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{{Short description|Market town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England}}
{{for|the cattle station in South Australia|Todmorden Station (pastoral lease)}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2007}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| official_name            = Todmorden
| coordinates              = {{coord|53.713|-2.096|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map              = United Kingdom Calderdale
| population               = 15,481
| population_ref           = (Including Cornholme and Portsmouth, West Yorkshire. [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]])
| civil_parish             = Todmorden
| metropolitan_borough     = [[Calderdale]]
| metropolitan_county      = [[West Yorkshire]]
| region                   = Yorkshire and the Humber
| constituency_westminster = [[Calder Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Calder Valley]]
| post_town                = TODMORDEN
| postcode_district        = OL14
| postcode_area            = OL
| dial_code                = 01706
| os_grid_reference        = SD936241
| london_distance          = {{convert|174|mi|km|0|abbr=on}}&nbsp;[[Boxing the compass|SSE]]
| static_image_name        = Tod from golf course.jpg
| static_image_caption     = A view over Todmorden
| population_demonym       = Todmordian
}}
'''Todmorden''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɒ|d|m|ər|d|ən}} {{respell|TOD|mər|dən}}; {{IPAc-en|local|ˈ|t|ɒ|d|m|ɔːr|d|ən|,_|ˈ|t|ɒ|d|m|ər|d|ən|,_|ˈ|t|ɔː|m|d|ɪ|n}})<ref>See page 828 of [[John C. Wells]]'s LPD.  Also, see [http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/wells/blog0804b.htm 25 April 2008] and [http://phonetic-blog.blogspot.com/2010/01/bessacarr.html 29 January 2010]</ref><ref>Peter Wright, ''A Yorkshireman's Dictionary'', page 8</ref> is a [[market town]] and [[civil parish]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadPage.do?pageId=1003&tc=1189606186976&a=7&b=790751&c=todmorden&d=16&e=15&g=380116&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 |title=Census 2001 – Todmorden CP (Parish) |publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics |access-date=12 September 2007}}</ref> in the [[Upper Calder Valley]] in [[Calderdale]], [[West Yorkshire]], England. It is {{convert|17|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} north-east of [[Manchester]], {{convert|8|mi|km|0}} south-east of [[Burnley]] and {{convert|9|mi|km|0}} west of [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]]. In 2011, it had a population of 15,481.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11129755&c=Todmorden&d=16&e=62&g=6370497&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1456230375849&enc=1|title=Town population 2011|access-date=23 February 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics}}</ref>

Todmorden is at the confluence of three steep-sided [[Pennines|Pennine]] valleys and is surrounded by moorlands with outcrops of [[Aeolian processes|sandblasted]] [[gritstone]].

The [[Historic counties of England|historic boundary]] between [[Yorkshire]] and [[Lancashire]] is the [[River Calder, West Yorkshire|River Calder]] and its tributary, Walsden Water, which run through the town. The administrative border was altered by the [[Local Government Act 1888]] placing the whole of the town within the [[West Riding of Yorkshire|West Riding]].

The town is served by {{stnlnk|Todmorden}} and {{stnlnk|Walsden}} railway stations.

==History==
===Toponymy===
The name ''Todmorden'' is first attested in 1246, in the form ''Totmardene'';<ref name=":0" /> other pre-modern spellings include ''Tottemerden'', ''Totmereden'' and ''Totmerden''.<ref name=":1" /> This is thought to originate in [[Old English]] as a personal name, ''Totta'', combined with the Old English words {{lang|ang|mǣre}} ('border, boundary') and {{lang|ang|denu}} ('valley'). Thus the name once meant 'Totta's border-valley'.<ref name=":0">''The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names, Based on the Collections of the English Place-Name Society'', ed. by Victor Watts (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), s.v. ''Todmorden''.</ref><ref name=":1" />  The valley in question is thought to have been the one running north-west from the town,<ref name=":1">Nicolaisen, Gelling & Richards, ''The Names of Towns and Cities in Britain'', p.&nbsp;181</ref> and the border the one between Lancashire and Yorkshire.<ref name=":0" />

Although, fanciful and historically implausible, alternative etymologies circulate, such as the speculation that the name derives from two words for death: German {{lang|de|Tod}} and French {{lang|fr|mort}},<ref>Glyn Hughes, foreword in "Todmorden Album 4", (Birch R.) p.&nbsp;6</ref> or that the name meant 'marshy den of the fox', supposedly from {{lang|enm|tod}}, a word of uncertain origin meaning 'fox' first attested around 1200,<ref>{{cite dictionary|url=https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/202809 |title=tod, n.1. |dictionary=Oxford English Dictionary Online |edition=3rd |location=Oxford |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2023 |accessdate= 18 April 2023}}</ref> ''moor'' (which in Old English meant 'marsh'), and ''den'' (also attested in Old English to mean an animal's lair).{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

'Tod' is an informal name for Todmorden, often used in everyday conversation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.todmordennews.co.uk/news/our-prince-loved-tod-1-2893223 |title=Our Prince loved Tod! |date=30 December 2010 |work=Todmorden News |access-date=11 May 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813034429/https://www.todmordennews.co.uk/news/our-prince-loved-tod-1-2893223 |archivedate=13 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.southpennines.co.uk/explore/todmorden/ |title=Todmorden |work=South Pennines |accessdate=23 May 2018}}</ref>

===Prehistory===
In 1898, Blackheath Barrow—a [[ring cairn]] monument situated above Cross Stone in Todmorden<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/localhistory/glimpse-past/archaeology/ancient-circle.html |title=Blackheath Barrow: Archaeology |publisher=Calderdale Council |access-date=20 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201173626/http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/localhistory/glimpse-past/archaeology/ancient-circle.html |archive-date=1 February 2014 }}</ref>—was excavated and proved to be a site of "surpassing archaeological interest", according to J. Lawton Russell, one of the men who carried out the excavation.<ref>Russell's note of the excavations appears in H. Ling Wroth, The Yorkshire Coiners 1767–1783, and Notes on Old and Prehistoric Halifax</ref>  Various [[Bronze Age]] items were discovered, including [[Sepulchre|sepulchral]] urns, a human skull, teeth and hands.

Russell contended that Blackheath Barrow was primarily a religious site, specifically intended for the "performance of funeral rites", as there was no evidence that it had been settled for domestic use. Of particular interest were the four [[cairn]]s, positioned at the [[Cardinal direction|cardinal]] points of the compass, and it has been suggested that this indicates "a ritual evocation of the airts, or spirits of the four directions, with obvious correlates in relation to spirits in the land of the dead".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://megalithix.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/blackheath-circle/ |title=Blackheath Circle, Todmorden, West Yorkshire &#124; The Northern Antiquarian |publisher=Megalithix.wordpress.com |date=19 November 2010 |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref>

The various finds from the 1898 dig are now housed in the Todmorden Library, on permanent display.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/branches/todmorden.html |title=Todmorden Library |publisher=Calderdale Council |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref>

===Early history===
[[File:Tod 1800s.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Todmorden c.1870]]
Settlement in [[Middle Ages|medieval]] Todmorden was dispersed, most people living in scattered farms or in isolated hilltop agricultural settlements. [[Packhorse]] trails were marked by ancient stones, of which many still survive.

For hundreds of years, streams from the surrounding hills provided water for corn and fulling mills. Todmorden grew to relative prosperity by combining farming with the production of woollen textiles. Some [[Yeoman|yeomen]] clothiers were able to build fine houses, a few of which still exist today. Increasingly, though, the area's industry turned to cotton. The proximity of Manchester, as a source of material and trade, was undoubtedly a strong factor. Another was that the strong [[Pennines|Pennine]] streams and rivers were able to power the machine [[loom]]s. Improvements in textile machinery (by [[John Kay (flying shuttle)|John Kay]], [[James Hargreaves]] and [[Richard Arkwright]]), along with the development of [[Turnpike trust|turnpike roads]] (1751–1781), helped to develop the new cotton industry and to increase the local population.

===19th century===
In 1801, most people still lived in the uplands; Todmorden itself could be considered as a mere village.  During the years 1800–1845, great changes took place in the communications and transport of the town which were to have a crucial effect on promoting industrial growth. These included the building of: (1) better roads; (2) the [[Rochdale Canal]] (1804); and (3) the main line of the [[Manchester and Leeds Railway]] (1841), which became the [[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]] in 1847. This railway line incorporated the (then) longest tunnel in the world, the {{convert|2885|yd|m|adj=mid|-long|abbr=off}} [[Summit Tunnel]].  A second railway, from Todmorden to Burnley, opened as a single line in 1849, being doubled to meet demand in 1860.  A short connecting line, from [[Stansfield Hall railway station|Stansfield Hall]] to Hall Royd, completed the "Todmorden Triangle" in 1862, thus enabling trains to travel in all three directions (Manchester, Leeds and Burnley) without reversing.

The [[Industrial Revolution]] caused a concentration of industry and settlement along the valley floor and a switch from woollens to cotton. One family in the area was particularly influential on the town; the Fielden family. They created a "dynasty" that changed the town forever by establishing several large mills, putting up assorted impressive buildings and bringing about social and educational change.

A double murder took place at Christ Church, Todmorden on 2 March 1868. The victims' graves lie in the churchyard.  Miles Weatherhill, a 23-year-old weaver from the town, was forbidden from seeing his housemaid sweetheart, Sarah Bell, by the Reverend Anthony John Plow. Armed with four pistols and an axe, Weatherhill took revenge first on the vicar and then on Jane Smith, another maid who had informed Plow of the secret meetings. Miss Smith died at the scene, while the vicar survived another week before succumbing to his injuries.  Weatherhill also seriously injured the vicar's wife. On 4 April 1868, Weatherhill became the last person to be publicly [[Hanging|hanged]] in [[Manchester]], at the New Bailey prison.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/victorian/poplit/curiosities/small/curio214.html |title=Execution and Confession of Miles Weatherhill, The Young Weaver, and his Sweetheart, Sarah Bell |access-date=13 September 2007 |first=Charles |last=Hindley |year=1871 |publisher=University of Virginia Library |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109001927/http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/victorian/poplit/curiosities/small/curio214.html |archive-date=9 November 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |title=The Murder At Todmorden Parsonage |department=News |date=5 March 1868 |page=12 |issue=26064 |column=A }}</ref><ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |title=Northern Circuit. Manchester, 13 March., The Todmorden Murders |department=Law |date=14 March 1868 |page=11 |issue=26072 }}</ref><ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |title=Executions. Manchester |department=News |date=6 April 1868 |page=10 |issue=26091 |column=D }}</ref> Local legend has it that the face of a young woman is sometimes seen in the window of the vicarage, now in private ownership.

===20th century===
Throughout the first decade of the 20th&nbsp;century, the population of the Borough of Todmorden remained constant. The ten-yearly UK census returns show figures of 25,418 in 1901 and 25,404 in 1911. Like the rest of the [[Upper Calder Valley]], Todmorden's economy experienced a slow decline from around the end of [[World War I]] onwards, accelerating after [[World War II]] until around the late 1970s. During this period there was a painful restructuring of the local economy with the closure of mills and the demise of heavy industry.

On 1 January 1907, Todmorden Corporation became only the second municipality in the [[British Isles]] to operate a motor bus service.  By the end of that year, the fleet had expanded to five double-deck vehicles: two by Critchley-Norris, two by [[Lancashire Steam Motor Company|Lancashire Steam]] (predecessor of [[Leyland Motors]]) and one by [[Ryknield Motor Company|Ryknield]]. In 1931, the service became jointly operated by the Corporation and the LMS railway under the name "Todmorden Joint Omnibus Committee". At its maximum size in the 1940s and 1950s, the undertaking operated 40 vehicles over 50 route miles (80&nbsp;km) through the rugged South Pennine terrain.

Until 1938, the town was served by no fewer than six railway stations: [[Todmorden railway station|Todmorden]], [[Stansfield Hall railway station|Stansfield Hall]], [[Cornholme railway station|Cornholme]], [[Portsmouth (Lancs) railway station|Portsmouth]], [[Walsden railway station|Walsden]] and [[Eastwood (L&Y) railway station|Eastwood]]. With the exception of Todmorden railway station, all closed during the middle third of the 20th&nbsp;century although Walsden railway station reopened on 10 September 1990 on a site a few yards north of the original 1845 railway station. In December 1984, a goods train carrying petrol [[Summit Tunnel fire|derailed in the Summit Tunnel]] between Todmorden and [[Littleborough, Greater Manchester|Littleborough]] causing what is still considered as one of the biggest underground fires in transport history.<ref>''Survivor! The Summit Tunnel.'' Parry, K. {{ISBN|0-948287-00-4}}</ref>

In 1980, Todmorden found itself at the centre of a celebrated murder enquiry. On 11 June that year police were called to J.W. Parker's coal yard in Todmorden after the discovery of a body, subsequently identified as 56-year-old Zigmund Adamski from [[Tingley]], near [[Wakefield]]. The former coal miner had not been seen since setting out on a local shopping trip five days earlier. Although still wearing a suit, his shirt, watch and wallet were missing. A [[Autopsy|post-mortem]] established that he died of a heart attack earlier that day, and discovered burns on his neck, shoulders and back of his head. These appeared to have been dressed by a green ointment, which toxicology tests were unable to identify.<ref name="adamski">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAc41UINwts  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/pAc41UINwts| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=U.F.O. In Todmorden Part 2.Alien Abduction |publisher=YouTube |date=1 August 2008 |access-date=20 January 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Adamski's case has never been solved, no suspect was ever arrested and in a television documentary the coroner, James Turnbull, described it as "one of the most puzzling cases I've come across in 25 years".<ref name="adamski"/> Among the explanations to gain currency was that Adamski was the victim of [[Alien abduction|extraterrestrial abduction]], following comments by police officer Alan Godfrey about what he saw on 29 November 1980, described in [[Jenny Randles]]' 1983 book ''The Pennine UFO Mystery''.<ref name="randles">{{cite book|isbn=978-0722189351|title=Pennine UFO Mystery|first=Jenny |last=Randles |author-link=Jenny Randles |year=1983|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]}}</ref><ref name="forteantimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.forteantimes.com/features/fbi/4903/policeman_probed.html |title=Policeman Probed &#124; FBI |work=[[Fortean Times]] |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/yorkslincs/series2/ufo_alien_abduction_yorkshire_pennine_sighting_adamski_mystery.shtml |title=BBC Inside Out – Alien abduction claims in Yorkshire |publisher=BBC |date=3 February 2003 |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref> After intense media interest, the Todmorden police force were forbidden from talking further to the press about the case.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.todmordennews.co.uk/news/local/adamski_case_still_fascinates_1_1838255 |title=Adamski case still fascinates |work=Todmorden News |date=13 February 2006 |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref> In 2017, ''Blurry Photos'' host Dave Stecco said he believes that Adamski could have been a [[Nazism|Nazi]] before immigrating from [[Poland]].<ref>{{cite web|first1=Dave |last1=Stecco|first2=David|last2= Flora|title=The Bizarre Death of Zigmund Adamski|url=http://www.blurryphotos.org/ep-188-the-bizarre-death-of-zigmund-adamski/|date=17 June 2017|website=Blurry Photos|access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>

In the 1980s and 1990s, a prominent [[lesbian]] [[intentional community]] grew up Todmorden — and subsequently<ref name="QMUL Golding">{{cite web |url=https://www.qmul.ac.uk/history/people/postdoctoral-researchers-/profiles/goldingvictoria.html |title=Dr Victoria Golding |publisher=[[Queen Mary University of London]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115182046/https://www.qmul.ac.uk/history/people/postdoctoral-researchers-/profiles/goldingvictoria.html |date= |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 }}</ref> [[Hebden Bridge]]<ref name="Yorkshire Post 2017-07-26">{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/hebden-bridge-the-gay-friendly-town-where-everyone-feels-welcome-1096168 |title=Hebden Bridge: The gay-friendly town where everyone feels welcome |author= |work=[[The Yorkshire Post]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115183047/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/hebden-bridge-the-gay-friendly-town-where-everyone-feels-welcome-1096168 |date=26 July 2017 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wyqs.co.uk/stories/todmorden-and-hebden-bridge/ |title=Todmorden and Hebden Bridge |first=Dominic |last=Bilton |work=[[West Yorkshire Queer Stories]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115185055/https://wyqs.co.uk/stories/todmorden-and-hebden-bridge/ |date=11 November 2018 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 }}</ref> — "promot[ing] forms of queer intimacy outside of the [[nuclear family]] unit", with "a close-knit community of care" and mutual support, sharing [[child care]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/jul/29/theobserver.uknews2 |title=Lesbians the toast of the Two Ferrets |first=Amelia |last=Hil |date=29 July 2001 |newspaper=[[The Observer]] |access-date=17 November 2016}}</ref> and community events,<ref name="IHR 2022-11-15">{{cite web |url=https://www.history.ac.uk/events/using-oral-history-trace-lgbtq-intimacies-and-politics-late-twentieth-century-northern |title=Using Oral History to Trace LGBTQ Intimacies and Politics in late Twentieth Century Northern England |publisher=[[Institute of Historical Research]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115175842/https://www.history.ac.uk/events/using-oral-history-trace-lgbtq-intimacies-and-politics-late-twentieth-century-northern |date=2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 }}</ref> such as a "famous Todmorden Women's Disco" held monthly.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2022/03/the-inside-guide-to-hebden-bridge-west-yorkshires-inclusive-hotspot |title=The inside guide to Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire's inclusive hotspot |first=Ella |last=Braidwood |work=[[National Geographic]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115184326/https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2022/03/the-inside-guide-to-hebden-bridge-west-yorkshires-inclusive-hotspot |date=29 March 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visitcalderdale.com/love-revolution-5-reasons-why-calderdale-is-the-best-lgbt-friendly-destination-in-the-uk/ |title=Love Revolution: 5 reasons why Calderdale is the best LGBT-friendly destination in the UK |publisher=Visit Calderdale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115183837/https://www.visitcalderdale.com/love-revolution-5-reasons-why-calderdale-is-the-best-lgbt-friendly-destination-in-the-uk/ |date=17 March 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 }}</ref> The nature of that community has changed with evolving queer politics, away from [[lesbian feminism]] and towards "[[homonormativity|homonormative]] [[cultural assimilation|assimilation]]".<ref name="IHR 2022-11-15"/><ref name="Duggan 2002">{{cite book |first=Lisa |last=Duggan |chapter=The New Homonormativity: The Sexual Politics of Neoliberalism |title=Materializing Democracy: Toward a Revitalized Cultural Politics |editor1=Russ Castronovo |editor2=Dana D. Nelson |pages=175–94 |publisher=Duke University Press |date=2002 |doi=10.2307/j.ctv125jgrq.10 }}</ref>

===21st century===
In 2008, a group of local residents initiated the [[Incredible Edible]] project to raise awareness of food issues and in particular local food and food provenance.<ref name=IET>Paull, John (2013) [http://orgprints.org/24956/28/24956.pdf  "Please Pick Me" – How Incredible Edible Todmorden is repurposing the commons for open source food and agricultural biodiversity],  In J. Franzo, D. Hunter, T. Borelli & F. Mattei (Eds.). Diversifying Foods and Diets: Using Agricultural Biodiversity to Improve Nutrition and Health. Oxford: Earthscan, Routledge, pp.336–345.</ref> The project has been responsible for the planting of 40 public fruit and vegetable gardens throughout the town, with each plot inviting passers-by to help themselves to the [[open source]] produce.<ref name="IET" />  The project has attracted publicity, media attention and visitors and the idea has been replicated in at least fifteen towns and villages in the UK.<ref name="IET" />

==Governance==
[[File:Todcoatofarms.jpg|thumb|right|[[Coat of Arms]] of the former Todmorden Borough Council.]]
Todmorden has a complex geo-administrative history. It lies along the [[Historic counties of England|historic county boundary]] of [[Yorkshire]] and [[Lancashire]].

Until the boundary reformation by the [[Local Government Act 1888]], the Lancashire-Yorkshire boundary ran through the centre of Todmorden, following the River Calder to the north-west and the Walsden Water for less than {{convert|1|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} to the south before turning south-eastwards across Langfield Common. [[Todmorden Town Hall]], which was presented to Todmorden by the Fielden family and opened in 1875, straddles the Walsden Water; thus, from 1875 to 1888 it was possible to dance in the town hall ballroom, forward and back, across two [[counties of England]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/roses-united-b9t25vht6md|title=Roses united|newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=15 August 2009|access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>

Following the [[Local Government Act 1894]], the Todmorden Local Board became an [[Urban district (England and Wales)|Urban District]] Council, comprising the wards of Todmorden, [[Walsden]], Langfield and [[Stansfield, West Yorkshire|Stansfield.]] At the same time, Todmorden [[Rural district|Rural District]] Council, comprising the nearby parishes of Blackshaw, Erringden, Heptonstall and Wadsworth, came into being. Two years later, on 2 June 1896, the town was granted a Charter of Incorporation and the area covered by the Urban District Council became a [[municipal borough]]. The number of wards was increased from four to six: Central, Walsden, Langfield, [[Stansfield, West Yorkshire|Stansfield]], Stoodley and Cornholme. Todmorden Rural District was later renamed [[Hepton Rural District]].  Since the [[Local Government Act 1972|local government reforms of 1974]], Todmorden has been administered as part of the [[Metropolitan Borough]] of [[Calderdale]], within the [[metropolitan county]] of [[West Yorkshire]]. At the local government level, the majority of the town is within Todmorden ward of Calderdale Council<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/statistics/ward-information/wardprofiles/todmorden.html|title=Todmorden ward profile|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630172921/http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/statistics/ward-information/wardprofiles/todmorden.html|archive-date=30 June 2010}}</ref> with the eastern part of the town, including Eastwood, sharing the adjoining Calder ward with the town of [[Hebden Bridge]] and parishes of [[Blackshaw]], [[Heptonstall]], [[Erringden]] and [[Wadsworth, West Yorkshire|Wadsworth]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/statistics/ward-information/wardprofiles/calder.html|title=Calder ward|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630173424/http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/statistics/ward-information/wardprofiles/calder.html|archive-date=30 June 2010}}</ref> As of the 2023 Local Elections, the three Todmorden councillors and three Calder councillors are all part of the Labour Party.

Todmorden's [[Postal counties of the United Kingdom|postal county]] was Lancashire until their abolition in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://postal-counties.com/browse/|title=Historic Counties Postal Directory|publisher=Association of British Counties|access-date=5 November 2017}}</ref>

===Todmorden Town Council composition===
{{Infobox legislature
| name               = Todmorden Town Council
| coa_pic            = 
| coa_caption        = 
| coa_res            = 
| coa_alt            =
| logo_res           = 
| logo_alt           =
| foundation         = 
| house_type         = Town Council
| leader1_type       = [[Mayors in England|Mayor]]
| leader1            = Cllr Tyler Hanley
| members            = 18 Councillors
| structure1         =
| structure1_res     = 250
| structure1_alt     = Todmorden Town Council composition
| seats1_title       = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| seats1             = {{Composition bar|17|18|hex={{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}}}
| seats2_title       = [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]
| seats2             = {{Composition bar|1|18|hex={{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}}}
| voting_system1     = [[Plurality-at-large voting|Plurality-at-large]]
| last_election1     = 2 May 2023
| next_election1     = 2 May 2027
| website            = {{URL|https://todmorden-tc.gov.uk}}
| meeting_place      = Town Hall, Todmorden
| footnotes          =
}}

{{Election summary begin| title = Election to Todmorden Town Council [[2023 United Kingdom local elections|4 May 2023]]}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |seats      = 17
  |net        = 5
  |gain       = 5
  |loss       = 0
  |votes      = 7265
  |votes %    = 74.6%
  |seats %    = 94.4%
  |plus/minus = +28.0%

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |seats      = 1
  |net        = -5
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 5
  |votes      = 2475
  |votes %    = 25.4%
  |seats %    = 5.6%
  |plus/minus = +19.5%

}}
{{Election summary|
  |party      = ''Total''
  |seats      = ''18''
  |gain       = 
  |loss       = 
  |net        = 
  |votes      = ''9740''
  |votes %    = 
  |seats %    = 
  |plus/minus =

}}
|}

Only Labour and the Liberal Democrats stood candidates in 2023. The turnout was 9740 and 132 ballots were rejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/democracy/electionresults/results.jsp?election=618|title=Election of Town/Parish Councillors 2023 - 04/05/2023: Election results: Calderdale Council|publisher=Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council|access-date=14 June 2023}}</ref>

{{Election summary begin| title = Election to Todmorden Town Council [[2019 United Kingdom local elections|2 May 2019]]}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |seats      = 12
  |net        = 0
  |gain       = 1
  |loss       = 1
  |votes      = 4652
  |votes %    = 46.6%
  |seats %    = 66.7%
  |plus/minus = +0.5%

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |seats      = 6
  |net        = 3
  |gain       = 3
  |loss       = 0
  |votes      = 4473
  |votes %    = 44.9%
  |seats %    = 33.3%
  |plus/minus = +14.7%

}}

{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Green Party of England and Wales
  |seats      = 0
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 2
  |net        = -2
  |votes      = 246
  |votes %    = 2.4%
  |seats %    = 0%
  |plus/minus = -7.1%

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |seats      = 0
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 0
  |net        = -1
  |votes      = DNS
  |votes %    = n/a
  |seats %    = 0%
  |plus/minus = n/a

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = United Kingdom Independence Party
  |seats      = 0
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 0
  |net        = 0
  |votes      = DNS
  |votes %    = n/a
  |seats %    = 0%
  |plus/minus = n/a

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Independent politician
  |seats      = 0
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 0
  |net        = 0
  |votes      = 534
  |votes %    = 5.3%
  |seats %    = 0%
  |plus/minus = +3.9%

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = National Front (UK)
  |seats      = 0
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 0
  |net        = 0
  |votes      = 68
  |votes %    = 0.7%
  |seats %    = 0%
  |plus/minus = -0.2%

}}
{{Election summary|
  |party      = ''Total''
  |seats      = ''18''
  |gain       = 
  |loss       = 
  |net        = 
  |votes      = ''9973''
  |votes %    = 
  |seats %    = 
  |plus/minus =

}}
|}

The turnout was 9973 and 154 ballots were rejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/democracy/electionresults/results.jsp?election=457|title=Election of Town/Parish Councillors 2019 - 02/05/2019: Election results: Calderdale Council|publisher=Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council|access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref>

{{Election summary begin| title = Election to Todmorden Town Council [[2015 United Kingdom local elections|7 May 2015]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/democracy/electionresults/results.jsp?election=199|title=Election of Town/Parish Councillors 2015 - 07/05/2015: Election results: Calderdale Council|publisher=Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council}}</ref>}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |seats      = 12
  |net        = +5
  |gain       = 5
  |loss       = 0
  |votes      = 7458
  |votes %    = 46.1%
  |seats %    = 66.7%
  |plus/minus = +10.7%

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |seats      = 3
  |net        = -5
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 5
  |votes      = 4880
  |votes %    = 30.2%
  |seats %    = 16.7%
  |plus/minus = -15.7%

}}

{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Green Party of England and Wales
  |seats      = 2
  |gain       = 2
  |loss       = 0
  |net        = +2
  |votes      = 1536
  |votes %    = 9.5%
  |seats %    = 11.1%
  |plus/minus = +6.3%

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |seats      = 1
  |gain       = 1
  |loss       = 0
  |net        = +1
  |votes      = 965
  |votes %    = 5.9%
  |seats %    = 5.6%
  |plus/minus = n/a

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = United Kingdom Independence Party
  |seats      = 0
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 0
  |net        = 0
  |votes      = 843
  |votes %    = 5.2%
  |seats %    = 0%
  |plus/minus = n/a

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = Independent politician
  |seats      = 0
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 3
  |net        = -3
  |votes      = 227
  |votes %    = 1.4%
  |seats %    = 0%
  |plus/minus = -12.8%

}}
{{Election summary party|
  |party      = National Front (UK)
  |seats      = 0
  |gain       = 0
  |loss       = 0
  |net        = 0
  |votes      = 145
  |votes %    = 0.9%
  |seats %    = 0%
  |plus/minus = n/a

}}
{{Election summary|
  |party      = ''Total''
  |seats      = ''18''
  |gain       = 
  |loss       = 
  |net        = 
  |votes      = ''16170''
  |votes %    = 
  |seats %    = 
  |plus/minus = ''+ 5926''

}}
|}

===Twin towns===
Todmorden's [[Town twinning|twin towns]] are:<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/leisure-and-culture/tourism-and-travel/twin-towns/twinning-societies/todmorden-town | title = Todmorden Town Twinning Association | publisher = [[Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council]] | access-date = 23 June 2018}}</ref>
* [[Roncq]], [[Nord (French department)|Nord]], [[Hauts-de-France]], France
* [[Bramsche]], [[Lower Saxony]], Germany

==Geography==
[[File:View from Watty Lane, Todmorden, (July 2010) geograph.jpg|thumb|right|A view of Gauxholme & Walsden from Watty Lane.]]
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
Other villages and towns in the [[Upper Calder Valley]] include [[Hebden Bridge]] and [[Mytholmroyd]]. The territory of the [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] of Todmorden also extends to cover [[Eastwood, West Yorkshire|Eastwood]], [[Walsden]], [[Cornholme]], [[Mankinholes]], [[Lumbutts]], Robinwood, Lydgate, Portsmouth, Shade, [[Stansfield, West Yorkshire|Stansfield]], Dobroyd, Ferney Lee, Gauxholme and Cross Stone.

Medieval Todmorden had consisted of the [[Township (England)|townships]] of Langfield and [[Stansfield, West Yorkshire|Stansfield]] in Yorkshire, and Todmorden/Walsden section of the greater township of [[Hundersfield]] in the Ancient Parish of Rochdale, Lancashire. The township of Todmorden and Walsden was created in 1801 by the union of the older villages of Todmorden and [[Walsden]].

==Economy==
[[File:Weaving shed, Queen Street Mill - geograph.org.uk - 680867.jpg|thumb|right|A typical [[weaving shed]] at [[Queen Street Mill]] Textile Museum, Burnley]]
Heavy industry is now part of Todmorden's history, not its present. The industrial chimneys have largely gone and the remaining [[Mill (grinding)|mills]] have mostly been converted for other purposes. The town's industrial base is much reduced (at one time Todmorden had the largest weaving shed in the world).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/latest-news/secrets-of-pioneering-mill-trickle-out-during-flood-work-1-3756728 |title=Secrets of pioneering mill trickle out during flood work |work=Yorkshire Evening Post|accessdate=4 November 2019}}</ref> Todmorden also services the local rural area and attracts visitors through its [[Todmorden Markets|market]] (indoor and outdoor), various events, heritage and the local Pennine countryside. It has for centuries been considered the safest accessible route directly across the Pennines.

===Nightlife===
Pubs in the town centre include the Duke of York,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/HAL/1076/duke-of-york-todmorden|title=Duke Of York, Todmorden|website=whatpub.com|accessdate=16 April 2024}}</ref> the Wellington,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/HAL/1336/wellington-todmorden|title=Wellington, Todmorden|website=whatpub.com|accessdate=16 April 2024}}</ref> and the Fox.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/HAL/10112/pub-todmorden|title=Pub, Todmorden|website=whatpub.com|accessdate=16 April 2024}}</ref> [[The Golden Lion]] is a renowned live music venue, with its own vinyl-only record label.<ref name="TYP-GL">{{cite news |last1=Blackmore |first1=Jeremey |title=The Golden Lion, Todmorden: The humble Yorkshire pub that's proving to be a magnet for stars including Jarvis Cocker |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/the-golden-lion-todmorden-the-humble-yorkshire-pub-thats-proving-to-be-a-magnet-for-stars-including-jarvis-cocker-3956334 |access-date=12 September 2023 |work=The Yorkshire Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Himelfield |first1=Dave |title=Yorkshire landlady's life from modern-day slave to making a struggling town cool and attracting A-list DJs |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/yorkshire-landladys-life-modern-day-26690523 |access-date=12 September 2023 |work=YorkshireLife}}</ref>

The White Hart [[Wetherspoons]] at Station Approach was offered for sale in September 2023 and ceased trading, after being sold, in March 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/business/calderdale-wetherspoons-closes-down-after-pub-sale-completed-4555858|title=Calderdale Wetherspoons closes down after pub sale completed|accessdate=16 April 2024}}</ref> It reopened in May 2024 under the custodianship of the Mountain Pub Company.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 May 2024 |title=Former Wetherspoons pub in Calderdale town reopens under new ownership |url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/business/former-wetherspoons-pub-in-calderdale-town-reopens-under-new-ownership-4613162 |access-date=17 March 2025 |website=Halifax Courier }}</ref>

The town has a number of independent pubs and restaurants, offering East Asian, Pakistani, English Pub fare and Greek menus.

==Landmarks==
[[File:Todmorden Town Hall.jpg|thumb|right|[[Todmorden Town Hall]]]]
[[File:Todmorden Town Hall Interior.jpg|thumb|right|Todmorden Town Hall interior]]
[[Todmorden Town Hall]], which was designed in the [[Neoclassical architecture|Neo-Classical style]], dominates the centre of the town. The building straddles the Walsden Water, a tributary of the River Calder, and was situated in both Lancashire and Yorkshire until the administrative county boundary was moved on 1 January 1888. Designed by John Gibson of Westminster, this imposing building has a northern end which is semi-circular. One interesting external feature of the town hall is the pediment to the front elevation, which reflects the fact that it straddled the boundary as it depicts the main industries of the two counties. The fine carved stonework has two central female figures on a pedestal. The left-hand sculpture represents Lancashire (cotton spinning and weaving industries), and the right-hand one Yorkshire (wool manufacturing, engineering and agriculture).<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Todmorden Town Hall|num=1228980|access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Todmorden Market Hall (29th August 2010).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Todmorden Market Hall]]
Todmorden has the look of a [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] mill town. Other notable buildings include [[Dobroyd Castle]] (completed in 1869), now used as a residential activity centre for schoolchildren; the [[Edwardian era|Edwardian]] Hippodrome Theatre, and the [[Grade I listed]] [[Todmorden Unitarian Church]] (built 1865–1869). Dobroyd Castle, the town hall and the [[Todmorden Unitarian Church|Unitarian church]] were all built at the behest of [[John Fielden]] and his sons and designed by [[John Gibson (architect)|John Gibson]], who had been a member of [[Charles Barry]]'s team at the [[Palace of Westminster|Houses of Parliament]]. Pre-Victorian buildings include two 18th&nbsp;century [[pub]]s; Todmorden Old Hall, a [[Grade II* listed]] manor house ([[Elizabethan architecture|Elizabethan]]) in the centre of town, and St. Mary's Church which dates from 1476.

Todmorden is situated alongside the [[Pennine Way]], [[Pennine Bridleway]], [[Mary Towneley Loop]] and [[Calderdale Way]] and is popular for outdoor activities such as [[walking]], [[fell running]], [[mountain biking]] and [[bouldering]]. Its attractions include canals and locks, a park containing a sports centre, an outdoor skateboard park, tennis courts, a golf course and a cricket ground. There are wooded areas around the town and cafés and restaurants.
The Hippodrome Theatre shows films as well as putting on live performances. The town has a small toy and model museum, a library and a tourist information centre, along with independent retailers. Annual events include a carnival, agricultural show, beer festival, music festival and the traditional Easter [[Pace Egg plays]].

[[File:Todmorden Unitarian Church - geograph.org.uk - 1013268.jpg|thumb|right|[[Todmorden Unitarian Church]]]]
{{refimprove|paragraph|date=December 2023}}
Todmorden is home to many churches and chapels that serve the town and surrounding villages/hamlets. One notable church is the Grade I listed [[Todmorden Unitarian Church]].<ref name=images>{{NHLE |num= 1228988|desc= The Unitarian Church|accessdate= 3 December 2023}}</ref> Its spire is the tallest landmark in the town and surrounding area due to being on a hill. It continues to serve as a religious and civic centre. Other churches include the Central Methodist Church, St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Roomfield Baptist Church and [[St Mary's Church, Todmorden|St Mary's Church]]. 

Centre Vale Park in Todmorden is the setting for several pieces of local art, including tree carvings by the sculptor John Adamson,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treesculptor.co.uk/ |title=index |publisher=Treesculptor.co.uk |date=27 July 2012 |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref> and an iconic bandstand. The bandstand is unique in construction and is designed in an arc shape because this gives it better acoustics. It opened in 1914, and in July 2019 was condemned to be demolished by Calderdale Borough Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pavilionsformusic.co.uk/news-and-updates|title=News and Updates 2019|access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref> A campaign by local activists resulted in the bandstand being granted grade II listed status by Historic England in January 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/item/611/|title=PRESS RELEASE: Listing Success! Threatened Bandstand Listed Grade II|access-date=13 August 2022}}</ref> and in March 2022 funding was accepted by Calderdale Council for a project to improve Centre Vale Park, including the bandstand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/politics/funding-totaling-ps366m-for-these-calderdale-towns-formally-accepted-by-council-3633624|title=Funding totaling £36.6m for these Calderdale towns formally accepted by council|date=30 March 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022}}</ref>  Also in the park are the reconstructed remains of Centre Vale Mansion, next to [[Todmorden War Memorial]] in the Garden of Remembrance, and nearby there is a sculpture of a dog. This was sculpted by local sculptor David Wynne<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidwynne.info |title=davidwynne.info |publisher=davidwynne.info |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref> in 2005, and was cast in steel at the local Todmorden foundry Weir Minerals. It was donated to the park by the sculptor and the foundry, but installation was delayed for several years due to the extensive flood alleviation works. In 2011, the dog was featured on an episode of [[Derren Brown]]'s ''[[List of Derren Brown shows#Derren Brown: The Experiments (2011)|The Experiments]]''. Brown spread a rumour that the dog was lucky; it then gained a reputation for bringing luck to anyone that touched it. During the [[First World War]] the mansion was used as a military hospital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~todmordenandwalsden/ww1memorial.htm|title=ww1memorial|website=freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com}}</ref> Centre Vale Park has hosted a parkrun since 9 March 2019.

The {{convert|120|ft|m|adj=on|abbr=off|-1}} [[Stoodley Pike]] monument (built 1814 and rebuilt in 1854) stands atop the {{convert|1300|ft|m|adj=on|abbr=off|-1}} hill of the same name. It commemorates the defeat of [[Napoleon]] and the surrender of [[Paris]]. It is a prominent feature of Todmorden's moors, and is a landmark on the [[Pennine Way]].

==Media==
Todmorden has been used as a location for the 1980s BBC TV police drama ''[[Juliet Bravo]]'', Territorial Army series ''[[All Quiet on the Preston Front]]'', parts of ''[[The League of Gentlemen]]'', BBC TV miniseries ''[[Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (TV serial)|Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit]]'', the BBC1 series ''[[Life on Mars (British TV series)|Life on Mars]]'', a town in the book Spooks Blood and a [[My Summer of Love|film adaptation]] of the novel ''[[My Summer of Love (novel)|My Summer of Love]]''. The BBC One crime drama series ''[[Happy Valley (TV series)|Happy Valley]]'', written by [[Sally Wainwright]] (who grew up in nearby Sowerby Bridge<ref name=YorkshirePost-ScottBailey-2011 >{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/community/nostalgia/sally-wainwright-my-yorkshire-1-3453120 |title=Sally Wainwright: My Yorkshire |newspaper=[[Yorkshire Post]] | date=13 June 2011|access-date=5 October 2014}}</ref>), is filmed in and around the town, amongst other locations. In the 1980s, the town was used for two consecutive episodes of BBC fashion series The Clothes Show.

Todmorden featured in the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] paranormal show ''Strange but True'' which in their pilot episode from May 1993 investigated the UFO claims in the Todmorden area. The programme included a closed surgery in which [[Harold Shipman]] worked for a number of years, as well as the town hall (haunted by a grey lady), and Oddfellows Hall (known as Baxter's bar), which is haunted by a builder who died in the construction of the building in 1811.

In February 2010, Todmorden featured in the [[BBC]] Radio 4 programme ''Costing the Earth: The New Diggers''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qbz09|title=The New Diggers, Costing the Earth - BBC Radio 4|website=BBC}}</ref> Members of a guerrilla gardening group spoke about reclaiming unused land for growing vegetables, how this helps the local community and how it can be a driver for change.

In September 2010, Todmorden received a visit from then-[[Prince Charles]] (his second visit to the town) who came to support Mary Clear's [[Incredible Edible]] project.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

Local TV coverage is provided by [[BBC Yorkshire]] and [[ITV Yorkshire]]. Until 2009, local television was provided by [[BBC North West]] and [[ITV Granada]].

Radio stations that broadcast to Todmorden are [[BBC Radio Leeds]], [[Capital Yorkshire]], [[Heart Yorkshire]] and [[Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire]].

Todmorden's local [[newspaper]] is the ''Todmorden News'' owned by [[Johnston Press]], now merged (since October 2015<ref name=twitter-todnews-merger>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TodCivicSociety/status/652896010243588097|title=@todcivicsociety twitter|date=10 October 2015|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>) with the ''Hebden Bridge Times'' from the neighbouring town by the same publisher.

''[[Singletrack (magazine)|Singletrack]]'', a national [[mountain biking]] magazine, is based in Todmorden.

==Sport==
===Cricket===
[[Todmorden Cricket Club]] has existed since 1837 and currently play at Centre Vale in the town.<ref name="HCTodCC">{{cite news|title=Focus on - Todmorden|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/focus-on-todmorden-1-1986908|access-date=2 August 2016|work=Halifax Courier|date=10 August 2007}}</ref> They are the only Yorkshire team in the [[Lancashire League (cricket)|Lancashire League]].<ref name="TodCC">{{cite web|title=Todmorden|url=http://lancashireleague.com/Clubs/LLTODMORCD.html|website=Lanchsire League|access-date=2 August 2016}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Todmorden}}
===Science and engineering===
[[John Mitchell Nuttall]] (1890–1958) was a Todmorden-born physicist remembered for the [[Geiger–Nuttall law]].

[[John Ramsbottom (engineer)|John Ramsbottom]] (1814–1897) was a mechanical and railway engineer and inventor from the town.

====Nobel Prize winners====
Todmorden has two [[Nobel Prize]] winners: Prof. [[John Cockcroft|Sir John Cockcroft
]] (Physics) and Prof. [[Geoffrey Wilkinson|Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson]] (Chemistry).  Despite 24 years' difference in their birth dates, both attended Todmorden Grammar School (now [[Todmorden High School]] with the prior grammar school building now demolished) and both had the same science master, Luke Sutcliffe.

===Politics and law===
[[John Fielden]] (1784–1849), land and factory owner in Todmorden and scion of the town's Fielden family, was a Member of Parliament and national leader of the Ten Hours Campaign for factory reform. He created the 10 hour law, making it so that workers did not have to work almost the whole time they were awake. He also helped to build Centre Vale Park, Todmorden.

[[Samuel Fielden]] (1847–1922), socialist, anarchist and labour activist who was one of the eight convicted in the 1886 [[Haymarket affair]] in Chicago. He was sentenced to death along with six other defendants, but after writing to the Illinois Governor asking for clemency his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in November 1887. He spent six years in prison before being pardoned, along with two other co-defendants, in 1893. He died in Colorado in 1922 and is buried in La Veta (Pioneer) Cemetery, Huerfano County, Colorado alongside his wife and two children.

[[Wilfred Judson]], a justice of the [[Supreme Court of Canada]], was born in and spent his early youth in Todmorden.

[[Rebecca Taylor (politician)|Rebecca Taylor]], [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] for [[Yorkshire and the Humber (European Parliament constituency)|Yorkshire and the Humber]] from 8 March 2012 to 2 July 2014.

===Arts and culture===
Travel writer [[Geoff Crowther]] (1944–2021) was an early and long-time editor of [[BIT (alternative information centre)|BIT Travel Guides]], London from 1972 to 1980.<ref>{{cite web|last=Crowther|first=Ashley|date=24 December 2020|title=Before Lonely Planet, BIT Guides Ruled|url=https://www.ashleycrowther.org/post/before-lonely-planet-bit-guides-ruled|access-date=29 April 2021|website=Ashley Crowther|publisher=Ashley Crowther / Ashley Crowther}}</ref> The BIT Travel Guides were some of the first guidebooks to cover the overland [[Hippie trail]] from Europe to Asia and Australia<ref>Paul Collins, [http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2008/08/baboons_are_simply_too_small_for_leopard_bait.html "Baboons Are Simply Too Small for Leopard Bait" (item 10)], ''Slate'', 4 August 2008.</ref> Crowther went on to be a prolific author for [[Lonely Planet]] (1977–1995) and played a key role in the early days of the company. He wrote the first editions of Africa on a Shoestring, South America on a Shoestring and contributed to the first edition of the India on a Shoestring.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wheeler|first=Tony|date=21 April 2021|title=Farewell Geoff Crowther|url=https://tonywheeler.com.au/farewell-geoff-crowther/|access-date=29 April 2021|website=Tony Wheeler}}</ref><ref>Carole Cadwalladr, [https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2007/oct/07/escape.travelbooks "Journey's end for the guidebook gurus?"], ''The Observer'' Travel, 7 October 2007.</ref> In 2016, the British Library in their 2016 exhibition 'Maps & the 20th Century' showcased Crowther's hand drawn travel maps<ref>{{cite web|last=Calder|first=Simon|date=29 April 2021|title=GEOFF CROWTHER: THE LIFE OF 'THE PATRON SAINT OF TRAVELLERS IN THE THIRD WORLD'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/lonely-planet-geoff-crowther-guidebooks-b1838557.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/lonely-planet-geoff-crowther-guidebooks-b1838557.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription|url-status=live|access-date=29 April 2021|work=The Independent}}</ref> and his research journals for the first edition of South America on a Shoestring. He died in Northern New South Wales, Australia on 13 April 2021.

[[Fred Lawless]],  [[Liverpool]] born theatre playwright has a house in Todmorden; he was also a writer for the [[BBC One]] TV series ''[[EastEnders]]'', as well as several other TV and radio programmes.

Todmorden actress [[Claire Benedict]] has appeared in UK TV shows ''[[Waking the Dead (TV series)|Waking the Dead]]'', ''[[Prime Suspect]]'', ''[[Unforgiven (TV series)|Unforgiven]]'', ''[[Holby City]]'', ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]'', ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'', ''[[Grange Hill]]'', ''[[The Bill]]'' and the ''[[Lenny Henry|Lenny Henry Show]]''. She featured in the films ''[[Merisairas]]'' (1996), ''[[Felicia's Journey (film)|Felicia's Journey]]'' (1999) and ''[[Jupiter Ascending]]'' (2015) and has had numerous theatre roles, including work for the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. On BBC radio she is the voice of Precious Ramotswe in ''[[The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency]]''.

Todmorden-born actor [[Dicken Ashworth]] appeared in ''Coronation Street'' and ''Brookside''.

[[Tony Booth (actor)|Tony Booth]] (1931-2017), actor, father of [[Cherie Blair]] and father-in-law of former Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]], resided in Todmorden.

The Bayes family of artists were prominent in the 19th and 20th&nbsp;centuries. They were: Alfred Bayes (1832–1909), painter; [[Walter Bayes]] (1869–1856), painter; [[Gilbert Bayes]] (1872–1952), sculptor; and [[Jessie Bayes]] (1876–1970), painter (some of her work can be seen at Lumbutts Methodist Church, Lumbutts, Todmorden).

[[William Holt (writer)|William Holt]] (1897–1977) was a writer, painter, political activist, journalist and traveller. William was often seen riding his white horse Trigger around Todmorden and other local areas.

Keyboardist [[Keith Emerson]] (1944–2016), founder member of UK [[progressive rock]] groups [[the Nice]] and [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]], was born in the town while the family was evacuated from the south coast.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hanson|first=Martyn|title=Hang on to a Dream – The Story of the Nice|year=2002|publisher=Helter Skelter Publishing|isbn=1-900924-43-9}}</ref>

[[John Helliwell]], another Todmorden-born musician, was saxophonist in the band [[Supertramp]].

[[Dale Hibbert]], original bassist with the Smiths, author of ''Boy Interrupted''.

[[Geoff Love]] (1917–1991), the big band leader, was born in Todmorden.

[[John Kettley]] (born 1952), the former BBC weatherman, grew up in Todmorden.

[[Tim Benjamin (composer)|Tim Benjamin]] (born 1975), the composer, lives in Todmorden, and the world premiere of his opera ''Emily'' was given at the town's Hippodrome Theatre in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.todmordennews.co.uk/what-s-on/arts-culture-and-entertainment/review-by-john-clarke-haunting-hypnotic-entrancing-emily-1-5847466|title=Review by John Clarke: Haunting, hypnotic, entrancing Emily|website=www.todmordennews.co.uk}}</ref>

===Sport===
England Test cricketers [[Peter Lever]] (born 1940) and [[Derek Shackleton]] (1924–2007) were originally from Todmorden.

===Other===
[[Harold Shipman]], the [[general practitioner]] (GP) who is believed to have killed over 200 patients in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, claimed at least one of his victims while working as a doctor at the Abraham Ormerod Medical Centre between March 1974 and September 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-shipman-inquiry.org.uk/6r_page.asp?ID=3401 |title=The Shipman Enquiry |access-date=15 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413134928/http://www.the-shipman-inquiry.org.uk/6r_page.asp?ID=3401 |archive-date=13 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjy7BAeDwE4  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/yjy7BAeDwE4| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Abraham Ormerod Medical Centre |publisher=YouTube |date=5 November 2010 |access-date=20 January 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His first known victim, 70-year-old Eva Lyons, lived at Keswick Close in the town. Shipman had initially been charged with 15 murders committed around [[Hyde, Greater Manchester|Hyde]], [[Greater Manchester]], between 1995 and 1998 when he went on trial in late 1999, but Lyons was only identified as a victim of Shipman when the inquiry into his crimes was completed in July 2002 by [[Janet Smith (judge)|Dame Janet Smith]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2138888.stm | work=BBC News | title=Shipman's 215 victims | date=13 January 2004 | access-date = 20 January 2014}}</ref> Shipman was found guilty on 31 January 2000 and hanged himself at HM Wakefield Prison on 13 January 2004.

==See also==
* [[Listed buildings in Todmorden (inner area)]]
* [[Listed buildings in Todmorden (outer areas)]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |first1=Nicolaisen |last1=W. F. H. |last2=Gelling |first2=M. |last3=Richards |first3=M. |title=The Names of Towns and Cities in Britain |publisher=B. T. Batsford Ltd |year=1970 |isbn=0-7134-0113-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/namesoftownsciti0000nico }}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* Birch, R. ''A Way of Life'', E.J.Morton Publishers, 1972. {{ISBN|0-901598-58-5}}
* Birch, R. ''Todmorden Album 4'', The Woodlands Press, 2006.
* Cass, E. ''The Pace-Egg Plays of the Calder Valley'', London: FLS Books, 2004.
* Heywood, M., Heywood, F. and Jennings, B.  ''A History of Todmorden'', Smith Settle Ltd, 1996.
* Holden, J. ''A Short History of Todmorden'', Manchester University Press, 1912.
* Jennings, B. ''Pennine Valley: History of Upper Calderdale'' Dalesman Publishing Co Ltd, 1992.
* Law, B.  ''The Fieldens of Todmorden: A Nineteenth Century Business Dynasty'', Littleborough: George Kelsall, I995.
* MacDonald, M. ''The World From Rough Stones'', Random House, 1975. (A novel set during the building of the Summit Tunnel).
* Malcolm, F., and Heywood, F. ''Cloth Caps and Cricket Crazy'', Upper Calder Valley Publications, 2004.
* Paull, J., [http://environmentportal.in/files/file/FM_27_3-Paull.pdf "Incredible Edible Todmorden: Eating the Street"], Farming Matters, 2011, 27(3):28–29
* Wilkinson, R. ''Todmorden Buses: A Century of Service'', Nostalgia Road Publications, 2006 {{ISBN|1-903016-68-1}}
* Paull, J., Please pick me': How Incredible Edible Todmorden is repurposing the commons for open source food and agricultural biodiversity. Case Study 10 in [http://www.bioversityinternational.org/index.php?id=244&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=3929&cHash=fe6914048c5ff0832a5e726ccc60621d "Diversifying food and diets: Using agricultural biodiversity to improve nutrition and health"]

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Todmorden}}
* [http://www.todmordencouncil.org.uk/ Todmorden Town Council]

{{West Yorkshire|state=collapsed}}
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[[Category:Todmorden| ]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Geography of Calderdale]]
[[Category:Market towns in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Towns in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Wards of Calderdale]]