Halifax Stars

Recognising Hidden Heritage

For many people in Halifax, boxing is woven into the story of growing up. Local gyms have shaped generations of young people, offering not only opportunities in sport but places of friendship, guidance and belonging.

Yet while grand buildings and historic collections often define what we think of as heritage, the everyday experiences of working-class communities are rarely celebrated in the same way.

Halifax Stars grew from conversations with young people who felt disconnected from traditional ideas of culture and heritage. Many told us they rarely saw their own lives, communities or achievements reflected in museums, galleries or public exhibitions.

We wanted to change that.

Supported by Historic England, the project set out to explore boxing as an important part of Halifax's cultural heritage—one built not simply on sporting success, but on the people, places and relationships that have shaped the town for generations.

Our Approach

Rather than telling the story ourselves, we worked alongside the people who knew it best.

Former champions, current fighters, coaches, volunteers and families generously shared photographs, memories and personal experiences, creating a rich picture of boxing's place within the community.

Interviews were filmed inside the boxing gyms where these stories began and within Halifax's historic mill buildings—spaces that once housed many of the town's earliest clubs. These locations added another layer to the project, connecting the town's industrial history with the determination and resilience that continue to define its boxing community.

Together these stories became a documentary film, archive and exhibition that celebrated not only individual achievements but the enduring spirit of Halifax boxing.

Creating Connections

The exhibition at The Piece Hall became far more than a display of photographs and memories.

Families discovered stories about parents and grandparents they had never known. Former teammates reunited after decades apart. Young boxers saw themselves presented alongside the generations who had inspired them, recognising that they were part of a much bigger story.

Visitors who had never stepped inside a boxing gym gained a completely new understanding of what these clubs represent.

They discovered places where young people learn discipline, respect and resilience; where coaches become trusted mentors; and where communities support one another through life's challenges.

The exhibition opened conversations that reached far beyond boxing.

The Impact

Over a month-long exhibition, more than 2,500 people visited Halifax Stars at The Piece Hall. Hundreds shared personal memories and reflections, creating an extraordinary collection of visitor comments that demonstrated just how deeply the project had resonated.

Local boxing clubs welcomed new members inspired by the exhibition, while families reconnected with their own histories through photographs, films and stories they had never previously encountered.

Perhaps most importantly, the project challenged long-held assumptions about what constitutes heritage.

It demonstrated that the everyday experiences of working-class communities deserve the same recognition, care and celebration as any other chapter in our shared history.

Lasting Legacy

The stories collected through Halifax Stars continue to live on.

The exhibition has been preserved by Halifax Boxing Club as part of its future redevelopment, while the documentary film forms part of Historic England's and Sporting Heritage's online collections, ensuring these voices remain accessible for future generations.

More importantly, the project changed perceptions.

It reminded local people that their own experiences matter, that their communities have shaped the identity of Halifax, and that heritage is not only found in historic buildings or museum collections—it is found in the lives of ordinary people whose stories deserve to be seen, heard and remembered.

For Verd de Gris Arts, Halifax Stars demonstrates the power of creativity to uncover hidden histories, celebrate overlooked communities and create spaces where people recognise themselves—and one another—with renewed pride.