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The new (opposed to the old now demolished) St. Matthew's Church, Lightcliffe will be 150 years old in September 2025. Various events are organised, here is the spring schedule.

Yesterday volunteers worked on the #GentlemanJack grave plots in readiness for Sat & Sun 5th & 6th April when the tower will be open from 10:30 to 12:30. The ledger stones to Rev. Robert Wilkinson's daughters got a much needed trim.

The wonder of water! Yesterday a wilting bunch of tulips was found on the new #AnnWalker ledger stone. It was placed in one of the flower holders - by the tower door for just such a purpose. Overnight rain filled the holder and the tulips said 'thank you'.

Nearby places to eat if you are coming to the Tower openings, an #AnneLister Festival event, on Sat or Sun 5th & 6th April. Lightcliffe Tea Rooms near Lydgate House open 10:00, Mrs B's Sandwich & Coffee Bar open 08:00 and The Sun Inn open 12 noon.

The locations of the grave plots of some of the real #GentlemanJack characters are marked on the map which is currently also on the tower door. The ledger stones can also be spotted using the white topped canes placed next to them.

Gorgeous weather for the Tower openings and tours of the churchyard this weekend. Thanks to our visitors for coming and donating.

This weekend's floral offerings for #AnnWalker and her aunts looking good in this morning's sunshine.

Hannah Denison (1800 - 1884) is remembered in the churchyard & in a cemetery in Tallmadge, Ohio. Find out why at Hannah Denison formerly Marsden nee Sinclair part 1.pdf Hannah Denison formerly Marsden nee Sinclair part 2.pdf

In 1850 Lightcliffe born George Ripley and family along with a Holdsworth family sailed from Liverpool to New York on a ship similar to this. Read the extraordinary letter John Holdsworth sent detailing the voyage at From Liverpool to New York in 1850.pdf

Under tall trees in a secluded spot in the churchyard lies a surviving WW1 soldier who then worked as a gardener at Sunny Vale Gardens aka Sunny Bunces. Read his story at Three burials and two sad stories.pdf

Headlines like these appeared in newspapers across the country in September 1921. Read about the railway tragedy and the secret burial that followed in the churchyard at The 1921 Lightcliffe railway mystery.pdf

Where the wild garlic grows. In the churchyard for you to enjoy when you walk through are bluebells, whitebells and primroses as well as the wild garlic. But please keep your dog on a lead and pick up after it - thank you.

Forgot to mention the forget-me-nots and the red campion as well as the bluebells, whitebells, primroses and wild white garlic in the churchyard. And yes we do have dandelions!

Lightcliffe House now demolished was once owned by #AnnWalker. It had a interesting history from possibly housing the Moravian community to being a hostel with sports fields for the Firth carpet manufacturers. Read The History of Lightcliffe House.pdf

The Elliot plot between the headstone and cross has no memorial, a pity as one of the occupants was a stone carver responsible with his brother for refurbishing Whitehall Wesleyan Chapel (Christ Church LEP). Read more in The Elliot family.pdf

A reminder that Lightcliffe Tower, home to #AnnWalker's brass plaque, will be open on Sunday 18th May 2 - 4 pm. Her new ledgerstone and the grave plots of other real #GentlemanJack characters can be seen in this section of the churchyard too.

Met the Calderdale Countryside officer by the Lightcliffe tower on Friday 23rd May at 8:30pm - the tower door will be open from 8 pm - for a short talk about bats before using bat detectors to help spot them. No charge, no dogs, children must be accompanied.

After this Pohlmann-Douglas wedding in Halifax town, the four Canadians, all- along with the groom- holders of the DFM, in the image and then the chaplain all lost their lives. Read this 'Halifax' linked story at The loss of a Halifax bomber in 1944.pdf

Halifax born Rev. Alfred Blakey Edlestone was the first vicar of St Catherine's Church Burnley. He never lived in Lightcliffe so why was he buried in the churchyard? You will need to read Reverend Alfred Blakey Edlestone.pdf to find out!

Lightcliffe Tower will be open on Sunday 15th June 2 - 4 pm during a working party afternoon when volunteers work to keep this once overgrown churchyard open and accessible for visitors.