Welcome back to History Out Loud, dear listeners! In this episode we are once again joined by historian and local history enthusiast, Marlene Oliveira, to talk about 19th century funeral practices, with the help of the Listers of Shibden Hall.

In our first episode of 2026, History Out Loud takes look back at some 'side characters' - unsung heroes from previous episodes. A round of applause, please, for:Thomas Normington,Annie Oakley,Sarah Fielden andCatherine Hogarth (Dickens).

History Out Loud invites you to a festive episode of the podcast where we chat with writer, Paul Weatherhead, about his new book 'Phantoms of Christmas Past'. Ghost hoaxes, ghost hunts and ghost panics were once common and widespread at this time of year, but why? Join us for this seasonal bumper episode and find out...*Part 1 of two episodes.

PART 2History Out Loud invites you to a festive episode of the podcast where we chat with writer, Paul Weatherhead, about his new book 'Phantoms of Christmas Past'. Ghost hoaxes, ghost hunts and ghost panics were once common and widespread at this time of year, but why? Join us for this seasonal bumper episode and find out...*Part 2 of two episodes.

The Trans-Atlantic Duo (Sarah and Gill) invite you to get on board the The Calder Valley Train Experience. Discover the history of public and private railways in the Calder Valley. How does it compare to now? Bring sandwiches, an umbrella and travel insurance - it's a long ride and we can't guarantee you'll get there safely...

The 9th of September, 2025, marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of Wainhouse Tower; but who built it and why? History Out Loud regulars, Sarah and Gill, get together to discuss the facts, the fiction and the scurrilous gossip surrounding Halifax's most iconic landmark...

And now for something a bit different...In this episode, History Out Loud has a chat with illustrator and author, Chris Mould, about his life growing up in West Yorkshire and the characters he has brought to life in books such as The Iron Man, Animal Farm and the graphic novel, War of the Worlds.Chris currently has an exhibition of his work at Bankfield Museum, Halifax, running until the 30th of August 2025.To find out more, please visit: https://museums.calderdale.gov.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/world-chris-mould/

In this episode, history enthusiast, Marlene Oliveira and History Out Loud's Gill put on their crampons and follow in the footsteps of famous diarist, Anne Lister, as she climbs Mont Perdu and The Vignemale, in the Pyrenees. Unfortunately Gill did fall into a few pronunciation crevices, but she manged to make it to the top in once piece.

In this episode History Out Loud's Sarah takes over the presenter seat :) for a chat with Rob Kilner, from Calderdale Markets, about the history of market trading in Halifax.This episode dovetails with the Halifax Borough Market 'Streets in the Sky' event, taking place in Central Library and Archives on the 12th of February. Though this event is fully booked, do drop in to the Local Studies department in Central Library to learn more about this spectacular borough market,and visit the Calderdale Markets webpage : https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/communities/calderdale-markets/market-halls/halifax'Prepare to be amazed by the full street of terrace houses and old Victorian hotel above the market's roof!'

In this 'Christmas Special' episode, Sarah and Gill take a not too serious look back at some local Christmas news stories...