Mytholmroyd station in the Calder valley is uniquely connected to a railway viaduct. The ground floor was a ticket booking office, the middle floor the station master’s quarters and the third floor a waiting room with platform access. The building’s Grade II listing is, in part, due to its unusual stair tower and benefits from superb natural light. The Station building has been closed, vandalised and neglected since 1984 with the windows filled with breeze blocks.
Geoff and Sue Mitchell have campaigned tirelessly for 17 years (!) to renovate the building for community use. Working with other volunteers, of the Mytholmroyd Station Partnership, they have lobbied and succeeded in negotiating with numerous rail organisations and public bodies to secure funds to refurbish the station building and bring it into community ownership and use. ‘The Local Motive’, is now a community arts and business hub providing workshop and studio spaces which have been fully let to both commercial and artist tenants.
Geoff and Sue, as volunteers, have had to learn how various public agencies operate to be able to gain their trust and support. According to Geoff-
‘I never saw or experienced Covid – I was just too busy learning Building Control regulations which we did not expect as we approach our 90th year!’
What has motivated them to stay with this project over such a long period? According to Sue -
‘I am now able to visit it and enjoy a feeling of excitement that we have been able to persuade people that this Victorian lady is worth saving and restoring for future community use, not just now, but for the foreseeable future’.
And how would they describe the personality of the building?
Sue – ‘Sturdy. Steadfast. Dependable. Light filled.’
Geoff –‘Stubborn. Yorkshire.’
Geoff and Sue Mitchell
