Inside Broadfield Mill, Lockwood (credit: Kirklees Local Studies Library)

By KLTV Newsdesk – 

Local historian Keith Robinson to lead heritage walk and book launch as part of Huddersfield’s Heritage Open Days

Huddersfield Local History Society is set to shine a light on the forgotten stories of hundreds of Lockwood millworkers with the launch of a new book during this year’s Heritage Open Days.

The Millworkers of Lockwood: Two Centuries of Struggle, written by local author Keith Robinson, tells the stories of the men, women and children who laboured to earn a living in often dangerous conditions in the area’s textile mills.

The launch coincides with this year’s Heritage Open Days theme of “Everyday Histories”.

A walk through Lockwood’s industrial past

On Saturday 12 September, Keith will lead a short walk through Lockwood, tracing how the area was transformed during the 19th century from a rural spa into a bustling centre of the textile industry.

The walk starts from Euro Tyres at 2 pm, and will explore themes central to the book, including child labour, workplace accidents, worker unrest, the rise of the textile unions, and the harsh living conditions endured by Lockwood residents at the time.

The walk will be followed by the official book launch at 3 pm at Grappolo Restaurant, 2 Water St, Lockwood, Huddersfield HD4 6EJ, a five-minute walk from the starting point.

Free parking is available at the restaurant or at the nearby Albert St and Water St car parks, and pre-booking is not required.

Ordinary lives at the heart of the story

While the book examines ten Lockwood mills and provides brief histories of each, Keith was keen to stress that this is not a story about the millowners.

Drawing on a wide range of archival sources, he instead focuses on the experiences of the workers themselves, 76 of whom are named within its pages, charting their efforts to improve their lot through strikes and political campaigns, as well as the very different paths some took towards a better life, or, for others, destitution.

Keith is something of a newcomer to the town, having moved to Huddersfield just two years ago for family reasons.

Settling in Lockwood, he set about learning its history and was struck by how many of its historic mills remain standing and have been sympathetically restored, in contrast to the wholesale demolition seen elsewhere in Huddersfield.

Brought up in the Black Country, Keith turned his attention to local history after retiring from the National Trust a decade ago, going on to publish several books on the region.

He said: “My interest is in social and economic history and the lives of ordinary people. My books on the Black Country have all focused on that aspect so, over the years I have developed a variety of ways into delving into workers’ lives.”

Keith believes the Lockwood story resonates far beyond the immediate area.

“Without a doubt the lives and experiences of Lockwood workers are completely representative of textile workers across the wider Huddersfield area.”

Filling a gap in the Society’s collection

The book is the latest addition to Huddersfield Local History Society’s growing catalogue of publications.

Publications secretary David Griffiths said: “We now have nearly 20 titles in print, covering a wide range of subjects.

“We are always looking to break new ground, and Keith’s book opens up the story of the town’s industrial workers, which has been a missing link in our range.

“Proposals for future books are always welcome.”

How to get a copy

The Millworkers of Lockwood: Two Centuries of Struggle runs to 190 pages and includes 22 illustrations.

Priced at £10, it will be available at the book launch and in local bookshops from 14 September.

Copies can also be ordered, plus postage and packing, or pre-ordered, via the Local History Society’s website.

Further details of the Heritage Open Days events are available at heritageopendays.org.uk.