Wilsden Village Society History

15. The New Millennium

The New Millennium 1

As the millennium approached there was discussion about how to mark the event. A beacon on Wilsden Hill had been suggested but members thought that would be difficult to organise at that time of year and opted instead to work with the gardening association to plant spring bulbs, leaving it to other village organisations to arrange anything else they thought appropriate.

In 2000, with Martin Harrison still chairman, in addition to work already described and continuing monitoring of planning applications, the society turned again to the question of a parish council. Ken Pitchers explained that these are legally constituted bodies which carry some weight with local councils. The government had changed its attitude to them and perhaps it was time to canvas the opinion of the village. Cullingworth already had a parish council and their chairman was invited to the WVS April meeting. He talked about the advantages and rights of a statutory elected body. He said there should be public meetings to show support for such a move. There would need to be support from at least 10% of the parish and then an application could be made to Bradford Council. In May the society agreed to go ahead. A steering committee was formed, consisting of Martin Harrison, Ken Pitchers, Peter Allison, Gordon Bennett and Elizabeth Martin. They established the boundary which would apply, including Harecroft, and the number of residents. Peter Allison lodged a strong complaint about Wilsden Conservatives circulating people about helping to set up a parish council. WVS was working to set up a non-party political body. Further action was postponed, waiting for light evenings in order to visit homes to obtain the necessary petition of 350 names.

In this year, Dr Verner Wheelock resigned as president of the society as he and his family would shortly be leaving the village. Vice president Barbara Hopkinson indicated her willingness to stand. The society and the village hall management committee contributed to a gift in recognition of Verner’s contribution to the village.

At the end of the year, the society gave £350 to sponsor an attraction at the next gala and £250 to Wilsden Band in recognition of their support over the years and their attendance at Remembrance Day services. The following year they gave an additional £1000 to the gala committee towards the purchase of a marquee.

2001 saw the loss of another stalwart of the society when Ken Pitchers died in March. Ken was a founder member, chairman, treasurer for many years and an invaluable source of guidance as to how the municipal committee mind works. Many of the society’s successes owed much to his suggestions about approaches and wording most likely to be effective. He had also represented the society at meetings of several useful organisations. The society did not make a general practice of erecting memorials to its workers – so many did so much - but there was a strong feeling that Ken’s contributions should be marked. He had been prominent and active in almost every aspect of society activities, serious or fun, from that day in 1970 when he had identified himself to the gathering in Royd House as “Pitchers, as in jug.” After discussion with Ken’s widow Marjorie, a suitably inscribed seat was bought and placed in Main Street between St Matthew’s Church and the entrance to the gardening association allotments.

At a public meeting on 4th July, almost all attending were in favour of asking for a parish council. A group headed by Peter Allison produced an explanatory notice to be delivered to every house in Wilsden and Harecroft. This went out in September and resulted in a petition signed by 15.82% of the electorate. This was accepted by the Shipley Area Panel and would be taken forward. A delay ensued as a periodic review of Bradford District electoral ward boundaries was due to take place which meant that a new parish council decision could not be considered until this was complete.

It is hardly surprising that an organisation which had been running for over 30 years would have seen changes among its membership. Interests and commitments change over the years, people move in and out of the area and anno Domini takes its toll. None of this prepared the village society for the next loss. In January 2002 chairman Martin Harrison died suddenly after contracting pneumonia. He was only 47 and was accurately described in the Telegraph and Argus as having been a passionate member of WVS for eight years. Before his illness Martin had already been working on ideas for the next opportunity for a big village event. 2002 would be the Golden Jubilee of the Queen’s reign and he had in mind some kind of street fair or party. He had invited committee members to discuss ideas, but was taken ill before having chance to share his thoughts. Vice chairman Chris Exley (pictured) had been due to meet Martin about this but the meeting had not taken place. At the society’s meeting on 21st January, president Barbara Hopkinson paid tribute to Martin and proposed that Chris should take over as chairman until the AGM in June.

A small sub committee would be formed to take forward the jubilee plans. Chris welcomed Councillor Juliette Kinsey to her first WVS meeting, continuing the long established tradition of cooperation between the society and ward councillors. Councillor Margaret Eaton wrote several times to make sure the society was aware of issues which could affect Wilsden and Councillor Simon Cooke spoke at planning enquiries on behalf of the village, being particularly concerned about the future of the Birkshead Mills site when the business finally closed in 2002. Providence Mill also came under scrutiny. The society did not object to plans to convert the buildings for housing, demolishing single storey extensions and the redundant chimney. It was the Bradford planners who insisted on the chimney being retained. The position of the chimney (redundant since the mill converted to electricity in the 1940s) made it impossible for contractors to work on the site, and eventually agreement was reached that it could be demolished and rebuilt a few yards away. The rebuild was actually taller than the one demolished, which had been lowered to reduce maintenance when it was no longer in use. Stories that WVS were responsible for causing the developers the trouble and expense of the chimney move were quite unfounded.