Hall named after David Fletcher

On 12th April 2026 we had a small ceremony to inaugurate the David Fletcher Hall, named after one of our founders David Fletcher. After becoming interested in heritage at a young age, David worked first with the Calder Civic Trust. Having saved the Birchcliffe Chapel with David Shutt and David Ellis, they established Pennine Heritage in 1979.

Over the years the three Davids, led by David Fletcher, worked to help preserve other buildings in Hebden Bridge and wider area. This included Nutclough Mill, the Buttress, and the restoration of the Rochdale Canal, aided by funding from the Manpower Services Commission. They also renovated Queen Street Mill in Burnley and Clegg Hall.

David Fletcher was at the centre of all of this, leading the charity as Chair of Trustees from 1979 to 2015 and then as President from 2015 to 2025. He was instrumental in the success of our charity and helped lead change in the town.

The plaque unveiled by David was modeled on a larger plaque from Birchcliffe Chapel which lists people who played an important role in the life of the chapel. There is no more fitting way to think about David's legacy to the Birchcliffe Centre and to Pennine Heritage. Local craftspeople were used to make and write the sign - thanks to Dovetail Joiners and Leanne Parkin for their excellent work.

In a small speech at the ceremony, David paid tribute to those who had worked with him over the years, including his friends David Shutt and David Ellis who each contributed to saving Birchcliffe Chapel. He reflected on the positive impact that Pennine Heritage has made over the years and his hopes that we'll be here for many years to come.