Early in the 19th century Marsden was notorious as a centre of the Luddite uprisings, but that all changed by the middle of the century as the textile industry grew to a world-leading level. A new spirit of self-help grew and led to formation of Marsden Mechanics to provide betterment for the workers. Funds were raised by public subscription in 1860 to build the Mechanics Institute as its headquarters and a seat of learning and social gathering – traditions that remain embodied in its role to the present day.
Taken into the care of Marsden Town Council in 1911, it hosted many major events and movements such as the Suffragettes and continued as the principal venue for dances and concerts into the middle of the 20th century.
A NEW ERA
The building’s ride through the 20th century was a rocky one.
The decline of the textile industry in Britain as a whole ushered in a period of hardship in the Colne Valley but this was met again by the stoic determination of its people. Sadly its condition gradually deteriorated until the Colne Valley Urban District Council closed the doors in 1967. The new Kirklees Metropolitan Council inherited the building in 1974 Stewardship of the Mechanics by local authorities had faltered and the building’s future was severely threatened but a campaign by local people succeeded in getting the building listed and demonstrated a need and desire for its retention.
Marsden Community Association was formed in 1978 and pressed Kirklees into carrying out a major refurbishment in 1991.
For the next quarter century usage of the restored building thrived under the auspices of a Management Association comprising local people, Council officers and elected members. In practice the Council ran the Public Library in part of the ground floor whilst the community itself managed all of the remaining space under a lease from Kirklees. The Mechanics has become a buzzing hub of community life, also hosting significant national events such as Marsden Jazz Festival, and popular wedding venue etc
In 2014 Kirklees Council invited the community to consider ‘asset transfer’, which would involve taking full ownership of the building and accepting responsibility for its upkeep. There were obvious risks involved in such a proposition but these had to be weighed against the probable loss of this indispensable asset if the community did not step in. Marsden Community Trust was set up with the necessary legal structure to do this and the building finally returned to its origins in local community ownership.
That changed fundamentally on 31.3.2017 with the ‘asset transfer’ of the whole building back to the local people.
The Future
The first phase of refurbishment and alteration, achieved with a Leader Grant and Key Fund Grant and Loan, created new spaces for the Library, Mikron Theatre Company and Marsden Jazz Festival. New signage was commissioned to encourage locals and visitors to recognise the shift away from municipal complexion to a more community focussed presence at the heart of the village.Â
This work was featured on national TV with the BBC programme A Matter of Life and Debt and showed how much the users value and appreciate the building.
During 2020, the staff and trustees worked hard to raise funds to make other improvements to the building. During this time, we were able to refurbish our lift, and some of the internal paintworks were improved.
Trustees and staff continue to raise funds for improvements, and in 2022 we received Lottery Funding, which covered urgently required repairs to woodwork, including our iconic clock tower, and better weatherproofing.
More ambitious ideas, such as an extension for greater capacity, await their turn in the queue.
