It has been announced that BBC1 will be showing a drama based on the life of Anne Lister and her time at Shibden Hall near Halifax.

The show called Gentleman Jack starts on Sunday 19th May 2019 at 9:00pm for 6 episodes on BBC1

“Anne Lister (1791–1840) was a wealthy, unmarried woman who inherited Shibden Hall in West Yorkshire from her uncle in 1826.

Throughout her life, she kept diaries which chronicled the details of her everyday life, including her lesbian relationships, her financial concerns, her industrial activities and her work improving Shibden Hall.

The diaries contain more than 4,000,000 words and about a sixth of them (those concerning the intimate details of her romantic and sexual relationships) were written in code.  The code, derived from a combination of algebra and Ancient Greek, was deciphered in the 1930s.” (Source Wikepedia)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uBYRcP44M4&w=560&h=315]

Set in the picturesque Shibden valley, a mile from Halifax, Shibden Hall dates back to 1420 and offers visitors a fascinating journey through the lives of the people who lived and worked there.

Shibden Hall’s architecture is a mix of styles reflecting its interesting and varied history. The adjacent 17^th century aisled barn and workshops house a carriage collection and displays relating to different crafts, including a blacksmiths, coopers, wheelwrights and saddlers. Shibden even has a recreated brewhouse and inn.

The Hall is surrounded by the beautifully restored gardens and estate that forms Shibden Park. There are a range of features and attractions, including a cafe and visitor facilities, miniature railway, boating lake, pitch & putt course as well as trails, play area, orienteering course and woodland in which to roam.

More info available at the Shibden Hall Website

In a spot of good timing the YUU Summer Gathering is taking place on 22nd June 2019 at Pepper Hill Unitarians and one of the highlights of the day is a trip to the afore mentioned Shibden Hall.

So if you fancy a wander round a film set why not come and join us?