What Is The Pontefract Hermitage And Dispensary Digital Project In West Yorkshire?

Ever walked past an old, closed-down building and wondered what secrets it holds? Pontefract has a place just like that, with a story that goes back centuries. The old Pontefract Dispensary isn’t just a former hospital; it’s sitting on top of a 14th-century hermitage. That’s a hermit’s cave, right under the floorboards. For years, this amazing piece of history has been hidden away, but a new project is about to change all that. Wakefield Council is teaming up with local experts to bring the Pontefract Hermitage and Dispensary back to life, not with bricks and mortar, but with some clever digital magic. This new digital project aims to recreate the entire site, so that people can explore this unique heritage for years to come.

A hospital built on top of a hermit's cave?

It sounds a bit like something from a fantasy book, doesn't it? But it's a real part of Pontefract's history. Let’s break it down. A 'hermitage' is exactly what it sounds like: a place where a hermit lived. Back in the 14th century, this would have been a quiet, secluded spot, likely for someone wanting a life of prayer and solitude. Imagine a small, hand-dug cave, a simple shelter from the world. For hundreds of years, this hermitage was just part of the local landscape.

Then, much later, in 1880, the Pontefract Dispensary was built right in the garden of the hermitage. A 'dispensary' in those days was a bit like a small community hospital or a very busy doctor's surgery, where people could get medicine and medical care. For more than a century, it served the people of Pontefract, eventually becoming part of Pontefract General Infirmary. But the amazing thing is, they didn't destroy the hermitage. They preserved it, right underneath the new building. The cellar of the dispensary held the key, offering a secret entrance to the ancient cave below. This means a single site holds centuries of local history, showing how the town changed over time.

What’s this new digital project all about?

When the Dispensary closed its doors for good in 2011, access to the hermitage was lost. The door through the cellar was sealed, and this incredible piece of heritage was hidden from view. That's where this fantastic new project comes in. Wakefield Council decided that such an important site couldn't remain forgotten. The plan is to create a digital experience that will allow everyone to explore both the dispensary and the hermitage once again.

To make this happen, they’ve brought in some brilliant partners. The team includes local digital specialists from the One to One Development Trust, who know all about creating these kinds of virtual worlds. Also on board are the Pontefract Civic Society and the Pontefract Heritage Partnership, groups full of passionate people dedicated to protecting the town’s history. The whole project is part of a larger initiative called Our Heritage Our Stories, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which supports projects that help communities connect with their past. Together, this team is going to recreate the site, preserving its story for a new generation of people.

Bringing a lost site back to life

So, how does one go about rebuilding a place that no longer exists in a way people can access? It’s not just about looking at old maps. To truly recreate the atmosphere and stories of the Pontefract Hermitage and Dispensary, the project needs personal memories. This is about capturing the human side of its history. Think of all the people who passed through the doors of the dispensary over the century it was open. The nurses who worked long shifts, the doctors who cared for patients, and the countless people from Pontefract who were treated there. Each one has a story.

The project aims to gather these memories to build a rich, detailed picture of the site. Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, shared her excitement about the initiative:

“The Pontefract Hermitage and Dispensary is a unique and hidden part of the district’s heritage and we’re really excited to see it brought to life once again through this digital project.”

The goal is to digitally recreate not just the building, but the feeling of being there. This digital reconstruction will ensure that the heritage of the site isn't lost forever just because the physical entrance is closed. It’s a modern solution to preserving ancient history.

How local people can get involved and share their stories

This is where the people of Pontefract become the most important part of the project. The success of this digital venture depends on the memories and photographs tucked away in family albums and attics across the town. The project team is putting out a call for anyone with a connection to the site to share what they know. Maybe your grandad was a patient at the dispensary, or your aunt was a nurse there. Perhaps someone in your family explored the hermitage when it was still accessible. These personal stories are priceless.

Cllr Hannah Appleyard explained why these contributions are so vital:

“To help us recreate such an important part of the town’s history, we’re looking for people who perhaps worked at the dispensary or were a patient there. Or maybe you visited the hermitage. Please come along and share your stories and photographs with us. Until the dispensary closed there was access to the hermitage through the cellar of the building, but this is no longer possible. So, your memories are crucial to helping us recreate the site so that it can still be explored by present and future generations.”

To make it easy for people to contribute, a special drop-in event has been organised. Anyone with memories or photographs of the Pontefract Hermitage and Dispensary can visit the Pontefract Museum on Saturday, 20 September, between 11am and 2.30pm. It’s a chance to share your piece of history and help build this amazing digital archive for everyone to enjoy. This collaborative effort ensures that the final digital experience will be a true reflection of this cherished local heritage site.