Doors open for glimpse inside historic buildings (From Wharfedale Observer)

Doors open for glimpse inside historic buildings

5:22pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Amanda Greaves

Historic buildings – including a courthouse and former psychiatric hospital – will open their doors to visitors as part of this week’s Heritage Open Days.

Landmark sites across Wharfedale and Aireborough will again be taking part in the national event, giving people a closer look behind the doors of heritage properties.

Otley’s oldest building will stage a series of events as part of the initiative.

All Saints Parish Church is inviting the public to discover something new about the building during an open weekend until this Sunday.

Its collection of Saxon Cross fragments indicates there has been a church on the Kirkgate site since at least the eighth century, although the oldest part of the current building dates to the 11th century.

The open weekend includes various displays, a history trail and live organ music.

Local historian Bill Mulholland will share the results of his research on the background history of all those named on the war memorial inside the church tomorrow.

The church will be open from 10am to 12.30pm tomorrow, re-opening at 3pm; and from about 11.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday.

Otley Museum in Wellcroft House, Crow Lane, will be offering virtual historical walks around the town tomorrow, with the aid of slide shows and a walks leaflet. Opening times are 10am to 4pm. Admission is free and refreshments will be available.

Otley Courthouse opens its Victorian police house, cell block and magistrates’ courts, also offering period children’s games. Opening hours are 10am to 4pm tomorrow, with guided tours from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Exhibitions about John Wesley, Methodism in Otley and overseas aid projects will be held at Otley Methodist Church from 10am tomorrow. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available, and light lunches served from noon.

The 17th century Farfield Friends Meeting House in Bolton Road, near Addingham, will be open from 1pm to 4pm tomorrow, while Airebor-ough Historical Society’s archives will bring local history to life at Yeadon Town Hall in High Street between 10am to 1pm.

Heritage enthusiasts will be able to find out more about Menston’s former psychiatric hospital, High Royds.

Based in a disused ward, High Royds Sports and Social Club will be open from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm tomorrow and Sunday.

The Heritage Chapel at High Royds Memorial Garden in Buckle Lane will be open between the same times. It remembers more than 2,800 former patients buried at the paupers’ graveyard.

Ilkley Civic Society will lead a guided walk around the Victorian suburb of West Ilkley on Sunday. Walkers should meet at the Memorial Gardens at the end of The Grove at 2pm.

Ancient Saxon church St Oswald’s in The Green, Guiseley, will hold an hour-long tour between 2pm and 3pm on Sunday. Call (01943) 876713 to book a place.