Wakefield was an important market town in the Middle Ages, as well as an
inland port on the River Calder. It prospered through trade and industry
in textiles, coal mining, tanning and grain, becoming the county town of
West Yorkshire in the Industrial Revolution and its parish church
achieving cathedral status in 1888. The Victorian era left a legacy of
grand civic buildings in the city, and it is still the administrative
centre for many services in West Yorkshire. Manufacturing continues to
be strong in Wakefield, although the coal mines have closed and some
heavy industry moved away, but the city has also regenerated itself in
recent decades, not least by its waterfront and celebrating its cultural
heritage by opening the Hepworth Wakefield museum in honour of the
famous artist Barbara Hepworth, who was born and brought up in
Wakefield. Celebrating Wakefield chronicles the proud heritage of
Wakefield, its important moments and what draws so many to this dynamic
city today. Illustrated throughout, this fascinating book offers a
marvellous and refreshingly positive insight into Wakefield's rich
heritage, its special events and important moments. This book will be a
valuable contribution to the history of the city and provide a source of
many memories to those who have known it well over the years.
