Historic attractions around Huddersfield are opening their doors to the public as part of an Heritage Open Days event – and for some this is the only chance people will get to see inside. KATIE CAMPLING reports

MORE than 130 historic sights around West Yorkshire will open to the public between September 6 and 9.

It is part of an annual national event organised by English Heritage, the Civic Trust and locally with Kirklees Museums and Galleries.

Many of the attractions are not usually open to the public during the year.

Helen Keighley, English Heritage outreach officer, said: “Heritage Open Days are a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and celebrate the region’s rich history. This year the event will be bigger than ever before.”

In total, 20 sites in Kirklees will be taking part, including Grade II-listed Dewsbury Minster, the Red House museum, Gomersal, and Oakwell Hall, Birstall.

Huddersfield sites welcoming visitors will include St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church at New North Road, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year.

Visitors will see old parish records of christenings, weddings, funerals and displays about its history.

People can get a close-up view of Greenhead Park’s war memorial and attractions in Beaumont Park.

Huddersfield University will be hosting guided walks around its buildings from September 7 to 9. Visitors will be shown the work of architect Edward Hughes at Huddersfield Technical School and Mechanic’s Institute – now the university’s School of Human and Health Sciences – and the former Milton Congregational Church at Queensgate which was refurbished as a drama department in 2004. Also on the tour will be the Ramsden Building.

Brian Haigh, a guest speaker at the event, said: “Though one of the country’s newer universities, the University of Huddersfield can trace its origins to the 19th century.”

To book contact the university’s Archives and Special Collections department on 01484 473168.

In Holmfirth, the town’s oldest building – Owd Towser – will be open for viewing.

The building, created in 1595, has been used as a constable’s office, fire station and ambulance station over the years.

The Colne Valley will also be hosting events. On Saturday and Sunday, the Colne Valley Museum in Golcar will hold a ‘Tea for Two and Tales’ event featuring scone-baking, cream teas and storytelling. The event will run alongside the museum’s exhibition, The Changing Face Of Marsden: 1800 to 1950. The museum opens from 2pm to 5pm each day.

The National Coal Mining Museum at Overton, near Flockton, will be holding special events from Friday to Sunday, including a once-a-year chance to discover the Screens Building at the museum.

The museum’s medical centre exhibit will also open and there will also be a sale hosted by Yorkshire Craft Fairs on September 8.

A leaflet on all the Heritage Open Days events is available from all Kirklees Council offices and libraries or at www.heritageopendays.org