Halifax’s Northern Broadsides Theatre Company has invited the Calderdale community to take part in creative workshops leading up to the grand finale of Iron People: a community project for CultureDale inspired by Ted Hughes’ The Iron Man and The Iron Woman.
Iron People will see a variety of public community-led projects taking place across Calderdale, including free creative events in Todmorden, Sowerby Bridge, Elland, Mytholmroyd, Central Halifax and Park Ward, as well as an outdoor immersive performance in a local nature reserve.
Iron People is already well underway, engaging local communities in a range of creative activities designed to explore environmental themes and connect participants to Calderdale’s natural and historic landscapes. The workshops include everything from storytelling, acting, and mudlarking to art-building sessions, illustration and family crafts, led by professional artists and eco-activists. These activities will not only inspire creative expression but also encourage participants to reflect on how they can take action to protect their local environment and help combat the climate crisis.
A key highlight of Iron People will be a landmark closing event at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum on Saturday 26th April 2025, where these creative strands will converge in a day-long change-making event and performance, helping to mark the end of Calderdale’s Year of Culture.
“Iron People will celebrate the creativity of everyone in Calderdale, making a new myth from our landscape about the future of our planet. People of any age are invited to be part of the Broadsides family, whether as performer, writer, maker or audience member, with its legacy extending well beyond 2025. In a time of hardship for many, and in the midst of a nature and climate crisis, we believe this will be a joyful and celebratory way of us coming together to tell a story of renewal and to imagine a shared future.”
See our upcoming events here:
Todmorden Community Drop-In
11 October, 1.45pm – 3pm
The Makery at Todmorden College
From Mud to Masterpiece: Sowerby Bridge's River Journey
October – November 2025
Various Events & Locations
Family Creativity Days
Dates vary
Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden and Elland
Acting for the Planet Workshops
Regular Saturdays, 1pm – 5pm
Dean Clough, Halifax
Park Youth Theatre
Wednesday evenings
Unique Community Hub
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, as well as Calderdale Council, The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, Tracy Brabin Mayor of West Yorkshire’s Safer Communities Fund, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Community Climate Grants programme, Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Foundation and Community Foundation for Calderdale.
