The centenary of Harold Wilson’s birth will be marked by a special arts and theatre project.
Slaithwaite-based Watershed Workshops has been gifted £10,000 of lottery cash for its Wilson 100 scheme.
Led by volunteers from the Colne Valley, the project will reinvigorate the memories and legacy of the Huddersfield-born prime minister.
The mission is to educate the generations of children and adults who may only know him as a statue outside Huddersfield railway station.
The project will culminate on March 11, 2016 – what would have been his 100th birthday – with a celebration event featuring songs and plays.
Take a look below to see Harold Wilson's political life in pictures.
Organisers are now asking for Huddersfield residents’ memories of Harold, especially those who met him or knew his family as he grew up in Milnsbridge.
They wish to create an understanding of his early influences and what kind of places Paddock, Cowlersley and Milnsbridge were between the two World Wars.
Andy Burton, ‘Wilson 100’ composer said: “The researched material will be used in the schools to create a set of new songs and plays about Harold Wilson to bring his early years alive.”
Watershed Workshops are working with Satellite Arts and Royds Hall Community School, where Wilson was educated in Huddersfield.
They will also be involving Cowlersley and Crow Lane Primary schools with local history groups to deliver a programme of community education sessions.
For more information and to express an interest in being involved with ‘Wilson 100’, please contact Gill at The Watershed. hello@satellitearts.org.uk Tel: 01484 848072
Harold Wilson and Huddersfield
All about Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson was born in Warneford Road
He went to school in Milnsbridge and at Royds Hall
Harold Wilson, won four general elections for the Labour Party and was prime minister from 1964 to 1970 and 1974 to 1976.
A statue of him stands in St George’s Square - complete with his trademark pipe
He died on May 23, 1995 in London.
