Todmorden Town Hall

The sketch and description are from The Calderdale Sketch Book by JL Berbiers, published in 1973 by The Halifax Courier Ltd. Fielden – the very name conjures up a picture of Todmorden. The Fielden family put Todmorden on the map last century when ‘Honest John’ Fielden, MP piloted through Parliament his controversial Ten Hours Bill to protect children from the horrors of ‘slave labour’. Later, three Fielden brothers – Samuel, John (not the same John) and Joshua – arranged for the building of the Grecian style Todmorden Town Hall which they presented to the town in 1875. It stood half in Lancashire and half in Yorkshire then and a fascinating sculptured frieze illustrating the industries of the two counties adorns the western gable. Cleaned to reveal its full glory in 1970 the building now stands as a giant and worthy memorial to a family which did so much for Todmorden. PH/25.