In a year long community programme we will be:
- delivering community research sessions to explore local history
- creating exciting resources and activities inspired by the past
- establishing an accessible archive for Slaithwaite Moonraking and Slawit SHOP!
- marking the parade's centenary with a special celebration and exhibition
How to get involved:
- share memories, photos and information about these 8 shops
- join the heritage research group, Slawit Sifters to uncover fascinating local history
For more information or to contribute towards the project email: slawitshop@gmail.co. or phone Sky on 07879 470083
More details below:
Slaithwaite to Celebrate 100 Years of Carr Lane Shops with New Heritage Project and Festival
Slaithwaite villagers past and present are being urged to dig around in their drawers and memories for precious treasures that will be at the heart of Slawit SHOP, a celebration of 100 years of the Carr Lane parade of shops in the village centre.
“SHOP!" provided the theme for this year's fabulous 40th birthday Moonraking Festival and now the team at Watershed Workshops and Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival want to gather people’s stories about the many businesses and characters that have graced the art deco shopping parade over the past 100 years.
Funded by the The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Slawit SHOP! aims to explore, preserve, and celebrate the social and economic history of Slaithwaite’s retail heart. Through a packed programme of community events, research, and creative responses, the project will highlight the vital role of shops in shaping the character and culture of this unique West Yorkshire village.
A Window into the Past
At the heart of the project is the historic Carr Lane parade — a row of eight long-standing shops that have served the Slaithwaite community for 100 years., in which you can buy anything from houses, spectacles, newspapers, jewellery, engine oil and refresh yourself in the coffee shops along the way. The milestone is especially meaningful for Green Valley Grocers, which proudly continues a century-long tradition of greengrocery on the same site.
Throughout 2025, residents, researchers, and artists will work together to uncover the stories behind these buildings and the people who brought them to life. A new digitised archive will be created, ensuring that the legacy of both Slawit SHOP and the Moonraking Festival is accessible to future generations.
Highlights of the Project Include:
Community Research & Creative Interpretation
Three research groups — made up of local young people, adult volunteers, and university partners — will delve into the histories of the featured shops.
Discoveries will be shared via a monthly podcast and artist-led commissions.
Local schools will respond creatively through music, drama, and art.
WOVEN Festival Collaboration – June 2025
As part of the Kirklees WOVEN Festival of Textiles, shop windows along Carr Lane will be adorned with beautiful yarn-bomb mandala screens, individually tailored to each business.
Yarn crafters from the Fibre Tribe have dreamed up the project and will liaise with businesses to install these vibrant pieces as part of their Spectrum Yarn 100 installation
Shop Centenary Celebration – Saturday 17 January 2026, 2–5PM
A village-wide celebration featuring music, drama, exhibitions, and the launch of a new interactive Heritage Plaque Trail.
Eight QR-coded plaques will be installed outside the featured shops, offering passers-by an engaging, self-guided journey through Slaithwaite’s retail history.
Shopfronts will be lit with lanterns, echoing the magic of the Moonraking Festival and rounding off the 17-month project with creativity, storytelling, and pride.
How to Get Involved
Organisers are inviting local residents and businesses to join the celebration in a variety of ways, including:
Sharing old photos, stories, or memories of the eight Carr Lane shops
Taking part in research activities with the Slawit Sifters heritage group
Listen to the Slawit SHOP! podcast for monthly updates on project development https://on.soundcloud.com/tqPVhHm4Hej9ve2D8
https://slaithwaitemoonraking.co.uk/slawitshop
