You may be surprised to hear that Halifax has got some items of interest. I'd heard good reviews of <a href="https://www.thepiecehall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Piece Hall</a> and <a href="https://www.deanclough.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dean Clough</a>. Nick and Val said Halifax Town Hall was also worth a visit.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dean-clough.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-5529 size-medium" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dean-clough-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a>Mary and I rolled into Dean Clough car park in a downpour. This wasn't forecast so we waited for it to abate  before venturing to the Pay &amp; Display machine. Once inside we realised what a vast building each of the mills were. At one time it was the home of Crossley Carpets, one of the largest carpet makers in the world.

Just beyond reception were a number of galleries and of course the inevitable shop. After a stroll around <a href="https://www.deanclough.com/?event=michael-rothenstein-exploding-the-boundaries" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Michael Rothenstein</a> exhibition (quite menacing) we went for a coffee where they charged Mary 50p for extra hot water so she could water down her coffee - never experienced that before.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/paper-artmar19.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-5533 size-thumbnail" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/paper-artmar19-195x200.jpg" alt="" width="195" height="200" /></a>Upstairs there were a corridor upon corridor of offices and down the corridors were art works - what a wonderful place to work. My favourite pieces were by <a href="https://www.deanclough.com/?event=pierrette-vergne-the-art-of-paper" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pierrette Vergne</a>. These were all made from coloured paper, quite unusual.

As unique pieces of art work they were reasonably priced - it was tempting.

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<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/halifax_piece_hallmar19.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-5534 size-thumbnail" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/halifax_piece_hallmar19-200x147.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="147" /></a>We walked around all the levels of Piece Hall however most of the shops were closed. It didn't really matter because we were interested in the architecture and the history of the place. Halifax had been an important centre for the woollen industry and the rich merchants poured money into the town.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Halifax_Town_Hallmar19.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5535" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Halifax_Town_Hallmar19-200x150.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="150" /></a>The richness of the town was very apparent in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Town_Hall" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">town hall</a>. It is open to the public even though it is a working building. Mary and I were showing a keen interest when we were approached by the mayor's assistant who offered to give us a guided tour. We visited the council chamber and the mayor's private room where he would entertain guests. The carpet was made by Crossley carpets at the local mill and had been in place over 50 years. It was so well made the only sign of wear was by the entrance.