Sunday 3rd April would have been Anne Listers 231st Birthday.
Known locally as Gentleman Jack, Anne Lister was a remarkable scholar, traveller, businesswoman and property owner. She began writing diaries in 1806 whilst at school in York, where she met her first girlfriend. She recorded the rest of her life in great detail in these diaries. Volumes totalling over five million words survive, along with hundreds of letters, account books, and miscellaneous papers. The diaries are recognised as a document of global significance by UNESCO for being one of the longest social commentaries ever written.
Anne was never famous in her own time, but has become a local "celebrity" after the discovery of her diaries, and gained even more popularity following the BBC TV series, Gentleman Jack.
Shibden Hall was Anne's home from 1815 when she moved in with her Aunt & Uncle. She inherited the hall in 1836 when her Aunt died and it remained her home until she died in 1840 whilst travelling in Georgia with her wife.
To celebrate her birthday, the local community are putting on a number of events over the course of the week. For more details of what is taking place, please visit this website. Please be advised this website is not created or hosted by either myself or the Geocaching community - and neither take any responsibility for the content.
The Event
Sunday 3rd April 2022 - 10.15am to 10.45am
I had planned to host such an event two years ago to launch the Gentleman Jack labs and caches which can be found around the park and hall, but for a number of reasons, I was unable to go ahead. As it happens, if I had arranged something, it wouldn't have gone ahead anyway due to Covid.
Join me on the grass directly below the Hall for a short event to catch up with friends, meet new friends, and chat in general, whilst celebrating the life of this most extraordinary woman.
Once the event is over, I will be heading up to the hall itself where a Victorian Artisan Market is taking place on the lawn in front of the hall. I believe the hall is also open to visitors - if this is something you wish to do, I advise you look into this in case you need to book.
Trackables - any which fit into my small tupperware box are more than welcome. Anything larger - please be prepared to take it back with you if no-one is willing to take it from you.