Display cases and a replica lamppost at Castleford Museum

Community cases

Our Community Cases celebrate Castleford stories from the past and present. We work with local people, groups and organisations to create exciting changing displays.

Here’s what you can enjoy at the moment:

Castleford Market

Castleford is a proud market town. Local people have been buying and selling at market stalls for over a hundred years. Some stalls like Brown’s newsagents and booksellers have been in business since the First World War.

The Local Board of Health built Castleford Market in 1880. Eventually, changing shopping habits and tighter health requirements made the building unsuitable. It closed in 1991 and the new market opened in the old Co-op. Only the entrance arcade is left today.

Castleford shoppers still remember the old hall fondly. They have been sharing their market memories with us.

A display case containing lots of hand-painted pottery

Making their mark

Find out how a local art teacher made her mark.

Alice Gostick taught art in Castleford in the early 1900s. She ran classes about hand decorating pottery. It sparked a trend across the country.

In Castleford talented craftswomen painted pots in a rainbow of colours and patterns.

Today, students from Alice's old school are keeping the tradition alive. They took inspiration from the intricate work of five local painters. See their colourful creations alongside the original pots.

Look out for the painters' unique maker's marks.

A display case containing ceremonial marbles and trophies

Reight Neet Aht

Explore the surprising story of Castleford’s unique Reight Neet Aht. The town held its star-studded marbles contest from 1936-1958. The charity gala raised money for hospitals and good causes.  

The event attracted attention from famous faces around the world. Find out which stage, screen and sporting stars brought the glitz and glamour to Cas.  

Get dressed up for your own game of marbles. Leave us a message in our special Reight Neet Aht guest book.