History Out Loud

History Out Loud is pleased to welcome back local historian, David Glover, for a day at the races...

Welcome back to History Out Loud, dear listeners! In this episode we are once again joined by historian and local history enthusiast, Marlene Oliveira, to talk about 19th century funeral practices, with the help of the Listers of Shibden Hall.

In our first episode of 2026, History Out Loud takes look back at some 'side characters' - unsung heroes from previous episodes. A round of applause, please, for: Thomas Normington, Annie Oakley, Sarah Fielden and Catherine Hogarth (Dickens).

History Out Loud invites you to a festive episode of the podcast where we chat with writer, Paul Weatherhead, about his new book 'Phantoms of Christmas Past'.  Ghost hoaxes, ghost hunts and ghost panics were once common and widespread at this time of year, but why? Join us for this seasonal bumper episode and find out... *Part 1 of two episodes.

PART 2 History Out Loud invites you to a festive episode of the podcast where we chat with writer, Paul Weatherhead, about his new book 'Phantoms of Christmas Past'.  Ghost hoaxes, ghost hunts and ghost panics were once common and widespread at this time of year, but why? Join us for this seasonal bumper episode and find out... *Part 2 of two episodes.

The Trans-Atlantic Duo (Sarah and Gill) invite you to get on board the The Calder Valley Train Experience. Discover the history of public and private railways in the Calder Valley. How does it compare to now? Bring sandwiches, an umbrella and travel insurance - it's a long ride and we can't guarantee you'll get there safely...

The 9th of September, 2025, marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of Wainhouse Tower; but who built it and why? History Out Loud regulars, Sarah and Gill, get together to discuss the facts, the fiction and the scurrilous gossip surrounding Halifax's most iconic landmark...

And now for something a bit different... In this episode, History Out Loud has a chat with illustrator and author, Chris Mould, about his life growing up in West Yorkshire and the characters he has brought to life in books such as The Iron Man, Animal Farm and the graphic novel, War of the Worlds. Chris currently has an exhibition of his work at Bankfield Museum, Halifax, running until the 30th of...

In this episode, history enthusiast, Marlene Oliveira and History Out Loud's Gill put on their crampons and follow in the footsteps of famous diarist, Anne Lister, as she climbs Mont Perdu and The Vignemale, in the Pyrenees. Unfortunately Gill did fall into a few pronunciation crevices, but she manged to make it to the top in once piece.

In this episode History Out Loud's Sarah takes over the presenter seat :) for a chat with Rob Kilner, from Calderdale Markets, about the history of market trading in Halifax. This episode dovetails with the Halifax Borough Market 'Streets in the Sky' event, taking place in Central Library and Archives on the 12th of February. Though this event is fully booked, do drop in to the Local S...

In this 'Christmas Special' episode, Sarah and Gill take a not too serious look back at some local Christmas news stories...

"A landscape is never properly settled until it is named and given stories". Welcome back listeners for a bumper episode in which returning guest, John Billingsley, and Gill take a long ramble over the epic topic of Moorland...

Author, Paul Weatherhead, makes a welcome return to the podcast. In this episode he sheds light on the historical legends, ghouls, hoaxes and headless phantoms that have beset the Calder Valley, and now haunt the pages of his popular book, ' Weird Calderdale '...

In this episode we chat with Sarah Browning, a member of the Friends of Christ Church Todmorden community group, about the history of Christ Church and their valiant work in uncovering and preserving forgotten graves. Brambles, knot-weed, grave robbers and a trick cyclist are up for discussion...

Thornton village, the birthplace of the Brontës, is often overlooked with regard to its cultural and historical significance. In this episode, we chat to local historian, Steve Stanworth, about how the family came to be living in Thornton, and the Brontë Birthplace Campaign's mission to preserve and celebrate this important part of history. https://brontebirthplace.com/

It's 2024 and Sarah and Gill are back with another episode! Join them as they explore the curious history of The Running Man of Halifax, and the infamous Halifax Gibbet... (Note: we will be discussing execution by decapitation)

In 1858, Charles Dickens came to Halifax to read his popular novella, ‘A Christmas Carol’. Join local historian, David Glover, and History Out Loud’s Gill, as they bring this incredible event to life. This isn’t Dickens' only connection to the town, however, and David has been researching another little-known connection…

Join regular guest, Sarah, and History Out Loud's Gill, for a true tale of bottle throwing, mud-slinging and bum notes at a 'friendly' brass band competition gone wrong.

Weird Calderdale author, Paul Weatherhead, returns to History Out Loud to unravel the story Tom Bell - outlaw and thief, and detail the various explorations and discoveries inside the labyrinthine 'Tom Bell' caves under Hebden Bridge...

Join local historian and writer, John Billingsley, and History Out Loud's Gill Carpenter for part two of this true tale of greed, duplicity, sorcery and buried riches in 16th century Yorkshire...

Join local historian and writer, John Billingsley, and History Out Loud's Gill Carpenter for a true tale of greed, duplicity, sorcery and buried riches in 16th century Yorkshire... PART 2 out next week ;)

To celebrate Anne Lister's birthday we have a very special episode recorded with author and historian, Jill Liddington. Jill is the author of 'Female Fortune: the Anne Lister Diaries, 1833 - 36', and has a brand new book out - 'As Good as a Marriage: the Anne Lister Diaries, 1836 - 38' which explores, interprets and opens up the life Anne Lister shared with Ann Walker during th...

"I went to gaol a rebel, but I have come out a regular terror". Just one of many unforgettable quotes from suffragette and house-builder, Laura Annie Willson.  In this episode we are joined by local historian, Anne Kirker, to discuss the life and times of this dynamic and inspiring woman.

In our first episode of 2023, Sarah and Gill discuss the life and work of  Henry Blackburn, Todmorden's long-suffering Nuisance Inspector. But what exactly did his job entail? Sarah has been delving into the library archives and has all the answers... * If you'd like to find out about Halifax's first Sanitary Inspector, there will be a fascinating display at Halifax Centra...

Who was Buffalo Bill and how did he end up in Halifax? Saddle up and join Gill and Sarah for a galloping, bullwhacking, sharpshooting ride through the life and times of one of the most famous showmen of the 19th century...