By KLTV Newsdesk –

“A small row of shops contains a century’s worth of stories”

Slaithwaite villagers and visitors are set for a vibrant start to 2026 as the village marks the centenary of the art deco Carr Lane parade of shops, a much-loved landmark at the heart of the community.

On Saturday 17 January, the West Yorkshire village will come alive between 2 pm and 5 pm with a lively programme of events celebrating 100 years of local history, creativity and community spirit.

The afternoon will feature costumed characters from across the parade’s past, live performances of music, poetry, storytelling and dance, interactive heritage activities within the shops themselves, and a specially curated exhibition of archive material.

Guided tours will share the fascinating stories uncovered about each shop and the people who shaped them, while local businesses will also take part, highlighting their own histories and contributions to village life.

Local performers as historical figures Jane Townend and John Jagger

Bringing Carr Lane’s past to life

The celebration marks the culmination of Slawit SHOP!, a heritage project exploring the remarkable century-long story of the Carr Lane parade – a row of eight shops built in the 1920s by local contractor John Jagger.

Standing in contrast to the surrounding Yorkshire mill-town architecture, the parade has remained a focal point of village life for generations, and its story is now being brought to life through research, creativity and community involvement.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the ‘Slawit SHOP!’ project began in early 2025, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Moonraking Festival and its SHOP theme.

The project set out to explore how the shops have evolved, who shaped them, and why they continue to play such an important role in Slaithwaite’s identity.

A century uncovered by the community

Over the past 18 months, three research groups – made up of community volunteers, young adults and local schoolchildren – have worked through countless archives, photographs, legal documents and personal collections to uncover the stories behind each of the eight shops.

They also recorded a rich set of oral histories, interviewing former shopkeepers, customers and families who lived and worked along the parade.

Together, their findings chart a century of change, from early drapers, milliners, butchers and hairdressers to today’s cafés, retailers and the long-standing, community-run greengrocers.

History inspires new creative work

The research has sparked a wave of imaginative responses from local artists. Writers, musicians, dancers, filmmakers and visual artists have created new songs, poetry, dance pieces, short films, sculptures and artworks inspired by the stories uncovered.

2025 artwork of the parade by local artist Jane Horton

These works will form an online collection, allowing the public to explore the parade’s history through multiple artistic mediums alongside the historical facts.

The project has also produced a monthly podcast series offering behind-the-scenes insights into the research process, interviews and the evolving project.

The podcast is available at soundcloud.com/slawit-shop.

A lasting legacy

Following the January celebration, the exhibition of archive material will move to Colne Valley Museum in Golcar, where it will be on display from 31 January to 15 March 2026, before being deposited with the West Yorkshire Archive Service for permanent public access.

Each business on the Carr Lane parade will also receive a permanent 2D sculpture plaque featuring artwork by local artist Frances Noon, framing a QR code that links to audio recordings and online archive material about the hundred-year history of that shop.

The Number 15 Plaque by local artist Frances Noon

Voices from the project

Project coordinator Sky Burton-Smith said: “Once you start exploring, you realise that even a small row of shops contains a century’s worth of stories.

“These are the memories and histories of our community, and we hope this encourages more local people to record and celebrate the places they know.”

Project coordinator Susanna Meese added: “Working with schools, volunteers and artists has brought the history of the parade to life in ways we never expected.

“For many young people, discovering the past of their own high street has made local history engaging, creative and meaningful.”

Join the celebration

Residents, visitors, businesses and heritage enthusiasts are warmly invited to join the January celebrations and experience the century of stories woven into Carr Lane’s past.

Attendees are encouraged to come as they are – or dress up in the fashion of their favourite era, from the 1920s to the 2020s, and be part of this unique moment in Slaithwaite’s history.

For more details on the celebration, check out the flyer below.