Celebration of 31st December 1919
The Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle were proud to entertain the Mayor of Kirklees Cllr Muntaz Hussain and the Mayoress Mrs Noreen Hussain in the Woodhead Hall in the Tolson Memorial Museum. The Mayor and Mayoress had been invited to join us to celebrate the giving of Ravensknowle Hall and Estate to the people of Huddersfield exactly 100 years ago. It was given to be used as a local museum.
The Mayor was welcomed. He then spoke to us about the importance of marking this occasion. He said this gift by Legh Tolson, in memory of his two nephews Robert Huntress Tolson and James Martin Tolson, created one of the most notable war memorials sites in Kirklees reminding us of all those in Huddersfield who have died in conflict of the last hundred years.
He spoke about the success of the Museums and Galleries team in winning funding for a project called ‘Bringing out the Best’. He said that this funding will enable the team to explore the future of the Museums and Galleries service including the appropriate future for Tolson Museum.
He thanked we Friends for all our work including the creating of the Heritage Memorial Garden, our programme of community events in the Museum and Garden and the weekly junior parkrun. He said our work enhanced the original purpose of the gift, that the place should be a ‘place of recreation and education’.
The Mayor was presented with a plaque by the ‘Friends’ to mark the occasion. It reads:-
This plaque was presented on 31st December 2019 to Kirklees Council by the ‘Friends’ of Tolson and Ravensknowle on the occasion of the Centenary of the gift of the Ravensknowle to Huddersfield Corporation for the people of Huddersfield on 31st December 1919.
With grateful thanks to the Tolson family who made the gift in memory of James Martin Tolson and Robert Huntress Tolson who lost their lives during the course of the First World War.
The plaque will be placed in the WW1 Memorial Gallery. I hope that you will all come to have a look at it.
Tea & Cake – Woodhead Hall, Tolson Memorial Museum
2pm – 3.30pm. Free events.
Second hand book stall. Refreshments.
- 8th Jan. The story of Emily Frances Siddon an amazing woman from Honley by local historian Peter Marshal.
- 12th Feb. The developments of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at Stirley Community Farm.
- 11th Mar. Mining Disasters and the changes they made in the mining industry. Speaker from the National Mining Museum
Cream Teas – Morning Room, Tolson Memorial Museum
1pm or 2.30pm £5 per person.Bring your family to celebrate.
- St Valentine’s Day. Sunday 16th February 2020
- Mothering Sunday. Sunday 22nd March 2020
Booking advisable.
Spring Craft Fair
About Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle
The Committee of Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle meet once a month to plan the programme for the local community and support the work of the Museum. We look after the Heritage Memorial Garden. We would welcome any one who is interested in working with us.
For more information please contact Volunteer Ann, Friends of Tolson & Ravensknowle. m: 07803159506 email: secretary@friendsoftolson.org