Music, literature and the arts

The following source list was originally available only on paper in one of the West Yorkshire Archive Service offices. It may have been compiled many years ago and could be out of date. It was designed to act as a signpost to records of interest on a particular historical subject, but may relate only to one West Yorkshire district, or be an incomplete list of sources available.

N.B. Many Nonconformist chapels have among their records hymn sheets and service programmes: these have not been listed separately in the following list. For information on Nonconformist chapels see our main index.

Abou Ben Adhem (pseudonym), pamphlet "In Darkest Huddersfield and One Way Out of It, or Why Have We No Public Library" c.1891 KC174/3/15

Aileen Armitage, author, Huddersfield, manuscript copies of novels published in England and America 1970-1996 under own name and pen-names Aileen Quigley, Erica Lindley and Ruth Fabian KC53 & KC254, KC367, KC369, KC505, KC666, KC691 and KC806

Association of Yorkshire Bookmen, Spenborough branch, records 1946-1981 including minutes 1946-1981 KC115

Kenneth Barden, Huddersfield, sketches 1970 DD/BA

Batley Arts Discussion Group, minutes 1949-1957 KC143

Batley Borough, Public Library Committee, minutes 1906-1947; Parks, Museum and Cemetery Committee, minutes 1935-1947; Public Library and Museum Committee, minutes 1947-1969; Town Hall Committee, minutes 1900-1908 BB/M

Batley Carr, dialect poem re monster plum pudding made and distributed KC763/16 1887

Batley Carr Congregational Church, programmes of plays and pantomimes 1946-1958, and photographs of concerts and plays c.1900-1950s; also verse play for children by G Scott Archer n.d. KC814/5/4, 5/6, 7/1, 8/3 and 9/4

Beaumont family of Whitley, estate and family papers 12-20 cent including letter re pictures of the Five Senses and Reason and plan for hanging them 1754; letter re miniature paintings 1893; letter re material for a book on military affairs now at printers c.1700; letter re sending paintings from Whitley to London 1871; notes re William Beaumont, artist (1673-1716) compiled 1980s; Susanna Beaumont, nee Horton, account book 1703-1714 including details re entertainments during visit to London; ballad to tune of "The Ladies Fall" n.d.; notes re old dance steps n.d.; verses and notes on various subjects n.d. including art, voluptuousness, drink, husbandry, Oliver Cromwell; photographs of paintings once at Whitley Hall DD/WBC/256, 292, 348, 396; WBG/134; WBH/71; WBM/19-20, 25, 107, 109, 118, 121-124, 140-144, 146-149

Berry Brow Wesleyan Methodist Church, Choir Committee, minutes 1934-1971 KC653/1/3/1

Charlotte Bronte, letter (unsigned and incomplete) to Ellen Nussey of Birstall 1847, mentions Branwell Bronte and Rev A B Nicholls KC133

C J Brook, poem "The Birth of Imperial Federation", printed in Meltham 1900 KC174/5/102

Joe Carruthers, photographer, Birkby, photographic portraits c.1960-1980 KC425

Clayton West Primitive Methodist Circuit, hymnal supplement n.d. NM/DD/CW/1/9/4

Cleckheaton Christian Brethren, Temperance Brass Band, minutes 1886-1899 KC131

Cleckheaton Philharmonic Society, minutes 1881-1908 KC130

Frances Mary Hefford Cocking, pianist and composer, Kirkheaton and Huddersfield, records 1899-1952 comprising notebook 1899-1947, scrapbook 1903-1952, scores of musical compositions 1901-1952, photographs 20 cent KC508

Dalton St Paul's Methodist Church, booklet re inauguration of new organ 1986 KC295/38

Sidney R Day, "A short architectural description of Linthwaite Old Hall" 1907 KC221

William Dearden, poet, correspondence received 1837-1858 including letter from Rev A B Nicholl (husband of Charlotte Bronte) 1857 DD/DW

Dewsbury and District Music Society, concert programmes 1950-1954 KC625

Dewsbury County Borough, Library Committee, minutes 1889-1968; Museums Committee, minutes 1892-1896; Town Hall and Corporate Property Committee, minutes 1890-1968; Corporate Property and Libraries Committee, minutes 1868-1974 CB/D

Dewsbury County Borough, Town Clerk's file 2024 re purchase of grand piano for Town Hall 1938 KA84

Dewsbury Playhouse Cinema, souvenir programme for opening ceremony 1931 KC763/20

Dewsbury Theatre Royal, records 1869-1932 comprising theatre bills 1869-1871, wages book 1928-1932 B/DTR

Eddison, Taylor and Booth, estate agents, Huddersfield, sale catalogues of paintings and books 1886-1919 B/ETB/sc/4, 11, 40-41, 43, 48, 58, 67-68, 81, 84, 86, 135

Emley Bethel Wesleyan Reform Church Choir, minutes 1904-1917, 1939; correspondence re new organ 1923; also information re plays held at church in Tea Party minutes 1933-1950 KC803/1/3, 1/6 and 5/3

Emley Primitive Methodist Church, correspondence re new organ 1940-1943 NM/DD/CW/12/4/1

Fenton Ladies Choir, Lockwood, correspondence and papers 1927-1982 compiled by Jack Durrans, conductor KC33

First World War, "Memories" (words of songs), published c.1926 KC501/15

Gledholt Wesleyan Methodist Church, cash book including organ fund 1891; duties of choir master and organist 1903 and 1950 KC808/2/6/3; KC443/1/1/1

Golcar Baptist Church, specifications for new organ 1869 (photocopy) KX203/2

Golcar Wellhouse Methodist New Connexion Church, Choir Committee, minutes 1905-1960; also advertisements for choir master and organist 1924 KC23/10 and 14

Gomersal West Lane Wesleyan Methodist Church, book of psalms and canticles 1888 KC273/24

Grange Moor Wesleyan Methodist Church, Sunday School, choir attendance register n.d.; hymns, ballads and songs 1920s; also correspondence re organ 1989 KC349/1/22 and 3/3; KC460/4

Heckmondwike Book Club, financial records 1947-1963 KC432

Heeley collection of materials relating to the history of Huddersfield c.1795-1921 including broadsheet with poems re slavery c.1807, broadsheet with poems 1839, printed hymn sheets n.d. KC43

Hillhouse United Methodist Free Church, bill for music bought at Joshua Marshall and Co Ltd, music emporium, Huddersfield 1906 KC745

Holme Valley, "The Voice of the Valley" (celebration for Coronation), programme 1953 KC501/24

Holmfirth District Choral Society, concert programmes 1900-1908, Holmfirth and District Musical Society, concert programmes 1920-1924, Holmfirth Feast Sunday Musical Festival, programme 1931 KC629/23

Holmfirth Feast Sing and Musical Festival, records 1882-1985 including Feast Sing Committee minutes 1899-1975, programmes 1882-1985, Musical Festival programmes 1946-1983 KC201

Holmfirth Nonconformist Whitsuntide Festival, minutes 1903-1921, hymn sheets 1903-1951 KC629/4

Holmfirth Wesleyan Methodist Church, Ladies' Effort, programme for entertainment "Tree of Memories" 1950 KC629/10/6

Holmfirth Wesleyan Methodist Circuit, Centenary Celebration Souvenir with hymns and tunes 1910 KC613/10/1

Honley Moorbottom Congregational Church, specification for new organ 1936 Ni/HM/21

Honley Woodroyd Methodist New Connexion Church, Choir Committee, minutes 1896-1897, accounts for choir trips 1897 and 1903; also papers re organ 1850-c.1914; leaflet re bazaar including "art gallery and museum of curiosities" 1897; concert programme 1957 KC14/5, 22, 24, 41, 43, 48, 63, 69

Huddersfield, satirical poem re Volunteers entitled "The Alarm" 19 cent KC585

Huddersfield, music to be sung at celebration of Sunday School Centenary in Greenhead Park 1880 KC174/5/77

Huddersfield district, Nonconformist churches and Sunday Schools, hymn sheets 1903-1970 NM/HSC/XXXVI/1 and KC542

Huddersfield and District Sunday School Anniversary Music Combine, circular letter 1971 KC486/7/3

Huddersfield and District United Baptist Choir, records 1953-1961 including minutes 1953-1961 KC722

Huddersfield Arts Council, files 1968-1986 including minutes, accounts, and correspondence KC575

Huddersfield, Beaumont Park Museum Scheme, reports 1882-1883 KC174/5/83

Huddersfield Choral Society, records 1832-2000 including minutes 1842-1993, rules 1842-1996, annual reports 1836-1999, membership records 1891-1995, programmes 1832-2000, autograph books 1917-1954, scrapbooks with newspaper cuttings 1887-1990, photographs 1876-2000 KC200

Huddersfield County Borough, Public Meetings Committee, minutes 1882-1906; Queen's Diamond Jubilee Committee (became Jubilee Public Library and Art Gallery Committee), minutes 1897-1898; Public Library and Art Gallery Committee, minutes 1897-1952; Ravensknowle Museum Committee, minutes 1920-1952; Concerts Sub-Committee, minutes 1935-1958; Arts Committee, minutes 1952-1969; Amenities Committee, minutes 1969-1974 CBH

Huddersfield County Borough, Huddersfield Central Library, designs for murals in Music Department 1984 KA15 and KA28

Huddersfield County Borough, United Thanksgiving Service in Town Hall for Coronation of George V 1911 KC389/5

Huddersfield County Borough, Youth Committee, Summer Entertainments, programme for combined band performance 1957 KC285/3

Huddersfield Dramatic Society, handbill re a "Bal Masque" held by the Society 1854 KC408

Huddersfield Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition, programme for opening ceremony 1883 KC174/5/86

Huddersfield Free Libraries Committee, minutes 1880-1887 S/HFL

Huddersfield Glee and Madrigal Society, records 1835-1985 including minutes 1835-1982, financial reports and balance sheets 1893-1981, register of attendance 1954-1968, programmes and publicity materials 1886-1985, newspaper cuttings 1888-1969, correspondence 1906-1981 S/HGM

Huddersfield Highfield Independent Church, Organ and Choir Committee, minutes 1852-1903, correspondence and programmes 1849-1902; also collection of original tunes compiled by A Dean, organist, 1883 Ni/Hi/3c/1-2 (see also 3d/1); and 12/15

Huddersfield Highfield Independent Church, scrapbook 1817-1972 including service programmes, hymn sheets, programmes for music evenings, Highfield Book Society rules and library catalogue, and Highfield Sunday School Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition programme Ni/Hi/12/1 (see also KC174/5/82)

Huddersfield Highfield Independent Church, Highfield Players, programmes, photographs, and press cuttings 1931-1938 Ni/Hi/12/6

Huddersfield and Holmfirth, Concert programmes for Choirs and Brass Bands 1961-1975 KC873

Huddersfield Improvement Commissioners, Town Hall Committee, minutes 1851-1853 CBHIC

Huddersfield Mechanics Institution, catalogue of the library 1869 KC174/5/58

Huddersfield Methodist Choir, minutes 1973-1983 KC808/3/1/1

Huddersfield Military Band, minutes 1932-1937 S/HMB

Huddersfield Organists Association, records 1903-1991 including minutes 1903-1989, rules 1906-1979, programmes 1927-1991 KC561

Huddersfield, Palace Theatre, programmes 1955 KC285/4

Huddersfield Parish Church, hymn sheet for commemoration service for Queen Victoria's 80th birthday 1899 DD/RE/348

Huddersfield Peace Celebration, order of service for thanksgiving in Greenhead Park 1919 KC808/1/10/6

Huddersfield Philosophical Hall, catalogue of exhibition of paintings, curiosities, models, machinery, philosophical apparatus and specimens of nature and art 1840 KC174/5/31, 5/116

Huddersfield Queen Street Wesleyan Methodist Church, correspondence re choir outing 1906; concert programme for choir from USA 1973; plans for converting church into theatre 1991 NM/QSM/32, 43-44

Huddersfield Springfield Book Society, minutes 1849-1850 KC297

Huddersfield Subscription Library, list of members 1807, letters and newscuttings re Library 1874-1875 KC174/1/15, 4/7

Huddersfield Technical School, catalogue of the library, part 1 (fiction) 1890, part 2 (science, art, and literature) 1887 KC174/5/79, 5/97

Huddersfield Theatre Royal, records 1901-1936 including financial records 1901-1935, minutes 1924-1929, memoranda re advertising 1930-1936, album 1923-1924 B/HTR and KC64

Huddersfield Thespians, records 1920-1946 comprising minutes 1920-1924, theatre bills, programmes and cuttings 1920-1946 S/HT

Huddersfield Town Hall, Grand Musical Festival, reports reprinted from "Huddersfield Examiner" 1881 KC174/5/78

Huddersfield Unitarian Church, Sunday School, library catalogues n.d. NU/H/12-13

Huddersfield Vocal Union, records 1914-1978 including minutes 1928-1978 S/HVU

Huddersfield, 6th West Riding Rifle Volunteers, hymn sheet for drum-head service 1871 KC174/5/63

Ebenezer Hunt, "The Rush Bearing: A poem; with a probable account of the Rise of Wakes", printed in Huddersfield 1784 KC174/4/2

Thomas Ingoldsby junior, "The Discomfited Chief: A Lay of the Last Election in three Fyttes" (satirical poem re Parliamentary election), printed in Huddersfield 1859 KC174/4/14

Jacob Jobbernoll (pseudonym of William Turner of Hopton), literary works 1805-1824 including autobiographical sketch c.1824; "Treason by Wholesale", satirical dialogue in dialect expressing Radical opinions 1817; and "The Yeomanriad", a long satirical poem about the Huddersfield Yeomanry c.1820 KC551

A W Kaye, musician, Huddersfield, letters and press cuttings 1943-1945 DD/AWK

Kirkburton Dogley Lane Congregational Church, Sunday School, library books borrowed 1889-1911 KC13/11

Kirkburton Wesleyan Methodist Church, programme for entertainment on reopening of organ 1893 KC472/6/1

Kirkheaton Parish Church, faculty re rebuilding organ 1956 E/Kh/pr/6/2/13

Kirklees Art Action Group, records 1979-1983 including minutes and correspondence KC58

Kirklees Arts Council, records 1972-1989 including minutes 1973-1987, correspondence 1973-1989, records of competitions 1975-1981, lists of members 1978-1986, papers re 80th birthday dinner for Phyllis Bentley 1974, papers re proposed Ethnic Arts Conference 1983-1984 KC59, KC88 and KC599

Kirklees Poetry Society, records 1981-1989 including minutes 1985-1989 KC800

Lindley Amateur Operatic Society, records 1910-1931 including minutes 1910-1924, correspondence 1922-1931 KC195

Lindley East Street Wesleyan Methodist Church, choir register 1934-1947 KC83/33

Lindley Zion Methodist New Connexion Church, Sunday School Hymn Committee, minutes 1879 KC84/11

Linthwaite Musical Festival Society, Sick and Aid Committee minutes 1923-1949 including list of cases assisted 1923-1925 KC674

Lockwood Bentley Street United Methodist Free Church, Sunday School, Industrial Exhibition and Musical and Vocal Competition, programme 1894; also programmes re opening of new organ in church 1898 and 1926; choir rules 1899 KC808/2/14/4-5; KC784/6/1 and 6/3

Lockwood Musical Festival, programme 1905 KC784/6/2

Longwood Wesleyan Methodist Church, Choir Committee, minutes 1906-1933 NM/L/10-11

Marsden Congregational Church, Organ Committee, minutes and subscriptions 1879; organ accounts 1856; hymnals n.d. Ni/Ma/2/3/1, 5/12 and 11/18

Marsden Wesleyan Methodist Church Choir, minutes 1908-1915, cash books 1904-1961; also papers re new organ in church 1919 N/WM/M/10, 18-19, 35

Marsden Wesleyan Methodist Church, Sunday School, Wesleyan Guild, Social and Musical Department, minutes 1908-1954 N/WM/M/25

George Marsden of Marsden and family, records 1808-1947 including cuttings books, poems, letters, illustrations, hymn sheets KC391

Richard Mellor, "Incidents in the life of a veteran organist with recollections of local musical celebrities", 1874 KC14/73

Meltham Wesleyan Methodist Church, Choir Committee, minutes 1906-1972 including choir rules 1906; Organ Renovation Committee, minutes 1926-1927; papers re organ and organist and choirmaster 1895-1972; correspondence with Performing Rights Society 1934-1951; Holme Valley and Meltham Drama Festival, certificates 1961-1962; list of singers from Meltham churches n.d. KC613/2/6/1-4, 2/8/1, 5/3/1-5, 5/7/2, 5/9/1-3, 5/12/2, 9/1, 19/1-5 KC837/1/1/1, 1/2/1

"The Methodist", anonymous poem in 14 cantos re life of John Wesley 1780 KC828/1/1

Mirfield, programme for a selection of music to be performed at Castle Hall 1829 KC174/5/18

S L Mosley, artist, ornithologist and museum curator, Huddersfield, sketches and illustrated notebooks 1890s KC89

Mrs. Sunderland Competition, Huddersfield, records 1833-2001 KC1070

Netherton Methodist Carol Singers, souvenir booklet re their activities 1862-1972 KC808/2/28/6

Paddock, catalogue of fine art and industrial exhibition 1871 KC174/5/61

Paddock Methodist New Connexion Church Choir, minutes 1918-1936; also papers re new organ in church 1913 NM/UP/P/2/5/1 and 6/1/1

Paddock Wesleyan Methodist Church Choir, minutes 1928-1945 N/WM/P/2/1/1

Peace Brothers, music publishers, Ravensthorpe, sacred song services n.d. NM/DD/CW/29/1/5

Penistone Wesleyan Methodist Church Choir, minutes 1926-1938 KC633/3/6

John William Pickersgill, Marsden, poetry "Lays of my Youth" 1857 KC174/5/51

Albert Pile, sketchbook of buildings in the Huddersfield area 1946-1954 DD/P

Primrose Hill Methodist New Connexion Church, specifications for new organ 1891 and records re organ fund 1890s; rules for organist and choirmaster n.d.; Choir minutes 1923-1979 NM/HSC/XXXII/6 and 8; KC320/5, 10

Ramsden family of Byram and Longley, estate and family records 12-20 cent including commonplace book 16-17 cent containing song "Morenyng my hart doithe sore opress"; letters re patronage of Theatre Royal and Choral Society, Huddersfield 1859; letter re Sir John William Ramsden and his wife becoming life members of Huddersfield Art Society 1892; file re family history including various poems 19 cent; circular re proposed Concert Hall for Huddersfield 1873; sale brochure for sale of Greenhead 1852 including paintings and books; agreements re leases of land in Huddersfield for circuses 1880, 1886; plans for proposed Town Hall in St George's Square, Huddersfield 1853 D/R/dd/V/30; DD/RA/C/28/4, 34/4; DD/RA/F/20; DD/RE/29, 82, 115/90, 116/117; DD/RE/plans no 12

Frank Roebuck, organist, Moldgreen Congregational Church, anthems c.1900-1910 KC839

Sheepridge Wiggan Lane Wesleyan Methodist Church, choir trip accounts 1937; programme for dedication of new organ 1922 KC577/2/2, 6/1

Shelley Methodist New Connexion Church, photograph of cast of play 1920s; leaflet re songs and plays for children to perform n.d. KC307/7/26; KC533/5

Shelley Musical Festival, programme 1947 KC542

Skelmanthorpe Feast Sing and Musical Festival, programmes 1906-1972 NM/DD/CW/29/1/3 and KC461

Skelmanthorpe Primitive Methodist Church, advertisement for musical concerts 1919; correspondence re Grimethorpe Boys Band 1950-1951 NM/DD/CW/23/6/4 and 23/12/2

Skelmanthorpe Urban District Council, programme of art and science exhibition 1919 KC43/27

Slaithwaite Annual Sing, Bottoms Wood, Lingards, programme 1908 KC294/7/11

Slaithwaite Carr Lane United Methodist Free Church, hymnal 1907, notices re Operatic Society 1960s KC294/7/6, 7/10

Slaithwaite Musical Festival, programme 1905 KC294/7/9

Soothill Congregational Church, papers re organ 1898-1980; programmes re services and concerts 1899-1990 KC621/4/2, 4/4, 4/6; 6/3 and 7/1

Spenborough and District Music Society, accounts and balance sheets 1947-1957 KC250

Noel Spencer, artist, Huddersfield, sketches 1935-1956 KC592/1/3

Noel Spencer, artist, Huddersfield, sketches (mostly copies from the "Huddersfield Examiner") 1942-1957 KX334

Spen Valley Literary and Scientific Society, records 1872-1991 including minutes 1906-1991, cashbook 1914-1934, catalogue of library 1915, press cuttings on various subjects 1906-1928, programme cards 1949-1991, annual reports 1946-1991 S/SLS and KC576

Mrs. Sunderland Competition, records 1833-2002, including minutes, financial papers, syllabuses, programmes, contestants, publicity, histories, photographs, correspondence, and memorabilia. Also some personal material relating to the “Yorkshire Queen of Song”, with presentations, centenary celebrations etc. KC1070

Sykes family, Huddersfield, artists, papers c.1880-1991 including papers re family histories of Peace, George and Eleanor Sykes KC520

Charles Vernon Sykes, actor, Holmfirth, typescripts of plays and musicals c.1930s KC649

Taylor Hill Primitive Methodist Church Choir, minutes 1931-1934 NM/HSC/V/15

Harold Flower Thomas, pianist and composer, Huddersfield, musical compositions 1950s-1960s including "I heard a bird at dawn", "Spring Elegy", "Gather ye rosebuds", "The Ballad of Semmerwater", "At the mid hour of night", "Three Fishes"; the items belonged to Mabel Whiteley, singing teacher, Huddersfield KC685

George Thomson, businessman and politician, Huddersfield, papers 1883-1921 including correspondence received 1883-1917, press cuttings, pamphlets, and notes re the co-operative movement, profit sharing, and theories of Ruskin DD/GT

Thornhill Lees Independent Methodist Church, plan of organ by Albert Keates of Sheffield n.d. KC252/8/1

John Thomas Thwaites, Huddersfield, musician in Regiment of Infantry, records (photocopies) 1886-1893 KX286

Peter Tolson, various historical and general notes 1803-1808 including poems by Thomas Campbell, Robert Burns, Mr Collins and others DD/TO/27, 31, 34-37, 39, 57

Tolson Museum, family, estate and personal papers 1635-1956 including letter from Mrs Sunderland re farewell appearance in Huddersfield 1864; correspondence to G D Tomlinson, artist and president of Huddersfield Mechanics Institute 1846-1881 KC312

G W Tomlinson, antiquarian, Huddersfield, papers relating to local history and genealogy collected 19 cent, including article re books and pamphlets printed in Huddersfield 1778-1848, books "Engraved Portraits Co Ebor" with biographical details re Yorkshire people and information re portraits made of them 1870-1875, posters re entertainments and handbills containing poetry and dialogues (mainly satirical) 19 cent KC174/1/1, 3/3-4; posters 199-200, 202-3, 206, 211-13, 219, 221 KC682/7-8, 16

John Turner, Huddersfield, catalogue of books belonging to him 1758 KC275/2

John Waddington, Parkgate, Armitage Bridge, notebooks (photocopies) 1833-1858 including poems and hymns KX362

J White, poem re opening of Beaumont Park, Huddersfield 1883 KC174/5/89