcliffe the Victorian Photographer
and in December we have Noel Nostalgia by Mrs Jennifer Stacey.
Most of the lectures are accompanied with a slide show.
We had two trips out during the summer months, first of all we
visited Leighton hall near Carnforth and in July we went to
Grimsthorpe Castle at Bourne in Lincolnshire. In December we
will be going to Kipling Hall Near Scorton, Richmond to see their
Christmas Past and Christmas Presents event.
We meet at 7.45 pm in the Manor Room at the Bridge Church
on the second Thursday in the month, membership is £8 per
person and guests pay £2.50 per evening.
If you require any further information please ring 01943 465925