As I now consider Halifax to be my home, I thought I would choose the town as the initial focus for my new series looking at different places around the world.

Halifax has a rich and varied history and also has much to offer the modern visitor. It has been the administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England, since 1974. It is located near Bradford and Huddersfield and is about 65 miles from Hull and Liverpool. There is now even a direct rail link between Halifax and London!

In the recent past, the Piece Hall (a former cloth hall where pieces of woollen cloth were traded and which opened on the 1st of January, 1779) has undergone a £19 million conservation and transformation programme, completed in July 2017. Many people come from all over the world to view the magnificent Piece Hall which is now the home of many arts, crafts and independent shops.

But there are also many other reasons to visit Halifax like Wainhouse Tower (a late Victorian folly constructed between 1871 and 1875 – it is actually the tallest folly in the world), the Shay which is home to F.C. Halifax and Halifax RLFC – and Eureka! The National Children’s Museum. It is also notorious for its gibbet (guillotine used to execute criminals by decapitation) which was last used in 1650 – its original blade is on display at Banksfield Museum.

Halifax’s wealth really came from the cotton, wool and carpet industries in the 19th century as well as from numerous weaving mills. Many of these mills no longer exist or are now being used for other things. It is important to note that Dean Clough (which is in the north of the town) was one of the largest textile mills in the world and has now been converted into many different businesses. A special mention must go to the successful Crossley family who were involved in carpet manufacture and who shared some of their wealth through the construction and endowment of alms-houses for their workers. These are now run by volunteer trustees.

Another family who helped put Halifax on the world map was the Mackintosh family who produced confectionary which became popular throughout the world e.g. Rolo, Toffee Crisp and Quality Street. Ironically, their factory is now owned by Nestle.

Although there is no university in Halifax, there is the successful Calderdale College which is a further education college and two selective schools i.e. Crossley Heath School and North Halifax Grammar School.

So, all in all, I would recommend you come and see Halifax for yourself and remember that it is also the home of ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’!

* With help from Wikipedia