HE DESIGNED and built some of Huddersfield’s most notable buildings.

Now a group to celebrate the work of architect Edgar Wood has been set up in Huddersfield.

Edgar Wood Heritage Group (EWHG) plans to run public tours of buildings designed by the man behind the Grade I listed Banney Royd, Edgerton and Lindley Clock Tower.

Wood was born near Manchester and built many buildings around the city.

But his second home was Huddersfield, where he designed many buildings – some commissioned by Sykes wire manufacturers, ofLindley.

In 1895 he built Briarcourt, Occupation Road, and the chancel at East Street Methodist Church, both at Lindley.

Three years later he designed The Clergy House, Almondbury, and three cottages on Norman Terrace, Lindley.

And in 1901 he built Lindley Gatehouse, Crosland Road.

Wood gained national recognition for his influential “modernist” work and many of his finest buildings are to be found in Middleton, where he was born.

Wood started his practice in Middleton in 1885 and by 1893 he had moved his office to Manchester, where he later worked with his partner James Henry Sellers.

Wood retired to the Italian Riviera, where he died in 1935.

EWHG plans to run tours of Briar Court and East Street Methodist Church, on September 12 as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days (HODs).

HODs are organised by English Heritage to encourage owners of historic buildings to open them to the public for a weekend.

Kirklees Council has opened Lindley Clock Tower as part of previous HODs.

It also plans to publish a guide to Wood’s Huddersfield buildings.

Founder David Griffiths said: “We were struck by the fact there’s a strong heritage to these very interesting buildings in Huddersfield.

“We think Wood was a very interesting architect and deserves to be known in Huddersfield where his second biggest body of work is.

“At the end of the Victorian era Wood was leading the way forward for modern architecture so we are keen to have him better known locally.”

For details on EWHG tours and other information email: edgarwoodinlindley@gmail.com or write to EWHG, 24 Sunnybank Road, HD3 3DE.