Mural celebrating ‘Gentleman Jack’ Anne Lister unveiled at Halifax station

Halifax station in Yorkshire has been decorated with murals as part of the 231st Birthday Festival for the English diarist, Anne Lister, who was born in the town.

The Festival took place across Halifax from Friday, 1st until Sunday, 10th April. Hundreds of locals took part in events to celebrate the life of the famous diarist and all that she achieved.

Anne was known as ‘Gentleman Jack’ for her masculine appearance. She recorded details of her everyday life and work in the 19th century, and documented a string of love affairs she had with women.

Students from Calderdale College decorated the station as part of the Halifax Station Partnership. Students from the Creative, Digital, and Professional Trades departments at the college joined forces with the Anne Lister Birthday Weekend team and Northern Trains to decorate the station ready to welcome visitors and highlight the town’s birthday celebrations.

Halifax station mural - Pic 1 — Halifax station mural. Credit: Northern.

Two new planters were also produced by Joinery students featuring eye-catching artwork designed by art & design students.

The College worked closely with Rachel Lappin and Zoe Willows at Calderdale Council, along with Richard Isaac at Northern to develop a brief that students could work on to gain real-life project experience.

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Simon Dunn, curriculum area leader for creative and digital at Calderdale College, said about the project:

“Providing our students with projects such as this one is a great way for us to show what life will be like after college.

“It’s been great to grow our partnership with Calderdale Council and Northern with this collaboration. Our students have really enjoyed designing the displays and it’s a proud moment for them to be able to see the finished product in the centre of Halifax.”

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said:

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the incredibly talented students at Calderdale College whose artwork now has pride-of-place at the station.

“This artwork celebrates Halifax’s heritage and is something everyone in the community can enjoy.”

Rachel Lappin, senior visitor engagement officer at Calderdale Council, added:

“Halifax Station has been well and truly transformed. Thank you again to everyone at Calderdale College and, most importantly, the young people themselves for some fantastic partnership working. The positive feedback we have received is heart-warming.”