Wilson 100

‘Wilson 100’ groups prepare for finale
March 11th 2016 is a special day in Huddersfield as it is the centenary of the birth of former Prime Minister, Harold Wilson who was born and spent his early life in Huddersfield. A feature of the occasion will be a visit by Robin Wilson, Harold Wilson’s son. He will be having lunch at Royds Hall Community School meeting the maths dept and witnessing an exciting performance of ‘Wilson 100’ a suite of original songs and sketches. In the evening he will be attending the annual ‘Wilson’ lecture being given by Alan Johnson at Huddersfield University.
Thanks to national lottery players Watershed Arts Workshops has received funding to create a special Royds Hall performance with young people from the local schools that Harold Wilson attended as a boy. The pupils have been ‘History Detectives’ exploring Harold’s childhood in the 1920’s and listening to anecdotes from people who met him. This material has been interpreted as new songs and plays in workshops with Andy Burton and Gill Bond from Satellite Arts who are currently rehearsing with: Royds Hall Community School, Crow Lane and Cowlersley Primary Schools, ‘Singin’ Slawit’ Community Singers and professional actors and musicians.
Wilson 100 will feature a specially made sculptural lantern of Harold Wilson’s statue made by designer Karima Ellis. Young actors from the schools will be playing various roles and by swapping a cloth cap and Harold’s famous Gannex mac several of them will be portraying Wilson at different ages. Through the research for the project the History Detectives have discovered a number of local people who have significant stories of Harold Wilson’s visit to Huddersfield in 1968 when he received the freedom of the town. This event will also be sharing these newly discovered memories.