HALIFAX Photographic Society has mounted an impressive exhibition in the Piece Hall Art Gallery, titled Looking at Halifax.

The exhibition is based round four iconic buildings related to the history of the town and its changing fortunes.

The parish church represents old Halifax, the Piece Hall shows the importance of wool and cloth-making in the 18th Century, the town hall reflects the prosperity of the Victorian era, and the Halifax Society HQ is a reminder that history continues to be written here.

The show opens with a super panorama of the whole town with its tall flats, old mills, the Piece Hall, the Halifax Society HQ, the Victoria Theatre and other well-known buildings. It is split into many sections for effect.

Then there’s a close look at the town hall by Mike Bentley, Andrew Nicholls and Rod Stafford, showing the imposing tower, the large amount of architectural detail and decoration, the clock, with its texts like Man Proposeth, God Disposeth.

We see the splendour of the main hall, the dignified council chamber, and details of the elaborate stained glass ceiling of the main hall.

When it comes to the Piece Hall pictures we see the hall and its yard in snow, the impressive entrance gates, the old arches showing their signs of wear, and the equally worn steps. Construction of the building began in 1774, we are reminded, at a cost of £8,460. It was described by one visitor as “a new and magnificent building.”

Halifax Parish Church, perhaps a somewhat haunt building from the outside, despite its beautifully-proportioned tower, has an interior of ample proportions and is full of treasures like the stained glass windows, the woodwork of the organ and pulpit.

The photographs of the Halifax Building Society HQ are split are sections to emphasise the dramatic nature of the construction.

Finally, there’s another huge panorama, split into sections, of the great Dean Clough Mills complex.

The exhibition runs until July 12 and is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

r IT was a happy atmospheric evening at the AC Gallery, Byram Street, last Friday, when folk singer Roger Davies launched a new CD, Northern Trash, which contains a track eulogising the paintings of Peter Brook, of Brighouse.

Like Peter, Roger comes form Brighouse and says: “I have loved his pictures since I was small. After visiting Peter’s exhibition at Brighouse in February, I was inspired to write the song, and am glad that he liked it. I had never spoken to or met Peter before.”

The song talks of famous artists including Utrillo and Constable, but points out that, for Roger, you can’t beat Peter Brook.

Other aspects of Northern life are covered in the CD, not least the Saturday nights out in Brighouse.

Peter says he is flattered by Roger’s song. Some of the artist’s latest work is a humorous take on global warming. His next exhibition at his gallery at Muker, in the Dales, will be titled, Trespassing for the sake of art.

rBrighouse and Rastrick Band have been working with Roger Davies on the track, Brighouse On A Saturday Night. Roger has long admired the band and approached composer in residence, Leigh Baker, to discuss working together.