And now for something a bit different... In this episode, History Out Loud has a chat with illustrator and author, Chris Mould, about his life growing up in West Yorkshire and the characters he has brought to life in books such as The Iron Man, Animal Farm and the graphic novel, War of the Worlds. Chris currently has an exhibition of his work at Bankfield Museum, Halifax, running until the 30th of August 2025. To find out more, please visit: https://museums.calderdale.gov.uk/whats-on/exhibitions...
Jun 27, 2025•50 min
In this episode, history enthusiast, Marlene Oliveira and History Out Loud's Gill put on their crampons and follow in the footsteps of famous diarist, Anne Lister, as she climbs Mont Perdu and The Vignemale, in the Pyrenees. Unfortunately Gill did fall into a few pronunciation crevices, but she manged to make it to the top in once piece.
May 02, 2025•55 min
In this episode History Out Loud's Sarah takes over the presenter seat :) for a chat with Rob Kilner, from Calderdale Markets, about the history of market trading in Halifax. This episode dovetails with the Halifax Borough Market 'Streets in the Sky' event, taking place in Central Library and Archives on the 12th of February. Though this event is fully booked, do drop in to the Local Studies department in Central Library to learn more about this spectacular borough market, and visit the Calderda...
Feb 11, 2025•37 min
In this 'Christmas Special' episode, Sarah and Gill take a not too serious look back at some local Christmas news stories...
Dec 16, 2024•46 min
"A landscape is never properly settled until it is named and given stories". Welcome back listeners for a bumper episode in which returning guest, John Billingsley, and Gill take a long ramble over the epic topic of Moorland...
Oct 14, 2024•56 min
Author, Paul Weatherhead, makes a welcome return to the podcast. In this episode he sheds light on the historical legends, ghouls, hoaxes and headless phantoms that have beset the Calder Valley, and now haunt the pages of his popular book, ' Weird Calderdale '...
Jul 31, 2024•49 min
In this episode we chat with Sarah Browning, a member of the Friends of Christ Church Todmorden community group, about the history of Christ Church and their valiant work in uncovering and preserving forgotten graves. Brambles, knot-weed, grave robbers and a trick cyclist are up for discussion...
May 31, 2024•52 min
Thornton village, the birthplace of the Brontës, is often overlooked with regard to its cultural and historical significance. In this episode, we chat to local historian, Steve Stanworth, about how the family came to be living in Thornton, and the Brontë Birthplace Campaign's mission to preserve and celebrate this important part of history. https://brontebirthplace.com/
Apr 05, 2024•49 min
It's 2024 and Sarah and Gill are back with another episode! Join them as they explore the curious history of The Running Man of Halifax, and the infamous Halifax Gibbet... (Note: we will be discussing execution by decapitation)
Feb 02, 2024•43 min
In 1858, Charles Dickens came to Halifax to read his popular novella, ‘A Christmas Carol’. Join local historian, David Glover, and History Out Loud’s Gill, as they bring this incredible event to life. This isn’t Dickens' only connection to the town, however, and David has been researching another little-known connection…
Dec 01, 2023•44 min
Join regular guest, Sarah, and History Out Loud's Gill, for a true tale of bottle throwing, mud-slinging and bum notes at a 'friendly' brass band competition gone wrong.
Sep 29, 2023•42 min
Weird Calderdale author, Paul Weatherhead, returns to History Out Loud to unravel the story Tom Bell - outlaw and thief, and detail the various explorations and discoveries inside the labyrinthine 'Tom Bell' caves under Hebden Bridge...
Jul 28, 2023•44 min
Join local historian and writer, John Billingsley, and History Out Loud's Gill Carpenter for part two of this true tale of greed, duplicity, sorcery and buried riches in 16th century Yorkshire...
Jun 02, 2023•42 min
Join local historian and writer, John Billingsley, and History Out Loud's Gill Carpenter for a true tale of greed, duplicity, sorcery and buried riches in 16th century Yorkshire... PART 2 out next week ;)
May 26, 2023•41 min
To celebrate Anne Lister's birthday we have a very special episode recorded with author and historian, Jill Liddington. Jill is the author of 'Female Fortune: the Anne Lister Diaries, 1833 - 36', and has a brand new book out - 'As Good as a Marriage: the Anne Lister Diaries, 1836 - 38' which explores, interprets and opens up the life Anne Lister shared with Ann Walker during this short but rarely covered time period.
Apr 03, 2023•48 min
"I went to gaol a rebel, but I have come out a regular terror". Just one of many unforgettable quotes from suffragette and house-builder, Laura Annie Willson. In this episode we are joined by local historian, Anne Kirker, to discuss the life and times of this dynamic and inspiring woman.
Mar 10, 2023•49 min
In our first episode of 2023, Sarah and Gill discuss the life and work of Henry Blackburn, Todmorden's long-suffering Nuisance Inspector. But what exactly did his job entail? Sarah has been delving into the library archives and has all the answers... * If you'd like to find out about Halifax's first Sanitary Inspector, there will be a fascinating display at Halifax Central Library and Archives from the beginning of February.
Jan 27, 2023•47 min
Who was Buffalo Bill and how did he end up in Halifax? Saddle up and join Gill and Sarah for a galloping, bullwhacking, sharpshooting ride through the life and times of one of the most famous showmen of the 19th century...
Dec 02, 2022•46 min
In this episode, History Out Loud has a chat with cartographer and author, Christopher Goddard, about his life as a map maker and his 'expeditions' over the moorlands and through the woods of West Yorkshire.. If you would like to learn more about Chris' work, please visit: https://christophergoddard.net/
Oct 28, 2022•47 min
Local historian and chairperson of the Friends of Lister Lane Cemetery, David Glover, joins Gill to discuss the development, life, decline and rejuvenation of this radical burial place. If you would like to know more about the Friends of Lister Lane Cemetery you can visit their website: www.listerlanecemetery.co.uk or email them at: friendsofllc@yahoo.co.uk
Sep 29, 2022•53 min
In this episode we are joined by local historian, writer and a founding member of the Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Revival, Garry Stringfellow. What is rushbearing? When did it begin? Why do remnants of the custom survive today? Garry has all the answers...
Aug 26, 2022•50 min
How did Todmorden man, Sam Fielden, end up at the centre of the famous 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago? Seasoned History Out Loud guest, Sarah Browning, is back for the second and concluding episode of this transatlantic story.
Jul 22, 2022•36 min
"...and then, if they love the truth, they must tell to each other what is truth or what they think is the truth; that is the sum of my offending." How did Todmorden man, Sam Fielden, end up at the centre of the famous 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago? This month's guest, Sarah Browning, has been investigating...
Jun 24, 2022•40 min
Join us again for part two of the ever-morphing legend of Robin Hood. In this episode Paul Weatherhead and John Billingsley are back with Gill Carpenter to discuss documented hauntings and supernatural experiences at the grave on the Kirklees estate. For further reading check out these two books: - ‘Weird Calderdale – Strange and Horrible Local History’, by Paul Weatherhead. - ‘Hood, Head and Hag – Further Folk Tales from Calderdale’, by John Billingsley.
May 27, 2022•43 min
Local folklorist, John Billingsley and 'Weird Historian' Paul Weatherhead make a welcome return to History Out Loud to discuss the legend of Robin Hood, his death at Kirklees Priory and the mysterious goings on thereafter... This will be a bumper two-parter - we had so much to say! *For further reading, check out these two books: - 'Hood Head and Hag - Further Folk Tales from Calderdale', by John Billingsley - 'Weird Calderdale - Strange and Horrible Local History', by Paul Weatherhead....
Apr 22, 2022•39 min
We know lots about 19th Century lesbian diarist Anne Lister but what about her Halifax neighbour and long term lover Ann Walker? To mark 168 years since Ann Walker's death; Sarah caught up with Diane and Alexa from In Search of Ann Walker to find out what new information they have uncovered in the Archives and how they are starting to piece together Ann Walker's life.. To find out more about Ann Walker check out Welcome - In Search of Ann Walker Follow In Search of Ann Walker on twitter at @Sear...
Feb 25, 2022•52 min
We can all think back to winters in our past that have left an icy imprint on our memory; however, quite a few of us were not alive during the most recent, truly harsh winters to hit the United Kingdom and none of us have experienced the worst winters on record. Join Sarah Browning and Gill Carpenter for a decidedly chilly episode...
Jan 28, 2022•45 min
Sarah and Gill are joined once again by 'Weird Calderdale' author, Paul Weatherhead, to discuss UFOs, alien abductions and strange goings on in the Calder Valley...
Dec 02, 2021•56 min
In this episode Sarah tells Gill all about 18th Century Halifax Naturalist, Mycologist and Artist James Bolton
Nov 03, 2021•40 min
The first of two episodes recorded with 'Weird Calderdale' author, Paul Weatherhead. 'In the winter of 1938, while Europe braced itself for war, the people of Halifax were in a state of nervous panic. Reports had begun to emerge of a razor blade wielding maniac leaping out from the town’s many dark alleys and yards, slashing his helpless victims and then disappearing into the night with almost supernatural speed.'
Oct 01, 2021•35 min
