P R I M R O S E   H A L L

HORBURY HERITAGE COMMUNITY BUILDING PRESERVATION & MANAGEMENT TRUST Ltd
(Horbury Heritage Trust Ltd)
Background history


Horbury is very fortunate that in the 19th century there were wealthy benefactors who gave something back to the village where they had lived. As a result we have two parks which are held in Trust for the people of Horbury. Following local government re-organisation in 1974, Wakefield MDC became the trustee of both parks.
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Reid Park
John Reid was a very successful businessman, who made his fortune through the family business of J. Reid & Sons, Oil & Grease Distillers at Horbury Bridge. Reid Park at Horbury Bridge was donated by him in 1929 and is held in Trust.
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Green Park
In 1925 John Henry Green fulfilled his ambition by donating more than 11 acres of land near to Westfield Road for the use and enjoyment of the inhabitants of Horbury forever and the park was named Green Park after him.
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John Henry Green also donated the land on which Primrose Hall is built and the road is aptly named Green Park Avenue.
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There are two other parks in Horbury, Sparrow Park, situated next to the old Town Hall, and Carr Lodge Park. Grade II listed Carr Lodge, formerly Sunroyd House, was purchased by John Carr, nephew of the famous architect John Carr of York, who was born in Horbury. The dining room in the mansion has been attributed to Carr of York. Carr Lodge and park were purchased by Horbury Urban District Council in 1936 to become a public park.
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Save Horbury Heritage Group
The Save Horbury Heritage Group was formed after a number of people objected to the proposal by Wakefield MDC to sell Primrose Hall and Carr Lodge Mansion. It was quickly realised that the town was going to lose not only its heritage but also its amenities. Subsequently Horbury Heritage Trust Ltd was established as a company (No 41222636) in December 2002 and as a Charity (No 1091935) in May 2007. Its objects include:
“To preserve for the benefit of the people of Horbury and of the Nation the historical, architectural and constructional heritage that may exist in and around Horbury.”
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CARR LODGE
With regard to Carr Lodge, two bids were made by the trustees to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Because the building had been neglected over a number of years, Heritage Lottery made it a condition of acceptance that WMDC should contribute to its refurbishment. Sadly, the council refused to comply and the building was sold in November 2010. It is still un-occupied.
Horbury Heritage CBP & M Trust Ltd is the trustee of Primrose Hall
PRIMROSE HALL   (Charity No 510195)
In 1926 John Henry Green of “Highfields”, donated land for a hall to be built which was to be “…in trust for the people of Horbury forever.” The following year, Primrose Hall was built by public subscription and opened by the Primrose League as a community hall. This hall is also held in trust for the people of Horbury forever and the Trust deed states that it must be used for “the common welfare, education, entertainment, amusement and recreation of the people of Horbury and vicinity.”
Eventually, the Primrose League was unable to maintain the hall and Horbury Urban District Council assumed trusteeship in 1965, maintaining the building prior to Local Government re-organisation in 1974 when Wakefield MDC became the trustees. Primrose Hall had been fully re-furbished prior to the hand over.
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Sadly, the hall was not maintained and eventually Wakefield MDC advertised it for sale. Following public meetings, Horbury Heritage Trust was asked to prevent the sale and get the hall back for community use. The Trust received the support of the Charity Commission and in November 2003 the Commission ordered that the scheme be transferred by Wakefield MDC to Horbury Heritage Trust Ltd.  It took WMDC until October 2004 to transfer the Title.
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In November 2004 the trustees submitted an application for funding to “Big Lottery”. The application was rejected in January 2005.

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In September 2006 the trustees submitted an application for funding to WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd) and were awarded £49,785. A new roof and an internal suspended ceiling in the main hall, together with new electrics were installed.
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In 2008 the Trustees submitted a new bid to “Big Lottery”, which was successful and the Trust was awarded £141,725. The result is what you see today – a much used community hall maintained to a high standard.
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The Trust received local support from local groups and societies, including Horbury Common Lands Trust, Horbury & Ossett Phoenix Rotary, Horbury & District Historical Society, LloydsTSB, and Community Chest. Many individual donations were received towards the project and more than £3000 was raised from chair sponsorship.
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Today, Horbury Heritage Trust has a membership of more than three hundred life members.
Primrose Hall has a footfall of almost 20,000 people per year.
The trustees offer a variety of activities and provide an excellent venue for events, entertainment and dancing.
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Thank you to everyone for having faith in the group and giving your support.