LOCAL schoolchildren are celebrating the heritage of cricket at Fartown.
All Saints' Catholic High School at Bradley Bar has joined forces with Huddersfield University, creating the Fartown Cricket Project Partnership.
The scheme aims to preserve, celebrate and broaden recognition of cricket and its rich cultural traditions in Calderdale and Kirklees.
All Saints teamed up with the Cricket Heritage Project after seeing an exhibition last summer.
The head of history at All Saints, Jacinta Rogers, said: "Our children enjoy working on special projects and the Fartown cricket exhibition is perfect. It's an historic local landmark."
The school is searching for Fartown cricket veterans who remember the bygone days. Pupils want to interview them to gain information for an exhibition, which the school is producing with the university.
Fartown cricket ground was a famous venue for many years, staging Yorkshire county fixtures. It has only become disused in the last few years.
The Fartown cricket project involves 26 students between the ages of 13 and 14 who have all shown enthusiasm for history.
The children are working on the project in their own time. "They are really enjoying it." said Ms Rogers.
The Cricket Heritage Project was set up in 2004 after its leader, Peter Davies, was encouraged to apply for cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
They received a grant of £43,400, which was increased by £7,000 by an in-kind contribution from the university.
Mr Davies, who teaches French and history at the university, said: "This link-up with All Saints is a great opportunity."
There will be an exhibition about local cricket, incorporating the children's work, at Huddersfield Library from June 15.
For more information on the project visit: www.ckcricketheritage.org.uk
Anyone with memories of cricket at Fartown should call Ms Rogers on 01484 426466
