Farsley will soon be at the heart of a weekend of special events celebrating the village’s rich heritage.
Special heritage-related events for 2016 include:
- Farsley’s popular annual Aston Martin Parade will roll through the village on Saturday, September 10.
- Sunny Bank Mills will be opening its doors from Friday, September 9, through to Sunday, September 11, so people can take tours and see the mill’s archive.
- And on Saturday, September 10, St John’s Church will be opening its doors to allow people to enjoy an illustrated history of Farsley and its people.
Aston Martin Parade
Aston Martins will parade down Town Street from 10am before parking at the woodland Car Park at Sunny Bank Mills at 10.30am until approximately noon, when they will depart up Town Street to Whitby then Ripley Castle on the Sunday.
Although the main manufacturing plant of James Bond 007’s car of choice was in Huddersfield, Aston Martin also had a factory at Newlands Works in Farsley.
By 1950 Newlands was the main producer for tractor engines and the power unit for the new Aston DB2.
All funds collected on the day will go towards the Farsley Defibrillator Fund.
Sunny Bank Mills
Dating from 1829, Sunny Bank Mills was an important woollen and worsted mill.
Although it ceased manufacturing only eight years ago, it is still owned by the family who helped found the mill in late Georgian times.
The unique collection at Sunny Bank Mills Archive will be open, containing a complete record of cloth samples woven at the mill since the 1880s; an inspiration for all.
The atmospheric mills still contain artefacts to take you back in time to the days it employed over 900 people spinning and weaving some of the finest cloth in the world.
There will be mill tours to take you through buildings normally closed to the public and bring to life the rich history of the mill and the people involved over the centuries.
The archive will also be open from 10-4pm to the public; showcasing new displays and new discoveries. A great opportunity to get up close and personal to the collection and heritage at Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley.
Opening Times
Friday 9 September: Archive 1000-1600 & Tours 1000, 1200 and 1400
Saturday 10 September: Archive 1000-1600 & Tours every hour from 11am
Sunday 11 September: Archive 1000-1600 & Tours every hour from 11am
St John’s Church
A history of Farsley and its people will be chronicled on Saturday, 10 September, between 9am and 5.30pm.
The event features displays, stories about Farsley’s heroes and villains and a chance to chat to the Friends of St John’s and Pudsey Civic Society.
Please note the history event by the Friends of St John’s is taking place on the 2nd Sept in the church hall due to the Church not being available on the 10th because there is a wedding taking place in the Church.
Thanks Martin – this article refers to 2016’s activities and not 2017’s. Apologies for any confusion …