Brighouse and District Heritage Newseum No. 12 March 2021

BRIGHOUSE & DISTRICT

Heritage Newseum

Issue 12 Spring 2021

Edited and Published by Chris Helme

This wonderful photograph was taken almost 70 years ago. The two coaches were hired for
this special day out from A. & J.R.Davison, a familiar coach hire business in Brighouse for
many years. The coaches are parked in what used to be Dale Street, outside what was

the Brighouse Magistrates Court and formerly the St Paul’s Church Sunday School, and
now a car park. The building is now the Salvation Army Citadel..

The children are all members of the Brighouse Crippled Childrens’ Society and this was
the children’s annual outing. I cringe at the very sound of that name but political correctness
was not around 70 years ago. Whilst cringing at the name, the work and help given to these

and many other children was excellent and appreciated not only by the children but their
parents and relatives as well.

It has been suggested the name was changed to Handicapped Children c1974, and now it
has gone all together. When did this society close? This remains a mystery, but if any reader
can help with the answer please contact the editor by telephone at: 078547-55756 or my email:

[email protected]

© Christopher D. Helme (2021), Tower House, Holme Mews, Wakefield Road,
Lightcliffe, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 8TY. This publication is copyright and apart from any

fair dealing for the purpose of study, resear ch, criticism, review or as other wise
permitted under the Copyright Act, no part including text and/or photographs and/
or other images may be reproduced by any process without written permission. All

enquiries and payments should be directed to the author and publisher.

Frontispiece: With no community events held either indoors or out doors last year, or likely to
be this year either, this photo takes you back to happier days at the Brighouse Charity Gala

procession through Commercial Street on June 26, 1971.

(Photograph courtesy of Stuart Sands)

BRIGHOUSE & DISTRICT

HERITAGE NEWSEUM

From the Editor Issue 12 Spring 2021

Welcome to the 12th 1 Notes from the Editor.
issue of the m a ga zin e 2 Whilst the World was on the Brink of War.
and what is the 3. Two pieces of Kirklees Hall history.
third anniversary 4 End of an era at Rastrick Grammar School.
of the publication. I 5 Jubilee Recipe Book Bethel Church 1956.
would like to take 6 A Gift for the Village.
this o p p o rt u n it y t o 7. Whiteley’s Newsagents.
thank all those who have s u p p o r t e d t h e 8 Ship building in Brighouse.
magazine since the first edition back 9 When Hove Edge was Top of the Pops.
in 2018. The shops where it is sold 10. Notes from the Council Chamber 1971/72.
often tell me that customers will call in 11 Special Celebrations at Rastrick.
asking when the next issue is out, 12 Derek Garside — A Brass Band Legend.
and often ask to have one saved. 14 Bradford Road 125 years ago.
Some customers inquire if they can 15 A Lasting Memory — Clifton.
purchase an earlier issue. All back 16 Commemorative Queen Victoria mug 1887.
issues are available. 17 The Old Brodleians Big Day in 1957.
18 Community Focus.
The magazine has proved to be a 19 In the Public Eye — Samuel Edgar Hirst.
success and the number of copies sold
and the number of subscribers is 20. What do you want to do when you grow up?
growing steadily with each issue. 21 The Floods of 1946.
22 The Ladies make their Mark in 1966.
I am always pleased to receive 23 A Letter from The Netherlands.
memories, stories and photographs
which readers would like to share with a Remember to look at our website where you
wider readership through the magazine. can also contact the editor and you are
able to purchase various local books, including
The price of the magazine has been some that are no longer in print, through the
maintained at £3.75 since the first
issue appeared three years ago. online shop, where PayPal is available:
However, with the rising costs, the www.chrishelme-brighouse.org.uk
m aga zin e m u s t no w be inc rease d by
20p to £3.95. Subscription costs, for four
issues, will rise from £21 to £22.60 and
include the 2021 increase in postage.
I hope you will continue to enjoy
reading the Newseum.

Chris Helme

1

Whilst the World was on the Brink of War — What about back Home?

The spark that precipitated the First World War took about present day serious accidents on the same

place at 1.15pm on Sunday, June 28, 1914. This road when speed was a contributory factor?.

day was described as a typical sunny day in the At the end of the month, the 16th Annual Southowram
Balkans, but this was also the day when Archduke Old Folks Treat took place at the St Anne’s Schoolroom.
Franz Ferdinand
When did Southowram
and his wife
hold its last Treat?
Sophie were
perhaps one of you know
assassinated in
the answer.
Sarajevo by Serbian
Coley Church was in
nationalist Gavrillo
a muted celebratory
Principe, a member
mood following the
of the Black Hand
installation of its new
terrorist organisa-
tion. stained glass window
in memory of the late
The assassination
Sarah Ann Watkinson.
resulted in Austria-
It was unveiled by
Hungary's declaration
her husband Samuel
of war against
Serbia. This caused The latest branch of Brighouse Co-op opened in 1914. Watkinson. Some years
ago, I visited the Coley
countries allied with Austria-Hungary and countries
allied with Serbia to declare war on each other, Church cemetery and found many of the Watkinson
family are interred there with many of the family
starting World War One.
members having very large imposing headstones.

A state of war was declared with Germany on the Two local butchers died and one of them at a
evening of August 4. King George issued a call to comparatively young age, both had shop premises
arms. Mr Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, in Commercial Street. David Walshaw had his shop
had the Navy on standby, and took immediate for almost 30 years at number 21, a shop which in
action to secure all warships being built for other recent times sold e-cigarettes,. He was 78 years.
states in British shipyards. Whereas George Clayton at the age of 48 died

As Britain stood on the verge of the most terrible suddenly at his home in Bracken Road. His shop

war in history to that date, the country basked in a was at 4, Commercial Street, which today is

glorious summer with the newspaper front pages Webster’s Insurance Brokers.

devoted to other stories. In pubs and workplaces, Without doubt the saddest event of the month

men talked optimistically that the conflict would be involved a middle aged married lady in Southowram,
over by Christmas. As did the Germans, who had who must have been in a desperate situation when
planned for a rapid deployment and crushing surge she stuffed handkerchiefs down her throat and
through France. There was to be no quick victory for committed suicide.
either side, and within weeks the horror of trench
Our featured photo is the most impressive event
warfare had started.
of July 1914 when the another branch of the
But what was happening in July here in Brighouse
whilst these events were unfolding. Brighouse Co-op was opened at the junction of
Smithy Carr Lane and Dewhirst Road.

July opened up with a serious motor vehicle The photograph shows the shop at its best on this
accident in Highmoor Lane at Clifton, when what very prominent corner. Whilst I am sure anyone
was described as a very valuable car was wrecked, living nearby or walking past the premises will have
and the two occupants were taken off to the Halifax noticed that it was a former shop, how many will
Infirmary. Speed was a factor, and now more than have noticed the date 1914 at the top of the front-
100 years later, how many times have we heard age?

2

Two pieces of Kirklees Hall History, Where are they now?

Henry Robinson was a postman with an interest in It arrived back at Clifton in January 1940.

photography and was an early member of the The retained Phaeton was renovated to the
Brighouse Photographic Society, which was started highest standard possible and took a Mr Welland
in 1895. four months to complete the task.

He lived in Clifton and was often seen out and After all these years the Kirklees Phaeton is still
about with his camera at every opportunity, at the Science Museum
particularly around Kirklees and is brought o u t o n
Hall, so much so that he f u l l s h o w regularly in
was eventually considered the Road Transport
and spoke of as being Gallery. If you visit
the unofficial photographer London after the virus
for the Armytage family. problems are a thing of

The smaller of the two is the past take the

called a Phaeton Carriage opportunity of visiting

or a ‘Crane Neck’ Phaeton the museum and take a

and was a light two-seater look at the Kirklees

model. It was designed to The Crane Neck Phaeton carriage. exhibit.

be driven by its owner rather The second one seems

than having to depend on a coachman. This to have had a varied history after its return from its
carriage dates back to the 1760s and was considered trip to London. Firstly it was stored away until 1947
to be a ’sporty’ model in its time. The Phaeton was
developed through the 18th century and by the late when it was once again offered to the Science
19th century was the largest and most varied Museum.

model of carriage in However, owing to its

general use at the time. then serious deterioration

It was just before the The High Flyer Phaeton carriage. they declined the offer,
Second World War that although it was consid-
this particular carriage was ered to be a very rare
brought to the attention of carriage. The ‘High Flyer’
the London Science Museum. Phaeton, which had
It came to light because been dated from about
Sir George Armytage was 1760 was even
intending to place two considered to be very
Phaetons up for auction. similar to a one owned
by the Prince of Wales,

This was such a rare later George VI.

opportunity that even the museum’s director The story moves on 20 or so years when on
Mr Mackintosh travelled North to Kirklees Hall to March 2, 1983, it was sold at public auction in
see them for himself. He arrived on December 3, Reading.
1938, and was so delighted with them that on the
January 2, 1939, they were delivered to the Museum. Research suggests that the proud new owner
However, it was decided after their thorough spent a small fortune renovating it. Whether they
inspection that the smaller of the two carriages had overspent on the renovations my
would be renovated and kept as a permanent research does not reveal. However, some time
museum piece on a loan basis. Sadly, the second, after the work was completed it was re-offered at
a ‘High Flyer’ Phaeton, was considered to be too far auction when it was sold for more than £16,500
gone and was decided that it should be sent back and is now I understand, to be in a carriage
to Kirklees Hall after various drawings were made. museum in Belgium.

3

The End of an Era at Rastrick Grammar School

Thursday, December 20, 1923, was a sad day for With the outbreak of the First World War the

the old Rastrick Grammar School, not only for the magazine reported more of what was happening in

staff but for all the students the war and in particular about

and 'old boys' as well. It was the Old Boys of the school.

the last Speech Day for the Sadly, the news and numbers
Headmaster the Rev. Edgar of Old Boys being killed in action
Norman Langham, M.A. grew. By midsummer of 1917, the

'Daddy' Langham, as he number was 17.By Christmas the

was affectionately known, number had increased to 23 and

succeeded Thomas Storr as 27 by the time the Armistice was

Headmaster in 1891. Mr announced. The total number of

Langham was appointed to Old Boys who were killed in the

Rastrick from Ripon Grammar war was 31. There was also one

School where he had been of the Assistant Masters, Louis

the Science Master from Ackroyd, who had taught at the

1886 until his appointment at school from 1914 to 1915. He

R a strick. enlisted into the Royal Engineers

The latter days of Thomas and joined the forces in France
Storr's headship saw the on August 2, 1915 and was
student numbers fall from 75 reported killed in action on
in 1885 to 42 in 1891 with eight of those being girls. October 3, 1915, aged 24.

The new headmaster was not happy about the A total of 217 Rastrick Old Boys served in the

mixed sexes at his new school and as it was report- forces with 158 of them keeping in touch with the

ed at the time, the girls were " speedily eliminated ". school either through letters or visits. This was

During the 32 years Mr. Langham was at the school testimony to the bond that existed with the school
he built up a team spirit amongst the school's and its Old Boys at the time of such an international
sportsmen. It was always his maxim that sport and crisis.

drill went together, helping the boys to have sound In 1921, a book was published privately dedicated

bodies which were essential for a sound mind. to the memory of the 31 Old Boys and the one

His final Speech Day gathering was always going Assistant Master who sacrificed their lives in the
to be something special, there was no chance that Great War 1914—1918. I understand about 100
he and his wife would be able to just leave. The copies were printed, with Rastrick High School having
speeches began with a review of his career at a copy and I have one. I wonder what has happened
Rastrick by Mr Thornton, the Chairman of the to the remaining 98.

school governors. It was in 1909 that Langham introduced the

Throughout the Langham headship, the number of 'House' system which he believed was a means of
enthusing students to play harder for their own
students going on to take up University or College
sporting team whether they were in Red, Blue or
had steadily risen year after year.
Green House. Each boy had to pay one shilling or
In July 1908, the school magazine, ’The
five pence per term, House Masters were appointed,
Rastrickian’, appeared for the first time. Initially it and House matches were organised.
was published three times a year, Christmas, Easter
In 1913, the school won for the first time the West
and Summer. In 1913 this was reduced to two
editions a year. The magazine was largely made up Riding Secondary School's gymnastic competition
against 28 other schools. Following the opening of the
of articles and bits from other publications but new Brighouse swimming baths in Mill Royd Street,
gradually it included more of the school’s activities swimm ing instruct ion was introduced into the
throughout the school year.
school's curriculum.

4

For the first time in his time the number of pupils more than trebled and

the school's history, the school's premises more than doubled in size; its

as far as anyone academic reputation was higher than it had ever

could remember, been, it had developed a powerful sporting tradition

the school was and it made an incalculable contribution to the life

allowed to start at of the community by preparing so many well-

9.30am the morning qualified and responsible men to play leading roles

after that special in that community's professional and commercial

Speech Day. Mr life".

Langham read out Brighouse Methodists
the prayers for the Jubilee Bazaar Recipe Book 1956
last time and then

handed over the On November 1st and 3rd, 1956, the Bethel
assembly to Mr Methodist Church held a

Robinson, the Jubilee Bazaar. This gave

French Master. Mr the Church the opportunity
Langham then left the room to return several of raising much-needed

minutes later with his wife and two daughters. Then funds. One of their efforts

followed numerous presentations and thanks for included publishing its own

the work both he and Mrs Langham had done for recipe book. This involved

both the school and the many boys who had been having as many of the

under their wing during the past 32 years. church members and

As Mr Robinson gave a final thanks the assembly some of their friends to

broke out into tremendous cheering the like of enter a recipe for this novel way of raising money.

which had never been heard before. The book contains 400 recipes and several what it

The Rev. Langham and his wife Katy, who had calls handy hints about the home.

been married for 35 years at the time of his retirement, Some of the recipes were submitted by some

were leaving the district to live on the South Coast familiar Brighouse names: Mrs (Eric). A. Leach of

of England. Cyril Norman Langham, his son, born Hove Edge entered a Coffee Cake; Mrs (Geoffrey)

in 1890, had been a scholar at Rastrick between Farrar entered her Coffee Glace Icing for the top of

the years 1898 and 1908 and then went to Emmanuel a Coffee walnut cake, Mrs N.M.Pilling, Brighouse,

College, Cambridge where he gained his B.A. Hons entered her recipe for what sounds to be some

Natural Science degree and was later appointed as wonderful scones; Mrs E.S.Metcalfe at Cromwell

one of the resident masters at Ilkley Grammar Cottage Farm, sent in her recipe for Brown Betty’s,

School. In 1957, after serving more than 40 years which must be served with piping hot custard; Mrs

on the staff of St Paul's School, London he retired (George) Howe gave her recipe for Leicester

to 52, Victoria Drive, Eastbourne the home of his Pudding; and Mrs J. Bickerdike, Brighouse, has a

two unmarried sisters, he died in 1974. recipe for Onions Fritters in the Savoury section.

Mr Langham's successor was another Cambridge One of the handy hints reminds readers to always

man, J.Morgan Lewis M.A., who was to be the polish new shoes before wearing them. This will

headmaster until 1947. It was inevitable that whoever prevent them from being spotted with rain. There is

took over would have a difficult time until they were even one recipe in the miscellaneous section

able to firmly establish themselves and whilst highlighting to the reader ’How to Cook a Husband’.

mourning the old a new era had to begin. I am sure with all the advertisements in this

The last word on Rev. Langham must be a quote publication it will have made the Church a lot of

from John R. Harrison’s 1985 history book of money. Even now, after 65 years, there may be a

Rastrick Grammar School. few readers who will remember a member of their

"There is no doubt that Reverend Langham was family entering a recipe for this rare publication.

one of the school's foremost Headmasters. During

5

A Jubilee Gift for the Village

The Ellis Memorial Clock Tower in Norwood Green is when their school would have to close. If they had
now 124 years old. It was given to the community by in earlier times I am sure they would have turned to
Mrs Ephraim Ellis, her
two daughters and their Parish Council for
son Lewis for Queen support. This was an
Victoria’s Diamond organisation that
Jubilee. covered both Coley and
Norwood Green districts.

On that special At the turn of the century,

celebratory day in the local history books

1897, there were leave you in no doubt

races for the children that Mr J.B.Carter, who

and a fine procession had long standing

through the village involvement with local

when all the children government and parish

were encouraged to dress up. And, of course there council affairs, was then considered to be Mr Norwood

was the usual bun fight afterwards. The procession Green or, as one local history book referred to him,

was led by a brass band which made it a real musical as being the uncrowned king of the district.

afternoon. When the band performed a concert Ebenezer Sunday School
everyone had their Jubilee tea.

Charlotte Oates, the The church may have closed and now be confined
local poetess, penned a to the local history books. But all of these children
verse about the event we see here on the steps of the Ebenezer Church,
and having read through Bailiff Bridge could now be in their late 50s.
it you can imagine her
sat on a bench overseeing
the whole event from the
village green and
writing exactly in plain
verse what she saw.

The clock was in I am sure like these children many readers will have
memory of the days attended Sunday School and still have their prized
Ephraim Ellis spent at book for best attendance .
the village school and in
the locality. The tower I am often surprised at the number of these books
was estimated to have originally cost between that turn up at car boot sales and at second-hand book
£600 and £700 which, when you consider that was stalls at local fund raising events, having been
over a century ago, was a tidy sum. discarded as pieces of unwanted rubbish or have
been disposed of in an effort to downsize the contents
Sadly the village school went like many others of their home. These are mementoes of the recipient’s
owing to the falling rolls it was too expensive to childhood, a small part of someone’s family history
keep. I am sure many local residents in Norwood and in time should be passed on to future generations.
Green will have happy memories of their days at
the village school just as the those children would
have had as they walked out of the school and the
doors were closed and locked for the last time .

When this photograph was taken most villagers
could not have imagined that a day would come

6

Whiteley’s Newsagents
‘I’ll Meet you Under the Clock’

Although this corner of Huddersfield Road and for 10 Woodies and an Echo.

Bethel Street is now With it being so
occupied by busy in that section of
Ladbrokes betting Huddersfield Road it
office, to many is understandable
Brighouse residents why Lloyd's Bank
it will always be opened a branch
known as Whiteley's nearby (1875).
Corner.
As the number of
The history books
motor vehicles being
tell us that this
used became the
property was built in
more commonplace it
1864 by Sugden's
is also easy to see
cotton manufacturers.
why the decision was
The first person to
taken to have a
occupy the shop was
pedestrian crossing
a Mr Pinder, who is
almost opposite
described as an
Even today years after it closed many people still refer to this as Whiteley's. The deci-
alchemist, in other Whiteley’s Corner.
sion-makers of the
words, someone who
day would have seen that it was the place everyone
dabbled in pills and potions. Following that business crossed and to put it anywhere else would have
came Mr Duckworth, who ran it for several years. been pointless. The crowds would have still

It was 1892, Fred Whiteley, who had trained as a crossed opposite Whiteley's, crossing or no cross-

cotton spinner, decided to seek new horizons. He ing.

obviously made the right decision, in 1907 he retired Gradually as the mills closed and businesses went
from the shop and left Brighouse to live in Blackpool. into decline there was still the people who lived in

His son Herbert took over the business once dad Police Street and all the other small streets that

had gone to live by the sea and then in 1922 it was branched off Mill Lane. When many of those

taken on by Thomas Henry Whiteley, who moved properties became part of a re-development plan

from Birstall to manage the shop. and destined to be demolished the shortage of

Thomas died in 1948 but the business was to go Whiteley's traditional customers impacted on the
into the safe hands of Fred Whiteley, who was to kind of business the family had run very successfully
become a familiar face to many Brighouse people from 1892.

who called into what had become the family I am sure that like me many boys and girls making

newsagents’ shop. their way to the Albert Cinema's Saturday Star Club

This was a thriving business. Try to imagine the or the Savoy Cinema would call into Whiteley's for
days when the thousands of workers setting off for some sweets and a drink to enjoy whilst watching
work in a morning to the Victoria Mills complex the weekly matinee of cartoons and serials. In the
(where Sainsbury's is today) and all the mills in and late 50s and through to the early 70s the weekly visit
around Huddersfield Road and Mill Royd Street. to watch the silver screen was becoming less
That was before you even got to Birds Royd Lane, popular mainly through the introduction of television.

with all the mills and factories down there. When the It was in the 1920s when Thomas Henry Whiteley
hooter sounded the huge crowds pouring down Hud- started a travel element to the business, a time
dersfield Road to get back home, must have been a when tours of Northern Ireland were very popular.
sight to see many of them calling into Whiteley’s .

7

Gradually the shop became a travel agent in the Ship Building in Brighouse
modern sense and ran for a number of years.
When it closed it was bought by Ladbrokes and Well, I never knew that.
given a complete make over.
Of all the industries I wrote about in my book,
Some readers 'Brighouse at Work', shipbuilding is not one I had
will remember considered when I embarked on researching all
the wooden the industries our town has seen, particularly
figure that was since 1760 with the opening of the canal.
mounted over
the front door, Even though Brighouse is about 60 miles from
Him over Liverpool and almost 70 miles from Hull, ship-
Whiteley's, as it building so far inland does seem a tall order.
was always
referred to by But yes, it is true, Brighouse did make.... well,
the customers. maybe not quite ships in the strict sense of the
It was a figure word but landing craft for wartime use, most
of a pipe- certainly.
smoking
gentleman. These were built by T.W.Helliwell, Birds Royd
Lane, and were called ‘Lessons Learnt’ by the
Although it is Navy. The all-welded craft served our country
many years well during the Second World War.
ago now, the
Fred Whiteley, who took over the last I saw of it
business in 1948. Here he is in was in storage
August 1986. He died in 1992. at B a n k f i e l d
Museum, Halifax.

The clock mounted over the front door would
have been the timepiece all those workers knew to
keep an eye, if they were to get to work before the
morning hooter sounded.

The clock did not work for many years but in 2007 Started in 1870, Helliwell Patent Glazing moved
Ladbroke’s area manager arranged to have the to its current site in Brighouse 10 years later. It
clock repaired and restored to working order. This was during the 1940s that this company, a
followed requests from customers, local residents business more familiar with glazing, turned to the
and one resident in particular, who was concerned production of shipping. The craft they made were
enough to write to Ladbrokes Head Office and told 60ft in length and made ready for dispatch in the
them that was where he used to meet his dates, Brighouse works ready for sailing.
under the clock. It was the meeting place for those
many c o u r t i n g c o u p l e s w h o w o u l d c a l l i n Why Brighouse you might ask? This was during
W hi t e l e y ’ s before going to the cinema. the war years and through repeated bombing in
more vulnerable industrial areas in the country,
Brighouse jewellers Neimantas, in Commercial Brighouse helped by taking on the task of
Street, carried out the work, which included creat- producing these all-welded landing crafts. I have
ing a new frame and re-working the mechanics. no details of how many they produced, but
Sadly, the clock is not working again, and I needless to say through the ingenuity and crafts-
understand it is now beyond repair. The day of manship of our local tradesmen Brighouse
setting your pocket watch to the clock at served our country at its time of need.
Whiteley’s Corner a r e l o n g g o n e . P e r h a p s
as a gesture Ladbroke’s might consider For further details about the book ’Brighouse at
replacing it? Work’ please contact the editor on 01422-205763.

8

When Hove Edge was Top of the Pops

Ganson's pop will mean little to younger readers but Office and was later re-developed for housing. Just

I am sure there will be some who can remember the what prompted William to buy the mineral water

name from their summer Sunday School visits to business at Hove Edge having had no previous

Sunny Vale. To have a bottle of this fizzy pop was experience, I cannot say?

just part of the magic of those annual visits to what In September of 1893, Brighouse gained its
was often referred to as 'the playground of the Borough status and one of the first Councillors to be
north'. appointed was William Ganson. Councillor Ganson

As children the family served on various committees.

which actually started Sunny Vale was started in 1880 but over the
the company would next three years it was developed into the Sunny
have been of little Vale Pleasure Gardens but better known to many of

interest, so who were its visitors as ‘Sunny Bunces’.
the Ganson's?
Just when the Gansons became involved in sell-
William Gottlieb
ing their mineral water to Sunny Vale is not known
Ganson was born on but based on the numbers of people visiting, in the
July 16, 1831, in
early years it has been documented as 300 in 1883
Droylsden, Manchester. and then tens of thousands by the pre-First World
His f a t h e r , J o h n
Emmanuel Ganson, War period, I would imagine Gansons would have
been there from when it first opened.
was born in 1799 in
In the summer of 1897, William Ganson was no
Antigua in the West Indies, whereas his mother
Susanna was born in Littletown, Gomersal. William longer a councillor and spent much of his time at his
home in Hipperholme leaving his sons to look after
was one of nine children.
the business. In January 1904, he died, aged 72.
William’s mother died when he was seven-years-
In 1927 the company was owned by Ernest Sheffield
old but he continued his studies at the Moravian
Day School in Fairfield, Manchester, until he was 10 and during the 1930s local Hove Edge children
years old and then, like many other children of that always referred to the enclosed area around the
time, started working as a half–timer in the same back of Ganson’s as ’Pop Yard’. Abraham Ganson
died in 1940 but by that time the business had
mill as his father worked.
At the age of 21, he moved to Ashton-under-Lyne moved into new premises on Half House Lane.
In 1949 Ernest Sheffield sold the business, he
where he met his future wife Caterina. In 1853 in
Droylsden, he and Caterina Barlowe were married, died in 1957. In later years, the Half House Lane
after which they moved house several times around site was used by Broadoak Garage which in those
days was owned by Jack Wainwright.
the Derbyshire area.

In 1864 they moved to Hadfield, in South Yorkshire, In later years, I am sure many will remember
and then in 1867 they moved to Brighouse for the when it was used by the Corona Soft Drinks
first time. In 1868, their son Abraham was born in Company, in the days when their wagons would be
Brighouse but not long after they were on the move seen weekly in and around the communities and
again, this time to Manningham in Bradford. There kids could be heard shouting to their parents ‘…Pop
must have been something special about Brighouse m a n ' s e r e , c a n w e a v e s o m e … ’ . ? T h e
C o r o n a company changed hands a number of
in those days because by 1885 the family were
back and had become the owners of a small mineral times and by the late 1990s, the brand name
finally came to an end.
water business at Hove Edge.

It was situated next to the Joiners Arms, a building The door to door pop man was one of many
different street traders that would come calling.
that in later years became the Hove Edge Post

9

Flashes Notes from the Council Chamber 1971/72 Flashes

September 15, 1899, at Baths, Entertainment and Property Standing Sub June 24, 1887, at Bailiff
Brighouse Magistrates Committee meeting February 14, 1972. The Town Bridge the Queen’s
Court Edgar France, Clerk submitted a letter received from the British Jubilee was celebrated
boatman and George and European Wrestling Association. The Association by a tea given to all the
France, coal merchant would like to interest the Corporation in professional inhabitants within the
of Brighouse, father and wrestling as a medium to raise funds for local Bailiff Bridge postal de-
son, were charged with charities. It transpired similar events had been livery district. The tea
cruelty to a horse. The held in 1968 and proved to be successful based was provided by Mr. S.
Magistrates saw fit to on the number of people attending. On that basis Greenwood, the licen-
the council would not object if the Association see at the Punch Bowl
dismiss the case. applied to hold wrestling promotions at the Civic Hall. Inn and was served at
his house and the
March 25, 1968, Firth Housing Standing Sub-Committee July 12, 1971. Ebenezer Schoolroom.
Carpets Ltd, won a The Housing Manager informed the committee About 400 children and
contract for supplying that it would be necessary to re-enamel baths in
5¼ miles of Wilton certain council owned houses. Supplies of enamel 900 adults took part. Af-
carpet for the QE2. was no longer available. A sub-contractor could ter the tea a grand gala
re-enamel with a pressure method and a quotation
August 27, 1906, the from the contractor was £13.75 per bath. It had was held at Holme
effects of the Brighouse been tried and tested and had proved to be a House Park, where the
Rangers’ Football Club successful method. The committee approved the Wyke Old Brass Band
were sold at public auction. method and authorised the Housing Manager to
adopt the new method. played. There were
Some of the prices sporting activities for the
included: the dressing Baths, Entertainment and Property Standing Sub children and races for the
pavilion £9, two turn- Committee meeting February 21, 1972.
stiles, £7.6 shillings, the over 50s.
east portion of the grand The Town Clerk
stand at the top of the submitted a letter June 24, 1887, in the first
field, 23 yards long, with received from issue of the new Brighouse
Councillor Armitage.
only £5 offered the The Committee Echo newspaper there
whole stand, 133ft long, and Management was an advertisement
and was sold for £10.10 for the Collins for interested contractors
Memorial Fund, to submit tenders to
shillings, the flagpole had decided to consider the purchase of a clock build a new Mission Hall
three shillings, the goal and sought the approval of the Corporation to it in Martin Street plans
posts with cross bars, being fixed outside the former Hipperholme and specifications will
Council Offices. It was requested that the be on view between
15 shillings. The total Corporation should accept it as a gift for general June 29 and July 4,
amount raised at the public use and be responsible for illuminating it. at the architects in
sale was £110. The Huddersfield Road. The
Brighouse Cup was sold It was resolved that the Committee will be Mission Hall was completed
for £6.6 shillings, I wonder pleased to accept the gift and will undertake both and formally opened
where that is now? its maintenance and illumination. on December 1, 1887,
with the Rev. Francis
February 1, 1859, a new The clock is still in position and acts as a Pigou, DD, Vicar of Halifax
telegraph office was permanent reminder of this local family. If the preaching in the afternoon
opened at Brighouse building was ever to be sold and demolition was a
Railway Station. consideration what would happen to the clock? If and evening.
the building was sold for alternative use would the
May 8, 1899, opening of new owners take on the maintenance and November 11, 1869, a new
a new museum at The illumination? Friends Meeting House,
Rydings, Brighouse. Now opened in Huddersfield
what ever happened to
Road, Brighouse.
all the exhibits?

10

Special Celebrations at Rastrick

The Rastrick Private Subscription Bowling Club was found space on the Toothill Bank hillside”.

born as the Rastrick Bowling Green Company just For all Fred’s joke about the new club at Rastrick,
as the Edwardian era was dawning in 1902 . The it soon became very successful. One of the club’s
club was floated with a capital sum of £400, a sum early presidents was Alderman Robert Thornton JP,
which if based on today's values would be almost and in 1910 nodded approvingly at that year’s AGM
£50,000. when it was announced the club had made a £10

profit on the year and the membership stood at 179,

and rising. He was also pleased to hear that on

average members only spent sixpence per week on

drink. This proved that members came to the club pri-

marily to bowl and not to drink.

Here are the members of the committee and officers for With seven clubs in the area and nine greens and
the club’s 75th anniversary. Back row, from left: a growing membership now standing at more than
1000. The Borough Council recognised this success
R. Rayner, A. Jessop, L Dyson, S. Armitage, A. Tordoff and did consider having a municipal bowling green
(subscription secretary) and W. Keating. Front row: on Bramston Recreation Ground. As expected, all
H. Follows (treasurer), R. Frazer (secretary), seven private clubs objected, and were successful
J. Womersley (concert secretary), D. Whiting in stopping the plan.
(president), B. Hutchinson (trustee), K. Armitage
(committee chairman) and S. Harrison (trustee). ‘Ladies are welcome at Albion’ said Joseph Hall
the club president. He added they should not bring
their knitting but come to bowl, as was said of the
Rastrick ladies. The Albion Club in Halifax Road
was the first club to hold a ladies day, in 1910.

When the club was formed the game of bowls was With a fluctuating membership during the two
not something new in and around Brighouse, a club world wars, like many other local organisations it too
at Clifton behind the Armytage Arms on what is now had its ups and downs. One of the features of the
the car park was formed almost 30 years earlier. tide of prosperity and changing fortunes for the club

Initially at Rastrick, a lease was taken out on what was the introduction of fruit machines and bingo,
which introduced a major cultural change but helped
was then called Robinson’s Field and a green
measuring 45 yards by 40 yards was constructed to keep the club on a more even financial keel. The
and bounded by a three-rail fence. There was a club was also the one of the first to install floodlights
which extended the bowls season from late August
real sense of enthusiasm as the new club was
being built, so much so that there was even talk of a until well into October, a facility that enhanced its
reputation even more.
tennis court being created as well.

The new club needed a pavilion, somewhere the Now known as the Rastrick Bowling and Social
members could relax and watch the matches or Club and having now been inexistence for 119
seek shelter during the intermittent rain spells. And, years the club continues to thrive, not only in Crown
of course, somewhere to keep their bowls. Green Bowling with teams at all levels but as a
focus for community involvement from weddings
Fred Whiteley, a long-standing member of the and civil ceremonies to football, snooker, line dancing
Clifton Club, proposed a toast at his club’s annual and lots more. At this club all are welcome.
dinner to all the neighbouring clubs which included
a club at Brighouse and one at the Albion (Halifax Some members of the committee were not
Road). This was followed by his punch–line joke, able to be on this photograph. They included:
“and of course there are two or three ‘num-yeds’ at K. McBride; P. Green; F. Hepworth (Life Vice-
Rastrick, who have done the same thing, and would President); B. Robinson and J. L. Binns.
have made a third bowling green if they could have

11

A True Brass Band Legend

On October 22, 1994, for the first time in more years His formative years were spent firstly at St Andrew’s

that I care to remember I went to a band concert. Infant School, where his school life began in May

Taking part in what was the 50th season of these 1935, then along with the rest of his classmates he

annual get-togethers at Huddersfield Town Hall with went on to St Andrew’s Junior School, in July 1937.

Brighouse and Rastrick Band, in what was billed as In 1941, he walked out of the school gates at his

a celebratory concert, was the Williams Fairey junior school for the last time, joining his older brother,

Band. Landon, at Hipperholme Grammar School.

But that, however, wasn’t the only reason for wanting
to go to this particular concert. I wanted to hear the
legendary cornet soloist Derek M. Garside. He was
one of the finest cornet players of his generation
and a man who began his illustrious playing career
in his home town of Brighouse.

The first time I saw

him perform live as a

soloist was on October

14, 1967, at the Royal All Aboard?... Percy Garside about to set off with one
Albert Hall, accompanied of his regular coach trips.

by his wife Janne Having gained his school certificate in 1946, he left
Edwards – Garside having taken his father’s advice by attending further
ARCM, on the piano. education classes at Stead’s Commercial College,

Derek Malcolm Garside at the bottom of High Street, Brighouse, to learn
was born on March 9, book keeping, typing, shorthand and general office

1930, the youngest son skills.

of Percy and Florence But even at 16, his heart was not really in his les-

Garside, a staunchly son’s at Stead’s, but in playing his cornet. Within 12

Not long after Derek started religious family who months of starting at Stead’s, an opportunity pre-
as a new member of Clifton sented itself which at the time must have seemed a
were regulars at Park dream come true. His ambition of being able to
combine both his cornet playing with a job came to
and Lightcliffe Band. Chapel in Bethel Street, fruition with the offer to join the CWS (Manchester)

where in later years he

was to delight audiences with his cornet playing.

As a boy Derek spent many hours in and around Band and work for the company at its Manchester
the family home in Carr Street, a small quiet area of offices as well.

terraced and semi-detached houses, on the out- It wasn’t just before he went to the grammar
skirts of the town centre. school that the family had a house built in Slead Av-

The Garside family had a manufacturing confec- enue. This new house seemed more appropriate for
tioners shop in 1912. Local records show it was run Percy Garside, who was then a successful profes-

by his grandfather, Fred Garside, and was a thriving sional singer.
business.
The Garsides were a musical family. Along with
In later years, this business diversified surprisingly his father as a singer, his mother was a respect-

into the travel business by offering a coach service, ed local pianist and with brother Landon also being

this aspect of the family business being run by taught the piano in was inevitable that Derek would

Derek’s father, Percy. By the time Derek was born also follow the musical route.
his grandfather had died and both businesses had
been sold. It was long after Derek’s ninth birthday that his
father asked him what he wanted to learn to play.

12

Derek still cannot recall why he gave the answer he
did, and was something he probably said on the spur
of the moment without even thinking: ’A Trumpet’.

A couple of weeks later he arrived home from
school to be greeted by his father who had bought
him a present. Not a trumpet, but a cornet, with his
first lessons also arranged with Fred Roberts, who
was the principal cornet player at Brighouse and Rastrick.

Derek quickly progressed and joined the Clifton

and Lightcliffe Band. In 1942, Derek entered his first

competition but did not win. The following year he

collected a third prize at a competition in

Heckmondwike.

Towards the end of 1943, he re-joined his tutor, Success at last in the 1962 National Brass Band
this time as a player in the cornet section with finals at the Royal Albert Hall - Derek sitting on the left

holding his cornet up in jubilation.

Brighouse and Rastrick. His first major success with
his new band was in 1946 when the it won the The National Festival Concert which was always
National Brass Band Championship final in London. the culmination of the weekend of contesting saw
the CWS band invited to take part in the massed
After the band’s bands concert many times. In both 1967 and 1968
success Derek was Derek was invited to be the guest soloist with his
promoted to the solo wife Janne to accompany him.
cornet bench.
His outstanding musicianship was recognised by
It was not long after the Worshipful Company
that his former tutor left of Musicians and he
Brighouse and Rastrick was the first recipient
to join a reorganised of the Insignia of
CWS (Manchester) Honour, in 1969.
Band. In December
He took part in more
1947, at the age of 17,
than 300 radio broad-
Derek was invited to be
casts and was booked
the principal cornet
to be a guest soloist
there conducted by
on countless occasions
Fred Roberts. Derek
both at home and
Derek wearing his Brighouse joined the band and overseas.
was employed full time
and Rastrick uniform.
in the CWS Accounts
A great player who was always In 1973 Derek was
Department, until 1969.
in de m a nd t o a g u es t appointed the new
soloist at many concerts. conductor at the CWS,
Gradually the band was built up around its newly
but in 1976 he decided it was time to retire and he
appointed principal Solo Cornet player.
moved to a new home in Wales.
From Derek first joining the CWS band up to 1970,
the band took part in the British Open Championships In 1978, Janne and Derek returned to Huddersfield,
in the King’s Hall, Belle Vue, 18 times winning four and the following year he was appointed a peripatetic
brass tutor at Bradford Council’s Music Department.
and being placed on 12 occasions.

The band had qualified to take part in the National Towards the end of April 1979, Derek was back in
Finals in London up to 1976. Having been placed in the spotlight as the new musical director at Fodens
the top three on many occasions success finally Motor Works Band. In September 1981 he returned
came in 1962, with conductor Alex Mortimer. to Manchester as the new professional conductor at
The band went on to repeat the win in 1963 the CWS.

13

However, in 1985, the CWS Board of Directors Bradford Road 125 years Ago
decided that a brass band was not the image the

company wanted anymore and the band was closed Looking at this picture, which appeared in an 1895

down. copy of the ‘Brighouse and District Illustrated’,

The band did manage to continue but under the a business directory which I bought from an American
name of the City of Manchester Band. Derek decided book dealer. It is difficult to imagine that such a
it was time to retire once again. nursery business of this size could have existed on
Bradford Road.
He went back to Wales and kept his interest in

bands with conducting, adjudicating and ’taking up

the cornet’ from time to time.

Derek never forgot his first band — here he is with This was owned by Lister Kershaw, but it was not
his wife Janne and Jim Nuttall conductor of Clifton his original nursery site. He originally started at
1847 in Waring Green, but the business grew so
and Lightcliffe during the 1960s. Derek was the rapidly that he bought the Bradford Road site in
band’s guest soloist. 1860. He also went on to own two plots in
Lightcliffe and Clifton.
Returning to his appearance at Huddersfield Town
Hall to what was a full house as guest soloist with He also took the decision to open a seed and
Brighouse and Rastrick, it was a special evening, flower shop in the town centre, a business he had
not only for the audience but for Derek too as it had for 25 years. It was only a short time before his
been 50 years earlier when he first appeared there death in 1891, aged 67, that he moved this aspect
as a soloist. of his business to new premises in Briggate. On
his death, Lister’s son John Richard Kershaw took
Following that return, he was invited to join what over the business.
was called ’The Kings of Brass’. This was a unique
band where all the members were contemporaries He was also active in landscape gardening, and
of Derek, some dating back to the 1940s. was responsible for laying out Bowling Park, Bradford,
the municipal park at West Hartlepool and Devonshire
This unique band of star names from the brass Park at Keighley.
band world did a series of concerts and wherever
they appeared the concert halls were all packed. In After the Bradford Road nursery site closed it
2001 the band played their last concert, at the Villa was used by John Jagger’s the builders. Following
Marina in the Isle of Man. Once again it was a full the closure of the builders on this site it was then
house. sold for re-development. Today, the houses built
on this hillside development have been given the
Although it is now 20 years since that concert the street name of Oakdale Close.
music goes on through the three CDs they
produced. From that last concert, Derek retired for The family grave of Lister Kershaw can be found
the last time and now lives the quite life in Bradford. in Brighouse Cemetery.
Along with Derek the ‘Kings of Brass’ all epitomised
the sense of fellowship in banding. In Denholmegate Road, Hipperholme during the
late 1950s and 1960s, a small shop traded under
the name of Conway’s. The family were also
nurserymen, when the shop closed it became a
small antique and curiosity shop. What became of
the Conway family and business?

14

A Lasting Memory to those that did not Return

Those young lads who did return from the horrors of As with all fundraising efforts, there has to be a

the First World War were supposed to come back to committee. In this case it had to include Colonel Sir

a land fit for heroes George Armytage

because this was as the Chairman

the so-called war to and Fairless Firth as

end all wars. As the its Vice Chairman.

young men began Other members

arriving back home included: William

it had become Bates, James

apparent from the Beavers, Albert Black,

many obituaries A.M. Campbell,

which commanded James Fell, Daniel

prime space in the Hunter, Amos

local newspapers Priestley, Ernest

throughout the war Rukin, Joseph

that every community Seed, John W.

would be left at the Sutcliffe, Sam

end counting its lost Bottomley, C.

fathers and sons. No community would be sparred Brocklehurst, George Hall, Charles Ingham, Herbert

or left unscathed and relatively few families were to Pinder, Thomas Squire, W.L.Sykes, Allen Turver,

escape untouched from what many thought as a Eli Collins and Fred Gordon was the secretary. I am

needless waste of human life. sure you will have made the same observation as I

Each community wanted to and needed to remember did, the absence of lady members of the committee,
its own in some form or another: not just those who a common feature back in those days.

lost their lives, but those who came home as well. I have a copy of the event programme, which is

It wasn’t long before war memorials were being far from being a cheap publication. It has 25 pages
erected in Brighouse, Bailiff Bridge, Lightcliffe, all for the princely sum of fourpence. If you bought
Norwood Green and every other community within your entry ticket before the event it would cost, you
the Borough. The small hilltop village of Clifton was 10 pence, but leaving it until the day itself the price
not going to be left out. Clifton was also one of the went up to one shilling and half-price for children.

few communities, along with Bailiff Bridge as well as The programme has a sprinkling of photographs,

Brighouse itself, to present its returning soldiers beginning quite naturally with Colonel Sir George

with a specially struck medal from and on behalf of Armytage in his full military uniform. There are a few

their local community. other photographs, including one of Kirklees Hall

The residents from the Clifton community as with itself. They are the same ones that appear in many
all the other communities, were all asked to other Clifton programmes along with the usual photo-
subscribe to a war memorial fund and to help to graph of Robin Hood's grave. The photographs are
raise the necessary funds. not very interesting. What makes this programme
for me are the advertisements, the history of the
One of the major fundraising efforts was a ‘Grand Kirklees estate and some of the events that took
Garden Party’ was held on Saturday, June 11, place on the day.
1921, and held in the grounds of Kirklees Hall. It is
interesting looking back at these old programmes The Clifton Prize Band opened the proceedings at
that these type of events back in those far-off days 2.30pm with a selection of popular music of the day.
were always dubbed as a ‘Grand’ something or Professor Land was next to take to the stage,
other. providing ventriloquial entertainment and his Punch
and Judy show.

15

There were two spots for Will Crossley’s Concert trade in the choicest Danish butter comestibles.

Party and with the band back at 5pm with dancing With such names as John Francis Brown,

the day out concluded the day's events. Webster’s, Lawson's plumbers, McNulty and Walker,

Walks around the estate, including the interior Parker's Chocolate and Confectioners and many
which would have been a rare treat for many of the more all the well-known shops and businesses were
visitors, a walk through the gardens and a visit to represented.

Robin Hood's grave, the Roman Camp and Robin The war memorial was built by a Mr Noble from

Hood's house and Nun's grave were also included - West Vale, with the railings surrounding the memorial

all for a nominal charge. For most of the visitors, the erected by Mr Empsall from Brighouse. The total

day was rounded off traditionally with afternoon tea cost was £500. It was formally unveiled on Saturday,

taken in the grounds, for a small charge. November 19, 1921, by Sir George Armytage.

To make the Just how much money the event raised history

programme pay it does not record, but as we all know the Clifton War

is packed with Memorial stands today in honour of those young

advertisements men from the village who did not return.

and includes To know more about the village and the individuals
many familiar named on the war memorial, the local author
names. These Margaret Sharp wrote and published an excellent
include some of book ’Clifton War Memorial’
the larger shops

and businesses, Another eBay gem for Sale
along with a number

The builders posing for the of the smaller ones As a regular buyer from the auction website eBay I
photographer 100 years ago. I too. Some of those often spot things that I do not bid on or ultimately
wonder who the small boy is? who advertised on buy. Looking through what Brighouse gems have
that day were the been offered for sale recently, one of the best both
Brighouse Co-op for condition and rarity is this commemorative
Jewellers who were mug.
offering what they
called ‘Summer This is a

Holiday’ requirements, which included vacuum Queen Victoria

flasks, safety razors, silver scent and spray. Golden Jubilee

There was the Motor Haulage Company, which 1837—1887
was run by H Kershaw, who also proudly boasted to commemorative
be a Chara-a-banc owner, and, as always, Charles mug and printed
Wood Ltd made good use of his telephone number, under the image
"Ring up No.1 for efficient Taxi Services, anywhere, is Rastrick
any distance and any time". Schools, notone
particular

Clothing and the garment businesses were well school, it is

represented with Thornton’s, whose sales logo said: likely every

"Come here and get a Suit to Fit and a Fit to Suit". child attending

Mrs Greenwood was a Milliner and Draper at 45, a Rastrick

Bethel Street, with Mourning Millinery a speciality. School would

John Armitage "Smartness in Gents’ Wear " was the have got one. There is no indication who made the

key to his sales pitch and an agent for Burberrys as mug and the only marking is C & E set in a laurel

well. on the base.

David Linton, highlights his butcher shop with It has a price of £25 for an opening bid. I wonder
W.Womersley from Gooder Lane, doing a good if any more have survived the last 134 years?

16

The Old Brodleians Big Day

1957 was a big day of celebration in the history of Happily, by this time the club’s new clubhouse at
the Old Bodleian's rugby union football club. This Woodhead, Denholmegate Road was taking shape.
was the year when the club saw its new ground
opened on land known in those days as
Smallwood's Field which is now occupied by the
Sandholme housing estate officially opened by the
Mayor Councillor Harry Edwards.

The official photograph of the day with left to right T h e M a y o r b e i n g introduced to the players f r o m
Ray (Jim) Woodward the fixture secretary; Cyril Pickard l e f t t o r i g h t : N o r m a n W r i g g l e s w o r t h , J.
club treasurer; David Harrison the first team captain; Bartle, Robert Clay, David K. Heaton, David Booth,
the Mayor and David Harrison (Captain).
the Mayor and Mayoress; Tommy Asquith club
chairman; and George Harrison the club president.

Although the club had been playing on the pitch for
a few weeks, it was Saturday, November 16, when The days of having to use some old changing room
the ground was officially opened and to celebrate facilities behind the Hipperholme Library was
that the game on that day was against Old Thornensians. coming to an end.

It was estimated at the time that with the exception After a lot of hard work, as it was said at the time
of the A and B teams and some diehard fans that ‘Bingo...we have a clubhouse’. Complete with a
had travelled with them to Thorne almost the whole bar-food preparation area. Whole families contributed
of the Hipperholme district turned out to watch the to the fundraising and club promotion and all the
match. hard work need to get the club off to a running start
at its new home. That work is the legacy the current
Welcoming the guests was the club chairman generation of players and officials can look back on
Tommy Asquith who could recall the early days of with a sense of pride.
the club on the windswept fields at Woodhead.
From those days the club has its headquarters up
The players were introduced by the two captains, at Woodhead and continues with a thriving
David Harrison presented the Mayoress a bouquet range of membership and teams from the Under
and finally the Mayor kicked off and by the final 6s to 1st XV senior men. The club has an Under
whistle the result was a draw. 13 girls right through to senior ladies teams.

In the mid 1960s, the Brighouse Council made I am sure the club representatives on the photos
their intentions known they would be going to build all those years ago would be rightly proud at
on the club’s playing field and the notice to quit everything the club has achieved and built up since
from the council was getting nearer, an alternative that time.
site was needed.

17

Community Focus Clifton Handbell Ringers Community Focus
A day to Remember
December 6, 1904, In 1927, the council
Winston Churchill MP In 1909, Clifton Senior handbell ringers entered a announced that it
addressed a Liberal competition at Shrewsbury. Mr J.Ord Hume was wanted to call the
meeting at Brighouse the adjudicator and before he announced the municipal offices the
results he complained that one of the bands Town Hall. Following
Town Hall. caused him some annoyance. He awarded Clifton meetings with the owner
a first prize of £7. The band causing the of the property on Bradford
May 22, 1907, Princess annoyance for taking so long to get ready was Road, The Town Hall
Louise visits Brighouse Birstall, who because of that were not placed. It Company, the discussion
transpired the guilty band was in fact Clifton came to nothing. This
to formally open the Seniors but they got away with it. led to an on going
Smith Art Gallery This situation for the public
was the first royal visit to The old Clifton Handbell Ringers disbanded be- as to which building is
the town. It was very fore the First World War. During its long history it
disappointing that none had many successes in competition work. The the town hall.
of the crowds who had last contest they entered was in 1913, at Belle
gathered on the streets Vue, Manchester. The members are, back In 1958, the Church
saw her because the row from the left: D. Clayton, W. Sykes, R. Lane Methodist Church
carriage blinds were Sykes, A. Sykes, C. Wood and G. Smith. Front: at Southowram which
closed throughout her W. Harrison, H. Smith, A. Sayles (Conductor), A. was almost 100 years
Schofield and E. Fearnley.
visit. old had to close its
This is just one of the many advertisers in doors for the last time
January 23, 1935, the programme for a Grand Bazaar held on with on-going repairs
Hipperholme ratepayers November 7th, 8th and 9th, 1895, at the having become so costly.
Brighouse Town Hall, in aid of the Rastrick
opposed a union with Church and Schools. December 1946, a
Halifax after Hipperholme branch of the Association
Council had voted in
of Yorkshire Bookmen
favour. was formed. It held
regular winter lectures
February 23, 1938, on all things literary. As
Brighouse Council this new group was
decided to build a new getting established the
Civic Hall in Wellholme Hove Edge Debating
Society faded into the
Park.
history books.
July 1, 1943, Brighouse
Council offer to by Between 1969 and
Waring Green Church 1970, saw the demolition

for £2,500 to be used as of the old cottages on
a youth centre. New Street, Waring
Green and a new devel-
1924, the tricky subject opment was completed.
of mixed bathing at the To enhance the image,
swimming baths was the council re-named
brought up at the council the street as St Martin’s
and not for the first time. View. The new properties
With only four dissenters at Sunny Bank Grange
mixed bathing was off Halifax Road soon
approved. The council
followed.
spent £20 on the
necessary alterations at

the baths.

18

In the Public Eye — Samuel Edgar Hirst MA,JP.

Between the incorporation of the Borough in 1893 chairman of the Law and Parliamentary Committee,

and the amalgamation with Calderdale in 1974 Brighouse he was be a member of other council corporate

had a total of 66 Aldermen, 285 Councillors, 12 of committees.

whom were ladies, 11 Freemen of Following the incorporation the
the Borough and 42 Mayors, of Rastrick School Board was merged
whom were two ladies. with the Brighouse School Board,

There was only one sitting mayor and Alderman Hirst became a

who died whilst in office and that member and took a deep personal

was Samuel Edgar Hirst MA,. JP. interest in the educational welfare

Samuel Hirst was a member of of the district.

one of the oldest families in He was also a governor of Mary

Huddersfield where their family Law’s Charity. This had been es-

history dates back several centuries. tablished through the will of Mary

His first involvement with the Law in 1701. Mary Law left property
Brighouse area was when his at Rastrick and an endowment
father moved to Crowtrees in for the education of 20 poor children
1870. Samuel was the second son of Rastrick and Brighouse to
of the late Samuel Hirst and was enable them to be taught how to
born in Edgerton, Huddersfield, in read and write. The children
1852. were chosen by the trustees.

His early education was at the In 1897 Mr Hirst was appointed
Collegiate School, Storthes Hall, and at Oakham as a Justice of the Peace for the West Riding,
Grammar School, Rutland; For a short while with a and regularly took his place at the magistrates
private tutor and then went to Cambridge, where as courts in both Halifax and Huddersfield. He was
a graduate of Emanuel College took his BA and MA added to the Borough Commission and was one of
degrees. the first magistrates appointed in Brighouse and
regularly took his place on the bench both before
Leaving college he devoted his time to study law, his mayoral appointment and after.
and was later called to the Bar at the Inner Temple.
At a meeting of the Council on Monda y,
He practised for some time at the Chancery Bar, November 9, 1903, he was elected as Mayor with
until a severe and prolonged illness made him William Smith as the Deputy Mayor.
relinquish what promised to be a successful career
in the legal profession. At a special meeting of the Council held on
Wednesday January 27, 1904, it was reported that
In 1895, he married Miss Margaret Seymour on the Saturday the 16th the Mayor had died.
Brown, who was the only child of John Ansell Following a recording of the members, condolences
Brown, a former staff-surgeon of the Indian Army, to Mrs Hirst and the family, a new Mayor had to be
of Kensington, London. appointed for the remaining unexpired period of

In 1893, Brighouse granted its Borough status office. It is interesting to note in the Council Minutes
and Samuel Edgar Hirst was encouraged to go where the special meeting was recorded it was
from his private life to start a new life in public black-edged as a mark of respect for one of its
service. He was elected on to the council as one of members.

representatives for the new South Ward, a position Alderman William Smith JP., was duly elected as
he held until 1902. He was nominated and elected Mayor and Alderman Alexander Oldfield Stocks,
as an Alderman in 1903. would act as his deputy.

With his legal training he was appointed as

19

What do you want to be when A Bicycle Made For Two
you grow up?

In those austere post-war rationing days, the Rosebud and Potterer’ - seen here still hiding under
question being asked was: 'What will the future now bushels, along with their real names. These were
the pseudonyms they both used as the Brighouse
bring?'
Echo cycling correspondents during the 1930s.

They were quietly married on Saturday, March
31, 1934. After the wedding they changed back
into their cycling gear and of f they went on
their honeymoon to an unknown location
‘Somewhere down South’. Their real names
are not shown in the newspaper, but do you
know who they really were?

This photograph was taken in 1981 and life has
moved on a lot since then. If these ladies are still

around they will now be in their early 40s.

Ever the optimist my Grandmother would often ask Many people lived in
me: 'What do you want to be when you grow up?’ old cottages in Clifton
I am sure many readers would have been asked Common. They had no
that same question. inside toilets but had to
go around the back of
Back in the 1950s lads would give the typical the cottage to a two
reply for that time - fireman, policeman, engine seater midden with a
driver or maybe a pilot. We can't leave the girls out. big hole and a little hole. Once
For them, it would be perhaps a nurse, teacher, air a week it was emptied carrying
hostess, work in an office or maybe a hairdresser. the tubs on poles. Not one of
the best jobs to have. The
Of course, the answers may have varied depending waste they collected was
on the age of the young person you were asking. emptied, on Marsden’s rhubarb
For the younger boys and girls being a famous fields, at the bottom of what is
actor or actress would be certainly something to now the Armytage Road
dream of. If being an actor was not forthcoming for Industrial Estate. The rhubarb
the lads, then a cowboy could be second best or from those fields was always considered the best.
even to play in the same team as Stanley
Matthews. Whatever their answers would have
been they all certainly wanted a dog like Lassie.

This week's group of school children are in Class
1 at St Andrews Infant School. Now, I wonder if any
of these children when asked did say they wanted
to be a nurse and then in later years achieved that
wish?

20

The Floods of 1946 were the worst to hit our Town for 75 years

The back page cover photograph shows PC John Earlier floods included 1872,1875, 1884, 1887,
Stennett, the Lightcliffe local policeman, on point duty 1889 and 1899. Another example was the severe
during the 1946 flood at Bailiff Bridge. It will bring weather conditions of July 12, 1900, when there was
back memories for some readers who lived in other a sudden change from fine weather to the whole of
affected parts of Brighouse of what were the worst the West Riding being hit by a severe storm.
floods in Brighouse since the great floods of 1868.
It was reported at the time that the centre of the
storm appeared to be in the Brighouse district. This
storm was so violent that rain fell in torrents, ensuring
that some of the roads became impassable.

The lightening was described at the time as being
vivid and the crashes of thunder shook many buildings
— not to say people’s nerves.

As the water receded the damage it caused was
plain to see. Brown and green slime was running
down both on the outside and inside walls of
Sugden’s mill premises and of course inside peoples
homes.

Millroyd Street at the height of the flooding, looking One of the most important tasks for the Sugden’s
towards Briggate. office staff was to dry out the wage packets which
had been soaked once the water level had risen
Those readers who can remember the events of above the company safe.
1946 will be able to appreciate some of the
problems flood victims were experiencing, particularly Sadly, flooding does now appear to be happening
residents who lived in the low lying areas of more often. It is something more householders
Brighouse. The flooding of 1946 was 30 inches and businesses have got to consider.
higher than the previous highest level of 1944.

With the lower end of Briggate and Daisy Croft
areas being low lying and just off the town centre,
these were not just isolated occasions when flooding
struck the residents.

The bottom of Briggate, the only means of transport The floods of Boxing Day 2015, caused widespread
able to pass through to Millroyd Street was by rowing devastation. This is Elland Road, the first gable end is
boat.
the Colliers Arms.

With more new houses not having a front garden,
there is less area for the water to soak away and in
some cases the drains cannot cope with the excess
run-off.

21

The Ladies make their Mark in the 66’ World Cup Year

After the Second World War the daily life of everyone Rastrick and Bailiff Bridge forming their branches in

was to change none more so than the lives of women. 1959, the whole of the Borough was soon covered

Being tied to the kitchen, with no social life of their by at least one of the branches. As a member the

own, for ladies would then

some was f orm interest

to be a groups similar to

thing of what the University

the past. of the 3rd Age do

Although today, and what a
the Co-op thriving institution
had started that is.

a Women’s I have been

Guild back invited to speak

in 1899, it at hundreds of

really local organisa-

began to tions, ladies,

thrive after mens and mixed

the last war and went on to celebrate its diamond groups in and around West Yorkshire over the last

jubilee in 1959. I remember being invited to give 45 years. Sadly, the number of groups meeting

slide presentations to the members back in the either each week or monthly has gone down quite

1970s – I remember that all visitors were made dramatically. I have attended many groups where, it

very welcome and you were always guaranteed a transpired, I was the last speaker or at the last

fine cup of tea. Sadly as the membership grew older meeting of the group. Attracting new members,

and the numbers dwindled down the years, it like encouraging anyone to be on the committee or to

many other groups had to fold. This group was for be one of the group’s officials, is almost impossible.

many years the only place where women could go It does seem that these days people don’t join

without being dominated by the men. groups or organisations as they used to do. How

However, it was after the war that a number of many of these will still exist in the next 10 mor 20

other groups were formed with one of the first being years is hard to imagine?

the Brighouse Business and Professional Women’s In some respects however, things have changed

Club in June 1946, being joined two years later by the on the sporting front. Now we have ladies’ rugby

Brighouse Inner Wheel. It wasn’t long before there teams right through to international level, as well as

was the Brighouse Ladies Circle and with both the World Cup football along with the traditional ladies’

local Labour Party and the Conservative Party having sports of bowls, tennis, golf, and many more at the

ladies sections there was plenty of scope for ladies very highest level of competition.

to play a greater role in the affairs of the town. With I have researched the local history books and
Brighouse having a strong link with charitable causes have found little evidence of early support for ladies
such as the RNLI and local hospitals, it seemed
playing competitive football. However, here is a
appropriate that they should also be a branch of the photograph taken during the 1966/67 season when
NSPPC which formed its Luncheon Club in 1959 to the Mayor and Mayoress of Brighouse Councillor
support that worthy cause.
Herbert Prest and his wife presented the winning

It is well documented that one of the best supported team with their cup.

organisations in the town were the various branches I cannot say who the team members were back
of the Townswomen Guild. The first local branch to
be formed was at Hipperholme in June 1954 with on that sunny day, but if you were playing I would
Brighouse branch forming later the same year. With be very pleased to hear from you.

22

A Letter from The Netherlands

It was after the hot summer of 1977 that I moved When I was in my early teens, with friends from

from Lincolnshire to Brighouse. After my parents' school, we hung around Wellholme Park, took walks

divorce, dad moved to Brighouse to be nearer through the streets, strolled through the library and

family, and about six months later so did my Mum, spent time at each other's houses. When the parties

my little brother and me. began we all started to hang around with new

I had visited Gran and Grandpa on Harriet Street for people and I was introduced to ‘boys’. BGGS was an
years with my dad as we travelled up and down the all-girl school, so hanging around with ‘lads’ was not
exactly a new experience, but was at a different time
land in his very safe Robin Reliant. I always
in my development and I saw things slightly
assumed Brighouse was at the other side of
England, as the trip often took us three hours to get differently now than before. Gladly, not a vision that
there. It wasn’t until later when I found out it could be held me back from my already formulating plan:
having kids and being a housewife was not an
done in 90 minutes as dad was a very safe driver! option for me.

Our house in Camm Street was a world away from I loved Thornhills and spent many hours playing
what I had known. All the houses were built and made on the dirt trails on my bike, and going on walks with
from natural stone, damp, steep streets everywhere,
grey neutral colours, and wet, very wet and I mean my family to see the tree that Grandad had planted
years ago growing into all its full majesty.
like all the year-round, as I remember it!

Brighouse, was always a home to me even if I

hated its ‘smallness’, and its dirty industrial heritage,

staining the old brickwork everywhere and the jungle

of telephone wires in the sky.

Taken whilst studying on a Fine Art Foundation For many years I rode a bike in England, to and
Course at the Percival Whitley College Halifax. from work in Huddersfield, and when I worked
overseas I have always owned a bike. In Holland, I
totally feel at home on the integrated cycle paths
and well-constructed bike routes. No cycle lanes just
suddenly ending by the curb on the main road
(Bradford Road on the way to Bailiff Bridge). Not
only are the routes safer but cyclists have priority on
the roads. Perfect!

After passing the crucial 11+ exam I went to Brighouse I passed all my exams and decided to go to

Girls’ Grammar School. As I later discovered, my Percival Whitely College, Halifax, to study art. I was

education at BGGS would stand me in good stead accepted and I began my academic year still living

for the rest of my life. Not just the academic side, but at home, but was thrown out for not getting along

also the friends I made there, some of whom I have with my stepfather. Leaving home broke my heart,

a lot of contact with to this day, and the sports that I but people have their ways, even parents, and you

took a keen interest in, which included hockey, can’t change that, I rebelled against it.

rounders and netball. In Halifax, I studied Psychology and Sociology at

The education I received at BGGS was excellent A’ Level and passed. My father tells me I have an

and years later when I ventured to other lands, it artistic temperament, the doctors called it

dawned on me just how good it was. All the chosen hyperactivity (ADHD).

subjects I had taken were absolutely essential in my My family were hardworking people and so were a
future life, but it was the ones I didn’t take, such as lot of the people from the past generations that
geography and history, that actually paved my path worked in the factories, mills or as domestic staff.
through the historical lands I always said I would These included housemaids for the doctors and the
see: Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the rest. well to do, as my Gran did. She, at 14, illiterate and

23

having left school, worked 14 hours or more a day Presently, I live in the very northern tip of Holland,

for the local Doctor in Clifton. Den Helder, surrounded by sea, sand and sun! Our

Working as a professional DJ. After finishing life here is not too different from that of Brighouse. It
college I moved has a lot of unemployment but the standard of living
house several here seems to be better than that in Brighouse and
times and now generally, I think in England.
in total, I have
had more than On the whole, everybody seems to be happy
50 addresses. here, the people are open, relaxed and the Dutch
Sadly, I saw embrace new cultures and technology. Most dress
those beautiful well and when I use public transport I’m impressed
towns with all the with the cleanliness and efficiency of the trains and
buses, in contrast to England’s public transport.

artistic types falling along the wayside, enveloped in In Amsterdam it is normal to work with all

the culture of the poor and struggling. I woke up one nationalities, in fact,

morning and decided that this is most definitely not English is considered

where I wanted to be. So I applied for work in the second language

Holland through a job agency in Brighouse, and that of Amsterdam. Here

is where my story overseas begins. in Den Helder, we are

Since my initial stay in Holland of two years, I a tourist resort and
have worked and lived in Israel for seven months:
Spain and Fuerteventura for two years: Greece - we have the Navy
Athens and Corfu - for three years: visited Jordan,
Saudi Arabia, Egypt - I spent a lot of time diving situated here. One
there - and of course France, Germany, Portugal,
Gibraltar, Belgium and Cuba for diving. My love for and a half million
sports that I gained whilst at BGGS, and the ‘kick’
feeling it gave me was a big influence for my visits visitors came one
to these beautiful countries, as well as the inspired
history lessons over the Greek culture and the year just to see the
mystical Pyramids of Egypt.
Float Days, a parade
This led to my pursuit of the many sports I
enjoyed and to venture to see all the monuments, of old and new boats
lands and cultures that I wanted to see at the same
time. That’s why I became a travel representative and ships from
and got paid to do this!
Publicity photo whilst working different countries. It’s
Through my learning experience and curiosity I
acquired from family and education, I was able to as a professional dancer in never boring, we have
work in different countries, often travelling alone,
and experiencing things which I could never have Athens. a lot of things to do
imagined. I cried when I saw the mask of
and the nightlife is pretty booming too! But, we have

the coastline and the most sun hours here, and

though a tourist resort with international visitors it

has still a homely feel to it. This is definitely in

contrast to Brighouse even in all it’s glory.

I left England as a discriminating, prejudiced
individual who didn’t like any other food except
meat and two veg or fish and chips. I have become,
through travel, a more open, tolerant individual.

I’m glad I expanded my horizons and gained a

Tutankhamun in the Cairo Museum and felt the very different perspective on life. I don’t know if I

intensity of the history in the City of Petra (Jordan), ever will go back to England to live. I’ve got used to

Jerusalem and Havana. I floated over reefs in Cuba the liberal life, the sea breeze, the international feel

and Spain and many other countries whilst enjoying to our little Jutter town, Den Helder. I miss my

the weightlessness of diving. In short, I loved to family …a lot. I miss the dry, sharp British humour,
see and do all the things I had read about and I miss the rolling hills of God’s own country –
more. Now, I work as an Aquasport instructor and Yorkshire - and I think I’ll always feel like I have one
professional DJ and have a small business foot here and the other there.
enterprise.
Rudy Firth — The Netherlands

24

Brighouse at Work - From a small hamlet and a bridge, the town of
Brighouse in Calderdale grew rapidly with the building of the Calder and
Hebble Navigation in the late eighteenth century. This led to the development
of the town’s successful textile industries. This is a book where almost a
few lines will tell the reader something about the industrial heritage of
Brighouse and its surrounding communities.
The book is £14.99 + £3 postage packaging, for overseas orders please
contact the author. PayPal is available as are cheques.

All in a Day’s Work — During the 1950s, Chris Helme was often
asked by relatives: 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' A
policeman was always his answer. A child of the Fifties, he was
brought up to respect the local police who seemed to know everyone.
All in a Day's Work: 30 Years as Brighouse Bobby is his journey to
achieving that ambition culminating with being awarded the British
Empire Medal for services to his community in 1990. A local bobby had
to deal with everything that happened on his 'patch'. This book takes
the reader through a catalogue of sad, humorous, and almost
unbelievable incidents in the life of a local policeman. £12.00 + £3 p/p.

Brighouse Through Time - 96 pages of both black and white and
coloured images of aspects with views of Brighouse and its surrounding
communities. Fascinating scenes displayed in a of 'then and now'
format. £12.99 + £3.

Sunny Vale Pleasure Gardens, near Brighouse, opened as a
garden in 1880 but with the inclusion of amusements in 1883 it
became a hugely popular venue for Sunday strollers, local Sunday
School groups and day trippers from around the north of England for
the next seventy-five years. This collection of more than 180 images,
complemented by detailed captions and reminiscences of the Gardens
throughout their long history, will delight all who remember visiting as a
child and provide a fascinating insight into this vanished, but
not-forgotten, institution. £12.00 + £3 p/p.

All these books can be purchased through www.chrishelme-brighouse.org.uk from the on-line
shop or by contacting Chris Helme email: [email protected] — or by
telephone 07854-755756 and Harrison Lords, Bradford Road Brighouse. If you wish to advertise
your book on the website or in this magazine please contact the publisher.

Back page outer cover photograph — PC 1137 John Stennett doing his best to carry out point duty at Bailiff
Bridge crossroads during the 1946/47 floods. He was an ex-Guardsman when he joined the police. He moved

to Bailiff Bridge pre-1934 and was appointed the ’Local Bobby’ for the area. He retired November 5, 1950.