Huddersfield: The Town That Bought Itself

Hear the story of how Huddersfield famously became known as The Town That Bought Itself when the local council purchased much of the land in the town centre and surrounding area in 1920. Robert Clegg from West Yorkshire Archive Service tells us why this matters for people today. Find out more at: thetownthat.uk/

[@JanetKetteringham]

Wow! I've always been proud to be born in Huddersfield. And now I know why. The strength, determination and vision of those men needs to be celebrated and shouted out loud. Thank you.

[@nickdeth24]

Clegg! Marvellous. I'm staying in Huddersfield this year as a base to exploring Yorkshire and its glorious countryside.

[@bobbysamra9588]

Love my home town 🌹

[@SunGsam-rd7tu]

It's shit 😂

[@bevla341]

Very interesting. Many thanks for this.

[@paulr2244]

I never knew that. Thanks for a very informative video! 👍🏻

[@suzannehaigh4281]

Ton tht bought itself that has been stolen away from us by ???

[@d.beaumont9157]

I feel like a foreigner in my own town. Never go to town now unless i have to.

[@WgCdrLuddite]

The reasons are a bit more interesting; post WW1 the ruling class of Huddersfield had been decimated in the war. A typical example is the Tolson family who, having lost their heirs, gave Ravensknowle Hall and Park to Huddersfield Corporation. It is hard to research but my suspicion is that the Ramsden family were in the same boat.

[@michaelkillian6356]

My God , and how they managed to squander that advantage by the utterly appalling redevelopment of the early 70s .

[@JohnFekoloid]

Hope to get any response. I studied in Huddersfield university and stayed there about 2 years. I never saw any gutters or drainages in the town as is very common in my towns in my African country. How did you guys do it? Come to think of it, I didn't see power lines either.

[@jangomoonstomp]

They put them underground, that's why you don't see them, it's the same all over the Uk.

[@WgCdrLuddite]

The sewers were constructed underground in the Victorian era (1800s). The power grid ( 1890s) was also built underground. Back then labour (navvies) was cheap and Huddersfield Corporation would have found it much easier to pass byelaws enabling such construction.

[@sean9595]

Huddersfield was a very good in its day but the past 20 years or more it’s become a sh.. hole. well done Kirklees

[@pkc3168]

Even after the council makes thousands from parking and speeding fines infrastructure and pot holes are get worse by the day. First world corruption.

[@PeterFlynn-bp5fi]

Yep

[@jamiehardcastle7952]

Kirklees have destroyed Huddersfield the town centre is a disgrace

[@angelajohnson8936]

An interesting video but sadly I agree with previous comments. Kirklees has been very badly managed over the years, I should think Sam Copley will be spinning in his grave.

[@johnbruce2868]

I hope your football team isn't relegated from the Championship League.

[@ThatTallGuy0]

The town is a shell of what it used to be. Fkn disgrasful