Ryding’s Park, Brighouse

PH/25. The sketch and description are from The Calderdale Sketch Book by JL Berbiers, published in 1973 by The Halifax Courier Ltd. The Rydings (original name of the building) was built in 1821 as a mansion for Mr John Brooke who was in business as a corn miller at Brookfoot and later near Bridge End. It was bought by public subscription in 1897 and established as a library and reading room in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The library was opened on June 15th 1898 by the president of the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics Institutes, the Marquis of Ripon. The art gallery, which was opened on May 22nd 1907, still contains some of the pictures given to the borough by the late Alderman W Smith, a former mayor.