Brighouse and District Heritage Newseum No. 11 December 2020

BRIGHOUSE & DISTRICT

Heritage Newseum

Issue 11 Winter 2020

Edited and Published by Chris Helme

With the 2020 Brighouse Charity Gala having been cancelled, along with almost all other local
events throughout the country owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. It seemed a good time to look
back to the first gala and see what ever happened to the Brighouse Gala Queen. Here as

a reminder is Judi Pilling who was crowned the first Gala Queen on her 21st Birthday in
1965. You will find her fascinating story in this issue and discover where she is now.

© Christopher D. Helme (2020), 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, research, criticism, review or as otherwise
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: Here we have one of those rare occasions the canal is frozen. This wintery scene dates back to
February 1991, a time when Calderdale Council had to rally an army of snowploughs and gritters to

fight what was a desperate battle against weather that was being described as a Siberian winter.

BRIGHOUSE & DISTRICT

HERITAGE NEWSEUM

From the Editor Issue 11 Winter 2020 

Welcome to the 1 Notes from the Editor.
11th issue of the 2 ‘J.P’. The Great Provider and the 1920s.
m a g a z i n e . W e have 4 The Boys are Back in Town.
another diverse 5 Centenary Celebration to Blackpool.
selection of stories 6 The first Gala Queen - where is she now?
for you. 8 It only seems like Yesterday!
9 Youngsters help to clean up.
There are three 10. Selling Beer from Home!
highlights in this issue feature including 11 Explosive Mix at Hipperholme — 1917.
the very first Gala Queen for the Brighouse 13 Notes from the Council Chamber 1959/60.
Charity Gala in 1965, her f a s c i na t i n g l i f e 14 Banking in Brighouse — Part 2.
story and where she is now. Her 15 Childhood Christmas Memories.
complete story is too long for the 16 Best Spit and Polish for the Photograph.
magazine but will be featured on 17 An Evolving Town Centre.
my website in its entirety. The second 18 New Starters 63 Years Ago.
story to look out for is about the 19 In the Public Eye-Henry Sugden JP, CC.
Brighouse industrialist Henry Sugden, 21 The Memories are Flooding Back!
one of the founders of modern Brighouse. 22 An Outing Down Memory Lane.
And, finally, our regular feature A L e t t e r 23 A Letter from New Zealand
from... this time it is from N e w Ze a l a n d .
W e a l s o h a v e a l o t more local history Remember to look at our website where you
and nostalgia for you to enjoy. can also contact the editor and you are
able to purchase various local books, including
If y o u h a v e a st o r y o r p h o t o g r a p h some that are no longer in print, through the
y o u w o u l d like to share with the readers,
please contact the editor on 07854 online shop, where PayPal is available:
-755756. www.chrishelme-brighouse.org.uk

If you have any relatives born in 1 
Brighouse or who spent their childhood
years here and now live overseas I
would also be pleased to hear from
you.

Finally, whilst we are going
through some difficult times with the
Covid-19 pandemic, please stay
safe and try to keep busy.

Best wishes for Christmas and
the New Year.

Chris Helme

  J.P—The Great Provider with Christmas Spirit
through the Changing 1920s.

The Brighouse of my childhood seems a far different in Huddersfield and Bradford markets.

place from the town I know of today. The shop lights In his prime and when his businesses were at
always seemed brighter, the Christmas tree
their peak, he was probably one of the Echo’s
seemed bigger and brighter, even the tinsel seemed best advertisers – never a week would go by without
to glitter more in those days. Commercial Street,
his usual and invariably very large advertisement.
King Street and Bethel
But around Christmas
Street were so busy
time it was different.
that folks had to walk
in the road to pass No, he did not have
his usual advertise-
the swirling crowds of
ment which would tell
shoppers. Even the
everyone about the
folks queuing outside
muffins, crumpets,
many of the shops
wholemeal bread,
waited patiently and
and teacakes he had
shared a joke or a
on offer that week.
smile whilst waiting to
That week he m e r e l y
be served. Ah well, it
h a d a message to
might be sentimental,
everyone telling them
but you are only a
how good his
child once.
Joah Pearson’s warehouse at the corner of Market Street and business was doing.
Back Bethel Street (which is now West Park Street). These
But we are now all
going through trying premises are now the Super Pound Store, which is a veritable Anyone visiting

times, queuing now Aladdin's cave. Brighouse for the first

time would have to enquire what kind of business
means safe-distancing. What kind of Christmas can this man was running. I often hear people asking
we expect by sticking to the rules. It will be a
does advertising work – yes, it gives you a shop
Christmas the likes of which have not been seen by window and in JP’s days it gave him one of the
many since the Second World War.
biggest shop windows in the town. He took to

Let us go back advertising so much that for a short period of time

to another genera- he placed his advertising needs in hands of a

tion of children – London advertising company.

back in 1922 in the But times were tough in those far off days. At
early post First Rastrick, the Thornhill Dole was £3. 10 shillings

World War years, (£3.50) and given out by the Vicar of Rastrick the
when life was so Rev W. Mason. Just how thinly that money was
different from even spread I cannot say or what the recipients spent it
when I was a child. on, but there is no doubt many families would have
Some readers will benefitted from it.
no doubt remember
Again, on the charity front, the Rev H.R.Evers, the
Joah Pearson
otherwise known as Vicar of Brighouse, distributed 90 food parcels in
‘…JP – The Great and around his Parish. These had been given by
Provider’. He had Thomas Lipton’s well-known chain of stores. It was
his Café Royal on said that Tommy Lipton aimed at giving away
Commercial Street 100,000 food parcels in the poorer parts of the
Cáfe Royal 53, Commercial and later had some country. It also gave 300 people work in the run-up to
Street. This is where the Christmas at his London packing warehouse.
RSPCA Charity shop is today. very successful shops

2 

There was the Clifton Dole, this was a bit different Throughout the 1920s the Brighouse area was

from the Dole at Rastrick. Firstly, it was distributed honouring those who died during their military

by the Overseers of the Poor, which was an old title service with war memorials.

that had been first established by the Poor Law Act In 1922, there
of 1597- 98 and provided relief for the aged, sick, was talk in
and infant poor, as well as work for the able-bodied Lightcliffe about
in workhouses. This was made compulsory by the buying what was
new Poor Relief Act of 1601, superseding the less known as
formal office of Collector of the Poor. Smithson Park.
This was part the
At least two people were appointed yearly by each Smithson Estate
vestry, subject to the approval of the Justices of the on Whitehall
Peace, to levy a poor rate and supervise its distribution. Road and the
They were unpaid and selected from among the Smithson family
parishioners.

Most of their duties were transferred to the lived at Lydgate

Guardians of the Poor in 1834 leaving the Overseers House, on

with the duty of assessing and collecting the rate, Wakefield Road.

although legislation enabled the Parish to appoint The land was

paid collectors under the control of the Overseers. The Stray War Memorial shortly purchased with
The office was abolished by the Rating and
after it was unveiled. the help of the

Valuation Act of 1925. negotiating

The Overseers at Clifton distributed wheat and powers of the Brooke family, the owners of the
one shilling (5 pence in modern money) but the Lightcliffe based Brooke’s Stone Company. A
recipients had to give two fresh eggs back in return. subscription was organised which helped to raise
Now here is a thought – how did the Overseers the £4,000 needed to lay out what was to be called
know the eggs were fresh once they had given the The Stray, named after the Stray in Harrogate.
Dole out? Quite simple really, and a bit sneaky I With the work finally finished it was unveiled by
suppose because the people who gave the eggs the Right Honourable J.H.Whitley, Speaker of the
had to make their mark on the eggshell so if their House of Commons and MP for Halifax, in 1923.

eggs had been rotten, the following year their Dole In July 1922, the half-time system of children

would be docked and that would not be a risk worth attending school for half the day and working the

taking. other half of the day was abolished. It also saw the

After the First World War, there were many local leaving age change as well, with children only being
widows and children, and they were not forgotten. A able to leave school at the end of the term in
which their 14th birthday fell.
total of 64 widows and 120 children were enter-

tained at a Christmas Party a Bethel Schoolroom By 1922, town centre traffic was causing a major
which was promoted by the members of the 4th headache for the council. ’How could it improve the

Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. situation?’. That was the question. One idea was to

There were other things happening in those early restrict traffic to 10mph, and parking in the narrow
post war years. For example, Brighouse Rangers streets was beginning to be a real problem.

re-formed in 1922 and on Boxing Day they played The early post war years and the early 1920s was

against Huddersfield Old Boys. The commentators very much a period of looking back and remembering

of the day gave Rangers no chance and they were the loved ones who were lost in the war. Not every-

right with Rangers being thrashed 52 – 0. one shared the post war boom, industrial strife in

In January 1922, a Brighouse branch of the the Northern heartlands culminating with the 1926

League of Nations Union was formed with Alderman General Strike saw hard times for many families.
John Wood as its chairman and H.S.Wilkinson as With voting rights changing and including women
over the age of 21 for the first time in 1928, surely
secretary.
things could only get better.

3 

    The Boys’ are back in Town !

 

T  he world was beginning to change very quickly in silver screen at the Savoy closed its doors for the

1  959, heading towards what become known as the last time. Two years later the town’s first purpose-
Swinging ’60s. built cinema, The Ritz, had gone as well. We were

  now entering the era of the Bingo Halls with many
But, let us take a nostalgic trip back to those
d  ays and remind ourselves of some of the people, of the old cinemas being converted for that purpose.

p  laces, celebrities and events of that year. I suppose a sign of the times was at the Astoria

  It was, of course, the year that Buddy Holly was Ballroom at the end of Briggate was closed. In
those days it was the Mecca for many of the town’s
ki nillIeodwian an air crash
and in the young people, where
they could dance and
F  ebruary the American while the night away.
Some of you may
public was introduced remember that it was
the licensing authorities
to the Barbie Doll. who revoked its licence
because of several
Ladies, how many of late-night disturbances
which left the young
you still have yours people having to find

tucked away after all

these years in a dark

corner of the loft or

wardrobe?

Can you remember, other venues for their

Errol Flynn, who died music and dancing.

in October that year. Billiard Halls

But of course, things were disappearing

were happening here Some of those posing for this Blackpool photograph in and the premises were

as well. The year 1959/60 are Dave Carter, Mick Kelly, Johnny Davis, Johnny being converted for

opened with Henry Joyce, Graham Greatorex, Mick Green, Barry Darwin, Brian other purposes.
Mettrick, Billy Oates, Glyn Ripley and Peter Hirst.
‘Splash it all over’ The traditional
Cooper winning the
Rastrick Carnival finally packed up, the St John’s
British and European Heavyweight boxing
championship when he defeated Brian London. Ambulance Brigade Band was declared the best
Within 10 days another of our sporting heroes was band for the fourth year running at the Burnley
in the news only this time it was marking the death contest.

of world motor racing champion Mike Hawthorn, In this photograph are a group of young local

who was killed on the Guildford Bypass. lads who in 1960 went on a trip to Blackpool, all

It was also the year postcodes were introduced, smartly turned out in their Teddy Boy outfits, ‘…the
the Mini motor car was launched, and Empire boys are in town tonight…’ This was probably their
Day became Commonwealth Day – yes things catchphrase as they walked or swaggered along
were changing. the seafront promenade.

Here in Brighouse time was marching on as well, It is now at least 65 years since these lads
albeit at a slower pace. The Mayor in those days swaggered down Commercial Street just as an
earlier generation would have done but only in
was Ambrose Broomhead, a familiar face in the
local cinema. Plans were drawn up in the 1950s those days it was called Promenading.

to change the face of the town dramatically with The lads who are still with us will still walk down

a Commercial Street bypass. New social housing Commercial Street, be there will be less swagger and

was being built at great speed, new streets and posing to the young ladies. They will have far more

new communities were springing up in almost important matters to consider these days – the

every corner of the Borough. price of the weekly shop has gone up again…

Brighouse once boasted two town centre cinemas dream on lads.

to watch the great swashbuckler, but in 1959 the

4 

 

Centenary Celebration to Blackpool

The evening of January 5, 1951, was a special When it came to the entertainments the company’s

night in the history of J. Blakeborough and Sons Ltd. Male Voice Choir, conducted by Leslie Quarmby,

It was a well-known fact that many people who took the lead. They were not the only ones taking
went to work at Blakes usually stayed a long time part: there was Annie Emerson, who gave a couple
and quite often there would be three and even four of humorous recitals; Eileen Jagger who not only
generations from within the same family working sang with Winnie Sykes and Anna Sutcliffe, but
there at any one time. It was not unusual either to also played the violin. These ladies were
come across those
employees who had artistes from Halifax who
stayed loyal and worked for had been organised by
the company for 30 and Miss Margaret East,
even 40 years. Mr Blakeborough's
secretary and one of
It had been customary those who celebrated 25

at Blakeborough’s that years service herself on

when an employee had that night. We must not

reached the milestone of forget Alan Jackson and

working at the company Evelyn Waddington who

for 40 years they would be were accompanying the
presented with a certificate
by the directors. For the Just some of the 2,000 employees, retired employees artistes, with Frank
and family members who went on the celebratory trip to Goodwin as the
few who had been with compere for the night.
Blackpool in 1928.

the company for 50 years, the directors would then After the Chairman's introductory speech, the two
longest-serving employees stepped forward first.
give that employee gifts in kind.
These were William Ward who had 60 years service
It was in 1950 that the directors decided to
followed by Brook Kilner with 53 years to his credit.
change the scheme to include those employees
who had worked 25 years for the company. These On that memorable night in 1951, the company
employees were to be awarded a certificate and was employing more than 350 people who had all
gifts up to the value of £15. Also, a similar gift worked for the company a minimum of 25 years.
would be given to those employees who had been With just a few exceptions I wonder how many people
with the company for 40 years and a further £20 to in the future will stay 25 or more years at their current
the few who have achieved 50 years service. Finally, place of employment - not many I bet.

a one-off payment of £15 was to be paid to all Here is another special occasion organised by

company pensioners. Blakeborough’s, back in 1928. That was the year

The directors decided that such an event could the company celebrated its centenary and as part
not be allowed to simply just go by without some of the celebrations, it paid for an ‘outing’ which
kind of formal celebration. The answer was a dinner resulted in an invasion of some 2,000 from
at the works canteen followed by some entertainment Brighouse to Blackpool.

with the presentations being carried out by the Looking at each of those posing on this

Company Chairman, Mr Ralph Blakeborough, photograph. It is good to see that the local hatters

during the dinner. would have been kept very busy judging by the

Judging from the number of people who received number of people wearing caps, trilbies, bowler hats
the awards I could imagine the roast turkey and and even the youngsters were wearing their caps.
trimmings would have to wait until the end of long The ladies with their fox furs, strapped shoes and
presentation ceremony, which was followed by of course every design of hat there was in fashion
Mr W. Barraclough BEM and Mr Harry Tart making at the time.

a short speech of thanks.

5 

Judi Pilling: The First Brighouse Gala Queen in 1965

I came into this world in Halifax on May 29, 1944,
and when only five months old went to live in
Fleetwood, Lancashire, where my father had
bought a petrol station and repair shop.

My dancing started at the age of three; I enjoyed
learning many different types and being in shows
and festivals in Fleetwood, Lytham St. Annes and
Cleveleys. I won certificates at first, then medals
and eventually cups for my dancing.

My father had died when

I was seven and two years

later my mother decided to

return to Yorkshire where The dancers include: Judi Pilling, Jacqueline Hartley,
all our family lived. Our first Cathryn Howe, Barbara Fuller, Linda Langley and

house was on Stanley Christine Dolan.

Street, opposite her sister We rehearsed at weekends and enjoyed watching
the acting and singing. The two societies kept us
and brother in law. My going all year, as soon as we finished performing
one show at the Albert Theatre then we would start
schooling started at St the next. What a lovely group of people they all
were and how enjoyable it was, sometimes
Andrew’s Junior School; I nervously, to perform on stage in front of the local

did not pass the 11 plus

Judi the young ballerina, exam and went to Rastrick
County Secondary School.
aged eight.

My only request on arriving in Brighouse was to people instead of examiners and judges.

enrol at a dance school. I worked hard and enjoyed At the age of 16 I won the North of England
every long hour, some days going to dance class Senior Ballet Championships and the same year
straight from school for about four hours and other my dance teacher took me for auditions and
days going at 7.30pm until 10pm. I often relate the orthopaedic tests in London at The Royal Ballet
story that I learnt to dance ballet with the
School.
accompaniment of the World Champion Brass
Band, the Brighouse and Rastrick. I waited what seemed like weeks for ’The Letter’
to arrive. I dithered and dithered about opening it
At the age of 11, I won a Royal Academy of
as my ballet career depended on the result. It was
Dance Scholarship which entitled me with lessons a Billy Elliott moment. Eventually, I plucked up
with one of their highly qualified teachers at a studio courage to open the envelope and saw the words
in Leeds twice a week. This was quite an achievement ’we are pleased ’. What an amazing moment, I was
and another step in the right direction. It meant that accepted as a full time student at The Royal Ballet
at the end of the year I would have to go to London School.
for a week of lessons and exams and if I passed
could then attend these special classes for another All went well for a while until I started having pain
year, which thankfully I managed to do for four years. in my legs. A Harley Street Consultant who came to
the school every Friday sent me for x-rays and then
At 13 years old it was thought that I should have a full-body plaster cast. In the end, they decided
a second string to my bow, and I enrolled at Stead’s that a surgical corset would do the trick. This I wore
Commercial College, at the bottom of High Street,
Brighouse, where I enjoyed learning shorthand, for a few weeks but the fateful day arrived when the
typing, book-keeping and commerce. consultants told me that I would have to give up my
ballet career as it would always aggravate my back

I joined the Brighouse Light Opera Society and problem.

the Amateur Operatic society as a dancing girl with So, I returned to Brighouse and had no option but
some friends.
to find work.

6 

I started at Bradford Dyers Association (BDA) at Someone must have told the band that it was my

Brookfoot, where I learned to be a Comptometer 21st Birthday and they played 21 Today. It was a

Operator. After a couple of years I was advised to lovely happy evening for everyone.

take a modelling course and I joined an agency in On Gala day there was a big parade through the
Leeds. I was then employed by them and did catwalk town, starting at Hove Edge. I sat on the back of an
shows in Leeds and Harrogate. I also modelled the open-topped Morgan car and my attendants
whole range of dresses every season for Eastex at followed in other cars. There were lots of decorated
their Leeds showroom. lorries and quite a lovely turn out with lots of people

For other work I also worked as a ’temp’ for various along the route waving. The parade reached its end

companies in and around Brighouse, Elland and in Wellholme Park where there were lots of stalls

Halifax. One of these was British Monorail Ltd, on and sideshows and a stage where I had to give a

Wakefield Road, and they offered me a full-time speech.

position which meant a regular income, and, as my It was a lovely day, and the weather was so kind
mother relied on me for financial support, I to us. I did not have many duties to perform that
reluctantly took the offer. year apart from a visit to Storthes Hall Hospital, it

During this time I was still dancing in many local had been quite an undertaking for the Gala Committee

shows, having to take painkillers to be able to which was organising events for the first time.

dance, but it was not as strenuous as ballet school On the committee were two people I had known
and well worth it. for many years: Ernest Ainley and Jean Tuthill, later

Around the age of 20 there was to be a Brighouse to be his wife. Both I had known from the age on

Gala for the first time since the war. A ball was to nine, being involved in the various shows. I was

be held at the Assembly Rooms with an audition to very happy to be asked to return to the Gala Day

choose the first Gala Queen. After being pressurised I after 25 years and again five years ago to head the

agreed to enter and during the evening about 12 parade for the 50th Anniversary and most of the

to15 girls paraded around the ballroom and after a Queens from previous years also attended. It was

couple of circuits one was chosen . another lovely day and I was made so welcome.

The winner was announced at midnight and low In 1972, I married and went to live in Clifton,
and behold it was me. along the road from The Black Horse Inn, which
had by then become my local. It was not long
before I was asked to be their Receptionist, which
was mornings only and suited me better that a full-
time position. This I really enjoyed and met many
celebrities who stayed there and who were
appearing at the Batley Variety Club. Cilla Black
and her husband Bobby were frequent visitors.

After two years my husband changed companies
and we went to live in Durham and that year, 1974,
my son Mark was born in Newcastle.

Judi Pilling, the new Brighouse Gala Queen being During the four years in the North East I was still
crowned by the Mayor, Councillor Dennis Goodger, having back problems. After many more x-rays and
blood tests I was eventually told the reason why I
at the Brighouse Assembly Rooms. had not been given a diagnosis. That was because
when someone is told what their problem is, they
I was escorted up on to the stage to sit on a throne then ask what the treatment is. As there was not
and was crowned by the Mayor of Brighouse. I had any for my complaint none of the consultants
a lovely satin sash put around me with Gala Queen had the courage to tell me that it was Anklosing
1965 printed on it in red and a pendant engraved Spondylitis, and I may well have a bent spine in
with the Brighouse Coat of Arms and on the back years to come. Thankfully so far that has not happened.
my name and year. I still wear it on occasions today.
In 1978, my husband changed jobs again and we
went to live in Milton Keynes.

7 

We saw the huge development of this town with its It only seems like Yesterday !!
new shopping mall, theatre, cinema, ice rink and an
amazing road system. When our son was 10 years
old I allowed myself to be talked in to applying for a
position as Secretary to the Head of Music at the
local music centre. I was successful and enjoyed
being in such a lively musical atmosphere.

After two years at the Music Centre, I was asked if This is one of those questions, ‘How long have those
I would like to be interviewed for the position of shops been there?’ Possibly 10 years, maybe 20, but
Autocue Operator for the BBC on the Open University you would be wrong. This is the Park Street development
Campus at Walton Hall. The Operations Director
from Autocue came up to Milton Keynes, and I was under construction July 28, 1986.
to have a trial period of two weeks in the studio with
the present operator who was leaving and let him
know if I wanted to take on that position.

I accepted and enjoyed working in the Television
Studios and being part of a professional crew and
knowing that at the end of the day the programme
was ‘in the can’ and it was ‘a wrap’ and the show’s
director would invite us up to the BBC bar for drink.
I met many celebrities over the years including John
Dankworth, his wife Cleo Lane, Russ Conway and,
David Jacobs.

I remained as the Autocue Operator at the BBC
OUPC (Open University Production Centre) for 20
years until the closure of the studios, a very sad day
for all the crew.

After 32 good years in Milton Keynes, we decided Over the years the Brighouse Market has been on a
10 years ago to move to the coast and we now live number of town centre sites. But how long has it been at
near Bexhill on Sea. We enjoy fantastic views along the current site ? Some readers will I am sure be
the bay to Eastbourne and Beachy Head. I walk surprised to know that the construction site dates back

along the promenade to June 1, 1991.
most days and life is
like one long holiday.
I attend a tap class
once a week and also
a line dancing class
and walk with friends
in the local area and on
various beaches
regularly.

Judi now, 55 years since In retirement I spend Construction of the town centre bypass dates back to
she was crowned the my spare time on one the early 1970s, almost 50 years ago!
first Brighouse Charity of my balconies
watching the sea come
Gala Queen in 1965. and go, sparkling like
diamonds in the
sunshine and a
glistening pathway in
the moonlight, how
wonderful is that?

8 

  Clean up campaign of 50 years ago

In 1949, Mr George Hall Parr, a familiar name to those Green and White. These were changed to ‘Dales’ in
readers who attended Rastrick Common School, later years but gradually this system of competition
had the idea of landscaping a neglected and untidy was dropped in favour of one annual competition.
piece of land – a local grot spot. Even in those days
you could not suddenly turn up on a piece of land It was also in his tenure of office that the tag of
and get on with it so Mr Parr had to consult the Rastrick ‘Modern’ School was ended with the new
Borough Parks Superintendent, Mr A. E. Garnett. title being Rastrick County Secondary School.

On December 22, 1954, after serving as Head
Teacher for 33 years and 4 months, George Parr
retired. Shortly before he retired he completed the
last duty of making his final entry in the school log
book by reporting there was a 100% attendance
except for one child who was absent with permission
– an entry that probably made him very happy.

The new Head Teacher was George Semmens,

who was at the school for almost seven years and it

was he who introduced school trips abroad for the

first time. The first trip was an eight-day trip to

Belgium with another similar trip in 1962 to Luxembourg

It was decided after much deliberation that a sloping and one to Austria in later years.

plot of land that could only be described as waste- Now, I wonder where these youngsters are these
land would be the plot the lads could go to work on. days, they will all be aged about 70 now - they are the
In no time at all the land began to take shape with Rastrick County Secondary School class of 1E in 1961.
the lads from Rastrick Common School making a

fine job of it.

With help from the Parks Department staff and Mr

Parr, the lads planted well over 300 rockery plants.

Although it has been many years since that venture

into the world of gardening and working on the rockery

which overlooked Bramston Street ‘Rec’ the area

that was turned in to a gardening oasis has sadly

now long since disappeared. I am sure for most of

the boys it would have been their first venture in the

world of gardening and they will not have forgotten Back row from left: the Davies twins John and Philip;
that experience. Just who were the lads working in unknown; Max Crossley; John Bottomley; Ian
the early spring sunshine has long since been forgotten Kirkbright; Richard Sykes and Stephen Booth.
– unless you were one of those budding Percy

Throwers’ from 50 years ago. Second row, from back: John Helme; Angela

George Hall Parr arrived at Rastrick Common Wheeler; Pat Ellis; June Holton; Margaret Firth; Sylvia
School in 1921 and went on to be the second Heath and Ann Turner.

longest serving Head Teacher in the Borough, only Third row from back: Dorothy Sykes; Helen
missing out being the longest-serving by a mere two McIntosh; Sandra Popek; Catherine Wood; Margaret
weeks. That position went to Richard Carr who Jowett; Pat Addison; unknown and Jennifer
retired from the same school in 1920 having served Dinsdale.
as Head Teacher for 33 years and almost 5 months.

Front Row: Robert Hill; Colin Wright; Anthony Hall;
It was Mr Parr who in December 1933 introduced Brendan Casey and Eric Wickens.
a House system – the four houses were Red, Blue,

9 

 

Selling Beer from Home !

It is difficult to say when this picturesque view of the Shelf. Interestingly, from those surnames a number

‘Wheel Hoile’ at Norwood Green was taken. Looking of our modern day street names are derived.

at this photograph there can be no mystery as to This established the fact that a Corn Mill has
how it got its name. It was simply given the name been in this area for 458 years. During the 1700s
by the fact that the
wheel to the corn Jonas Bateman was the
mill was in a hole miller. In 1701, he
and was driven by married Susannah
the water from Coley Woods in the Wakefield
Beck. Cathedral, quite a
setting for a 41 year old

In 1845, the miller Halifax man and his

was a Benjamin bride.

Robertshaw, who However, a visit to the
was also a machine Coley Mill site today
maker. clearly shows this

The history of a structure has long since

Corn Mill at Norwood gone. In 1905, it was

Green can be traced being used by Terry

back to a trial in The Wheel Hoile standing side by side with the Coley Mill Inn and Learoyd, who
1562. Documents (right). Little remains of this once thriving community that made fire grids.

reveal that John served the area. But, it has been recorded in the annals of Further research
Rysshworth, of Coley history to ensure it is not forgotten. shows that as recently
Hall and Robert as 1946 the building was
Ramsden of Rastrick, still in existence but in a
who tenanted the very poor and dangerous
Rastrick Corn Mill state. Local children of
under Robert Elland, the time were under
the Lord of the Manor strict instructions from
of Brighouse had a their parents to ’Keep
dispute with a number Out’. But, possibly, boys
of his tenants on being boys they would
various farms in the have been tempted to
Hipperholme town- have a look inside.
ship, Shelf areas. All
In 1830, following the
the farmers were
introduction of the new
supposed to take
Coley Mill Inn, the licensee was Frank Rother and It served the Beerhouse Act, Coley
their corn to the mill needs of employees at the mill, but was also used by locals. It Mill Inn was granted a
at Rastrick to be closed during the 1920s. Today it is used as a shelter for live licence. It was just one
milled. of thousands of licences
stock rather that thirsty mill workers.

The trial had a successful outcome for the that were issued, all in an effort to reduce the

farmers, who won the right to take their corn to levels of gin drinking. Research would suggest
any corn mill including, Ox Hey’s corn mill, Shelf, that the last landlord at the inn was Zephaniah
Shibden, Northowram and Coley Corn Mill. The jury Leach. The inn was licensed to sell ale, porter and
at the trial included Henry Saville, of Bradley, tobacco but no spirits. The signboard on this photograph
John Waterhouse of Shibden, Thomas Saville of shows the name Frank Rother but there appears to
Elland and William Cooper of Dene House at be damage to the name and could be Frank Rothery.

10 

 

An Explosive Mix at Hipperholme

I regularly receive emails and telephone calls from In those days the Brooke’s chemical works ran non

people far and wide, who are generally looking for -stop with three shifts, with each shift consisting of

information about a piece of local history that has one foreman and three other men.
caught their interest or a m issing link in their family
history research. I will always try to help and just The night shift of December 21, was made up of
occasionally I c a n James Begg, 31; Herbert
p r o d u c e t h e answer Moore 30 years; Thomas
they are looking for. Walker Wilson, 58, the
foreman who was a former

It is almost 20 years teacher and had only taken

ago that I received an up his new role some 18

enquiry from someone months earlier; Thomas

who was looking into Smith-Shannon, 29; and

the circumstances of John Cockburn, 52. All died

how his grandfather was later from their injuries,

awarded the British In the 1920s the Brooke’s plant at Hipperholme and either at the scene or at
Lightcliffe supplied flags and stone all over the world.
Empire Medal in 1917. the Royal Halifax Infirmary.

The medals, there were five presented in total, Damage was considerable within the factory

related to a serious explosion at Brooke’s Chemical complex, but damage within the wider community

Works at Hipperholme. I have an extremely rare was limited to a few windows, no more than 400

copy of the official 1918 Home Office report into yards from the scene.

the causes of the explosion and, of course, details Chemical production at Brooke’s had been a
of the five employees who were killed.
source of local trouble for years. Richard Kershaw,

The tragedy happened on December 22, 1917, who was featured in a previous magazine (No.10),

and whilst this was a major event in the local had bought Crow Nest Mansion in 1876 following

community it was nothing on the scale of the Low the death of the owner Sir Titus Salt, Kershaw

Moor explosion the year before when many more himself died in 1917.

were killed, including a large number of fire-fighters His family believed that the manufacture of
who attended the scene.
chemicals particularly those with sulphur content had

There were few reports in caused serious damage

the newspapers and to the local environ-

certainly no details with the ment on the Crow Nest

wartime reporting estate and ultimately

restrictions prevailing at the affected its value once it

time. Rumours did get out was put on the open

that windows were rattled market.

and a few were broken as Although court
far away as Southowram. proceedings followed,

As a result of the massive no further action was

explosion at Low Moor the War taken against Brooke’s.

Department decided to have But a comprehensive

the picric acid which was series of photographs
used for high explosives The Brooke’s site being re-developed 1970 for the was taken and show
manufactured only at smaller Philips International electrical company new premises.  quite a lot of damage to

locations. Brooke’s was awarded one of the trees and shrubs and unhealthy content in the

contracts, having a chemical works on site. stream.

11 

During the late 1950s, I recall Mrs Kathleen Murray, site saw Crosslee, a new company, open in 1986.
who taught at Lightcliffe C of E School from 1939 to The name of the White Knight clothes drying
1966, telling her young class members, I was one machine was to become a respected name in the
of them, about the Lightcliffe people who all had
yellow coloured skin.

In an earlier magazine (No. 5), a young Eddie
Taylor, who worked in a wood-hut barbers shop
opposite the Dusty Miller in Hove Edge, recounted
he could recall men calling into his premises and
they all had yellow hair, which was a common
sight. The yellow colour in both of these situations
was from the sulphur chemicals at Brooke’s.

Crow Nest was never the same again. From its

glory days of Sir Titus Salt and Richard Kershaw, it

became nothing more than a damp-riddled shell David Ross and Derek Clee (Crosslee) celebrate the company’s
first anniversary with members of staff in June 1987.
within two years once the Kershaw family had sold
it. It was the Brooke family who bought the site, not

for the house itself, but for the land and its rich beds world of household electrical appliances. After 34
of stone.
years this company closed down last year , so

writing another page in the history of industry

in Hipperholme. Even today (2020) the site is well

underway to being demolished and cleared.

The next big question is what will become of the
site, housing? A potential huge development that
would likely cause serious problems in many areas
of the community. A new business park?. That
would certainly create jobs. Only time will tell.

A 1905 artist impression of Nonslip flags laid out in
the fields for curing.

To many the very name of Brooke’s conjures up
memories of the flagstone works in Hove Edge
and its eventual demise in 1969, when it closed
down. The works over many years always
employed young lads from the local community
with school holiday working. How many readers
can remember the day when the chimneys
were blown up and demolished.

The sight was sold to Philips, the international

electrical goods manufacturer.

Having been used for the

manufacture of such chemicals as British Empire Medals were presented on Wednesday
April 24, 1918, by Lord Harewood. The recipients are:
picric acid for the First World War Mrs Ethel Brown, Mrs Wadsworth (Miss Norah Egan),
Miss Alice Hanson, Miss Emily Brook, Miss Maud Fisher,
munitions, the land and site had Gunner Laurence Simpson RFA, Albert Lickess, Harry
Hepworth and John Brook. Presented to the brave
to be cleared of any
Hipperholme munition workers.
contamination. It was then

A rare Brooke’s re-developed.

munition The next step in the history of this
workers badge.

12 

Flashes Notes from the Council Chamber 1959/60 Flashes

October 29, 1977, the On March 21, 1960, The Highways Committee held June 21, 1937, bus
last mill chimney in a meeting at one of the Town Hall Committee Rooms. drivers and motorists
Brighouse was were surprised to see
demolished at Owler On the agenda was a letter the council had three white temporary
received from Mr James Mayes, who lived in The traffic signs in Thornton
Ings Road. Crescent, Southowram. The letter was read out to Square. These were
the committee. Mr Mayes was asking that consid- indicating to drivers to
July 28, 1943, eration be given to the street name be renamed ‘Keep Left’. With buses
Brighouse Council to ’Bungalow Crescent’, which he stated was still using Thornton
agreed that members the original name. It was suggested that this Square as a terminus
should travel first class would avoid the confusion which arose because in the town centre,
on council business. there were two streets known as ’The Crescent’, manoeuvring around
one being at Southowram and the other at these temporary signs
In 1948 The Delvers Hipperholme. The meeting asked that the Town created what was
Arms at Southowram Clerk obtain the view of residents at The Crescent, described as an obstacle
was closed and in 1955 Southowram, regarding the proposal. The same
the closure of the committee met on April 25, 1960, when the matter course.
Lanes Ends at Norwood was again discussed. The meeting resolved that
Green. Even after that the request be refused. December 8, 1909,
was closed it still left 54 Retired Ex-Sgt David
public houses in the town. The family of Mr Mayes owned and ran the Everett died at the home
shop known as Farrar Mayes at Bull Green of his daughter and son-
In 1957, Burton’s the House, Halifax from 1946 following the retirement in-law in Lee Street,
men’s outfitters at the of Arthur Farrar. Brighouse. He was 80,
corner of Commercial and one of the oldest
Street and Park Street On May 26, 1959, the Library and Art Gallery local survivors of the
closed. It had been Committee discussed the possibility of opening a Crimean War (1853 -
branch library at Clifton. The proposed site was to 1856), having taken the
opened in 1934 by be 40, Towngate, which had become available. The Queen’s shilling at the
members of the Burton Town Clerk had agreed a purchase price of £140. age of 22. He personally
family. There are two Additional land would be required but how and saw the remnants of the
commemorative stones where that would be from had not yet been decided. ’Noble 600’ the
at the entrance to the These days, with the library being a service of the survivors of the Charge
Brighouse Arts Centre past, it is now occupied by the successful and of the Light Brigade’.
which is on the first floor popular Capellis of Clifton Hair Studio.
above what is now Coral’s In 1943, it was reported
On June 22, 1959, the Water and Baths Committee that Reginald Marshall,
Betting Office. held a meeting at one of the Town Hall meeting the Ganny Lock-keeper
rooms. On the agenda was whether to buy a new dived into the canal and
The Brighouse Music wringer for the swimming baths in Mill Royd Street. rescued Edward Horsley,
Festival, had been a It was for use of bathers. The Baths Manager aged four from drowning.
regular event before the should investigate the cost. July 20, 1959, the
First World War and committee was informed this would be £8. It was Many readers will
was revived in 1921. It approved by the committee and was duly remember the shop
was held on the Brighouse purchased. owned by James A.
Cricket Field (which is Denham, in Bradford
now the site of Tesco’s Road. Better known a
Supermarket). This Penny Denham’s, a
event was successful as veritable Aladdin’s Cave
long as the weather held crammed with toys. The
up. Even moving to St shop closed in 1958.
Paul’s Church was not
enough and finally came

to an end in 1935.

13 

Banking in Brighouse - Part 2

In the last issue of the magazine I detailed the Between 1937 and 1938, the bank, now trading
history of banking in Brighouse. At the time of under the logo of The Midland Bank moved from
completing the story and the magazine I had not Briggate to 23, Market Street. The new building
been able to find the history of The Midland Bank. was designed by London based architects Whinney
I was pleased to receive some history of this bank and Hall, who designed most of The Midland
from the Press Office of the HSBC Bank who own Bank’s branches.
what was The Midland.
In 1939, the manager was Charles Wilkinson and
the branch had seven members of staff. That
number fluctuated during the Second World War
with four members of staff in the services.
Fortunately they all returned safely in 1946.

The three storey building opened as the London City
and Midland Bank branch.

The three-storey property at 38, Briggate, The Second World War comes to an end with a surprise
Brighouse, was opened as a branch of the London visit from a tank in Bethel Street.
City and Midlands on Friday, September 26,
1902, with Mr Sam Bennett as the new and its During the war years the bank employed a number
first manager. He was appointed from the of temporary staff including its first female member
Threadneedle Street office, in London, on an of staff. This was to continue with a near full service
annual salary of £250. for its customers as possible.

According to the bank’s archives, the Brighouse
branch was opened to the public in the October
with Thomas Baines Teale, as a clerk. Although
the bank was in a three storey building the
inside of the bank section was quite small.

Thomas Teal graduated from initially being a The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
bank clerk to be a property and landowner in the Corporation (HSBC) acquired a 14.9% equity interest
Ossett area. He owned three cottages which he in Midland Bank in 1987, and a strong working
rented out. He died on May 23, 1945, at his home relationship developed. In October 1989, First
in Ossett and left an estate to his wife valued at Direct was established and was at the forefront
£41,055. This amount today would have an of telephone banking, with person to person
approximate value of £1.7 million. service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

When the First World War broke out the manager In June 1992, the HSBC acquired full ownership

was Frederick Charles Sleap, who had replaced of The Midland Bank. In 1997, the Midland Bank

Sam Bennett in 1905, following his resignation. logo and signage disappeared from the UK high

The Midland Bank was started in 1836 in street having been renamed HSBC Bank.

Birmingham and over a period of time it grew, Let us hope the HSBC branch in Brighouse

acquiring a number of smaller banks including continues to give a lasting service to its

the London City Bank in 1898. It then became Brighouse customers.

the London City and Midland with a branch in

Briggate.

14 

Childhood Memories Fashion Parade at Southowram

As we get older there are some childhood Now who is this young model stepping out 52 years
memories which are never forgotten, particularly ago on the catwalk which had been erected for a
those from Christmas and remembering the standout special fashion parade at the Southowram Wesley
presents. It was always that certain Aunty and Methodist Sunday School ?
Uncle that bought you a compendium of games or
a chocolate selection box. You could always count
on one particular relative who would always send
you a book, probably one of the Christmas annuals,
maybe the Dandy and Beano, or the Jackie and the
Guinness Book of Records was always a good
stocking filler. Or maybe one of the more serious
books, yet another one by Charles Dickins?.

But, then there were the tough times, particularly
during and after the war years. Rationing was still
on and to get even an orange was a real treat.

Madeleine Wilson who told us a wonderful story She was one of 10 children who were involved in
in our last issue about the book she wrote, not long this fashion parade. During the event 130
after her 79th birthday. garments were modelled. If you know who she is
please contact the editor.
Now she relates a memorable journey from
home, on a dark Christmas Eve morning New Golf Course Visitors
from Kirk Lane, Hipperholme with her mother to
walk to Halifax to queue for a rabbit for the All ready for the tee off, from the left: James Flower
family’s Christmas dinner. (10), Naomi Walker (seven) and Luke Gaunt (nine),
who were amongst the 700 visitors to the new Crow
The journey took them Nest Park Golf Club open day in May 1995. On
through Shibden Park, hand to help these youngsters are green keeper
where they crunched Jim Brown and club chairman Richard Harrison.
through the frost covered The new course was due to open in June.
grass and created a heart
shape in footprints.

Even though she had
two pairs of socks on
inside her ‘wellies’, she recalls the pain in her feet
with the cold, and her chilblains that were rubbing
and so painful.

Standing in line The Palace Fruit and Vegetable shop,
just before it opened, a man wearing a green apron
walked down the line carrying an up turned dustbin
lid, with oranges cut in quarters for all the
children.

This was her first taste of an orange and she ate
it all, including the skin. Little did she know until
Christmas morning, her mother had bought one for
her Christmas stocking — such a treat.

Now aged 80, Madeleine has never forgotten that
early morning walk to buy a rabbit and taste her
very first orange.

15 

  Best Spit and Polish for the School Photograph

Have you still got your school photographs ? You Quite often the school will store them in the

may not have seen them for years, but hopefully outer reaches of a store cupboard and again

they are still tucked away in that old shoe box in the will rarely if ever see the light of day again.

dark corner of a cupboard somewhere. I would like to suggest that schools that

This class photograph is at Carr Green School, still have these hidden g e m s c o u l d h e l p t h e

Rastrick, and is dated between 1939 and 1940. It s c h o o l b u d g e t b y making them available for

was taken in Miss sale. The children

Ambler’s infants of the time would

class. probably be

The headteacher of delighted to buy
the infants at the time them now, which
this photograph was could be anything
taken was Miss Cocker from 10 to 50
and the headteacher years since they
of the juniors was were originally
Mr J Furness. taken .

I am sure all these Carr Green

children remember School was formally

the day they all went Carr Green Junior and Infants School was opened in 1912 and opened in 1912 by
from being in the
closed c:1977 and was replaced by a new school close by. the Chairman of

infants to join the bigger world of the juniors. To t h e E d u c a t i o n Committee, Dennis Hardaker.
move up from being one of the oldest and possibly He had been appointed on to the first Borough
the biggest at that age to becoming the youngest Council in 1893.

and one of the small- Returning to

er juniors often came this photograph:

as a bit of a shock — Back row, from

its a new beginning. the left: Roger

The school closed Dean, Paul
c:1977 and was r e - Walker, Brian
configured i n s i d e Schofield, Donald
and was re-opened Barkham, Peter
as a residential Bishop, Herbert
home for the elderly. Since the home was Broadbent,
closed it still remains empty (November 3, Kenneth Armitage, Doreen Brought, Margaret
2020). Hoyle, Betty Smith, Unknown, David Kaye,
Jack Hoolahan, Eric Hartley and Unknow.
When the school was in the planning stages in
Middle row: Louis Schofield, Pat Walker,
1910 serious consideration was given to a
Shirley Brooke, Betty Gee, Unknown,
swimming pool in the basement. But with the Unknown, Kathleen Senior, Eileen Eastwood,
costs to build the school estimated at £5,000,
Sadie Joyce, Rosie Robinson and Eileen
the swimming pool never materialised.
Fielding.
When it is time for the photographer to
visit school, for various reasons some Front row: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown,
families choose not to buy the prints. So, what David Hirst, Unknown, Raymond Brook, Maurice
happens to these unwanted pieces of individual Parkin, Alan Bedford, David Crossley,
family history. Malcolm Reed, Jack Hawtin and Unknown.

16 

An Evolving Town Centre

I am sure some readers will no doubt remember have disappeared all together. Those walks to

when many parts of the town centre took on the school for many of the students usually began at the

appearance of a Lunar landscape. That takes us old bus station, which is now the site of the

back to the 1970s, when the town centre went Wellington Arcade.

through its last ma- The old St Martin’s
jor redevelopment trans- School went on to be the
formation with the Brighouse Further Education
building of the by- Centre and was where I taught
pass and all the demo- for almost 30 years local
lition work that went history evening classes.
with it.
Whilst the old school is
The work seemed to go still there, it is now the
on and on, with some home of the Edge Cafe
people at the time actually and Play Gym and the
doubting the need for a Little Learners Pre-School
multi-million-pound Daycare Centre.
bypass in the first place.
As a result of all the
But, looking back now, The new by-pass carves a route through the town centre

where would we be today changing it forever seen here in September 1976. major changes caused by the
without it? You cannot imagine today’s volumes of new bypass almost all of the familiar shops
traffic making its way through the town centre, from that period have disappeared.

particularly on the merry-go-round system we have Whilst the names may have changed new shops
today now.
have replaced them many times over since the 70s.

In this photograph of September 1976, you can The changes will never stop people from visiting
see the partially constructed by-pass carving a way the out of town shopping malls and the planners
through the town centre. In Bradford Road, where know that, but it will hopefully encourage more of us
the Oddfellows Hall had stood from 1850, it was to spend more in Brighouse.
swept away and with it almost all the narrow
back- to- back streets of Oxford Street, Upper
Oxford Street, Well Street and Back Bonegate .

The original plans of the 70s was to create a
western by-pass which would have sent the road
not on its almost circular route around the back of
the Black Bull and over the Anchor Bridge, but
through the present-day Owler Ings car park and
over a new bridge across the canal into the Daisy
Street car park.

That was 44 years ago and the idea was left on
the drawing board. But every now and then someone
involved with the council will come up with an idea
to possibly revive the very same plans.

Those readers who attended the old St Martin’s The 1970s by-pass has yet to be completed but the
School will remember the climb up Churchfields basic new layout is a lot more apparent now that
Lane or Parsonage Lane, two roads that were part
of the 70s redevelopment plan and which in parts everything in its path has been demolished.

17 

Community Focus   New Starters 63 years Ago Community Focus

October 6, 1978, this May 16, 1977, was the
day The Gargantuan
was a big day at the Black Wellington Boot
Championships was
pedestrian crossing in held at ‘Wellyholme
Park’. This was a fund
Huddersfield Road, raising event organised
by Brighouse Round
opposite what was Table, when 30 teams
from all over the North
Whiteley’s Corner of England took part.
It was expected that
(William Hills Betting between 500 and 600
people would attend to
shop these days). After watch this spectacle.
The event also held the
waiting almost 12 greasy pole jousting
contest and the raw egg
months, the first Pelican catching contest. The
winning team were
crossing was finally presented with the ‘Boot’
at the Stardust Showbar
officially opened by It is 63 years ago since this photograph was taken by the comedian George
County Councillors Bill — the lads who are still around will be in their 70s Rope. This was another
now and will begin to wonder and ask themselves great fund raising idea
Weaver and Trevor ‘Where have all the years gone’? from the Round Table.
Park. Traffic Warden
Geoff Taylor had been These are Form 1 students at Rastrick Grammar June 4, 1946, was a
monitoring the public School who were starting life at a new school. special occasion for five
reaction to the new road Gone had the days of being a big fish in a small
safety measure. He pond at their respective junior schools — here they Brighouse residents,
reported that it was well were they were the small fish in what must have Councillor Eric Leach
received particularly by felt like a huge pond. It was certainly a life -changing who was the Chairman
period. of the Brighouse National
older pedestrians. Savings Committee:-
Their first year at the Grammar school was Norah Whiteley, Camm
June 1982, the choir of the year the Rastrick Carnival, which had been Street savings group,
St Andrew’s Junior popular between the two wars, finally came to an Edith Smith, Council
School entertained the end. That same year the council took the decision Gas Works savings
visitors to the Mayor of to spend £36,000 on some new nurseries at group. John Ward:-
Calderdale’s ‘At Home’ Woodhouse. This was where many of the plants
needed for the council would be grown. However, secretary of the
gathering at the it would be another six years before the nurseries Lightcliffe National
Brighouse Civic Hall . were finally opened. Many years later the nursery School savings group:
This event was held was swept a side for a new housing development. and Mary Sykes,
each year and gave the Cookson Street and Ivy
local people chance to Street savings group.
meet the new Mayor They were five of the
7,000 national savings
Councillor David Shutt. Form 1 in 1957 included, back row from the left: workers who had been
As well as the choir Terence Wickens, James Lord, Neville Canon, invited to Buckingham
performing Helena Roger Sykes, Michael Barke, Martyn Haigh, Frank
Brooks, (10) was also Roebuck, John Payne, David Shaw, and Edmund Palace .
Husband.
performing on the violin.
That is 38 years ago, I Middle row: Laurence Dalkin, Terence Bates,
Michael Fenton, Trevor Atkinson, John Ramsden,
wonder if she is still Aubrey Collins, Paul Whiteley, Tony Edley,
around and maybe still Edmund Arnold, Timothy Hepworth, David Taylor
playing the violin ? If n o t and David Hardie.
she may still remember
that day. The Mayor,

became The Rt Hon, Front row: Alan Brookes, Graham Wilkinson,

Lord Shutt of Greetland, Gerald Edwards, John Marshall, John Dunleavy,

a member of the House Mr ‘Tex’ Williamson, who was also responsible for

of Lords. He passed away the school scout group, John Topham, Robert Mellor,

October 30, 2020. Leslie Holland, Martyn Dowell and Stanley Holroyd.

18 

In the Public Eye — Henry Sugden JP., CC.

Henry Sugden, was the fifth son of Thomas As Henry grew older he spent less time at his mill

Sugden, who had settled in Brighouse c:1818. Henry and more into his public duties in the town. In 1871

was born in 1837 and was educated in Wakefield he became a member of the Brighouse Local Board

and then in Sheffield. At the (the forerunner to the Borough

age of 16 he left school, and Council).

went to work for his father. But His first position on the Board
after 12 months he went to was chairman of the Brighouse
work for John Whiteley, a Gas Committee. This was at a
cotton spinner in Ripponden. time when the gasworks were

Four years later he left and doing well, and the benefits were

formed a partnership with felt by all the ratepayers. From

Charles Jones Ormerod of 1884 to 1887 he was chairman of

Rastrick and started a the Board and during this period

business at Grove Mills Elland, the new public offices were built

as cotton spinners. This was in Bethel Street. It was Henry

now 1858 and the partnership Sugden who performed the

lasted for about six years. opening ceremony. Thornton

This was due to Mr Ormerod Square was something that was

retiring from the business. not to appear for another 25

Henry was then joined by his years.

brother, James Sugden, to In 1888, he was elected as a
help him run the business. member for Brighouse and

In 1865, whilst Henry was Alderman Henry Sugden J.P.,CC, in 1893 Rastrick on the West Riding
away in Scotland, a huge and County Council and re-elected

damaging fire started at the mill. The total losses three years later. In 1892 he was appointed a

were estimated to be between £10,000 and county magistrate.

£12,000. On his return from Scotland the whole mill He was a longstanding active member of Bridge
had been destroyed.
End Church, and for many years was a Sunday

Two months later having decided to leave Elland, School teacher. In 1869 he had been appointed

he went to live at Canal Lodge in Brighouse. the superintendent of the Sunday School, on the

retirement of Thomas Theodore Ormerod, who had

run the family wine and spirit business H. & T. T.

Ormerod.

Henry was appointed one of the first Alderman
on the new Brighouse Borough Council in 1893.

The new George Street Mills c1895, off Armytage Road Returning to his George Street Mills, these
Brighouse. covered an area of 90 yds (82.3 meters) by 32 yds
(29.2 meters). The central section of the building
It was not long after he and his brother James was six storeys high, with the adjoining buildings
organised the building of George Street Mills, ranging from two to four storeys.
Brighouse.
The business was involved not only in cotton spinning
but also doubling (the process of plying and twisting
two or more stands of cotton together) and cotton
warp-making. All woven fabrics are formed using
two sets of yarns, one is called Warp and the other is
called Weft. Warp yarns are normally made from

19 

 swthroenrgeaysarwnesfwt yhaicrhnsrurnunlehnogrthizwoinstealinly.aTphieecweaorfpfaisbric, On July 5, 1940, disaster struck, when the whole
mill was destroyed by fire. The losses were estimated

produced first on a beam and then the weft yarn is to be at least £200,000, and on today’s monetary

inserted over and under the warp. value would be £11 million.

The cotton produced was for both the home The owner of the mill at this time was Samuel

and foreign markets. These overseas markets Driver Ltd. The premises had been tenanted by

included China and Japan. The mill operated Universal Furnishing Stores, whose head office was

65,000 spindles and 12 machines for warp making. in Manchester. This company in later years would

The mill machines which were to complete these be known as Great Universal Stores (GUS), but,

processes were powered by engines of 700hp. The had been requisitioned by the Government for the

company at its peak Wool Control and

employed 350 people. storage of bales of wool

It was at an auction along with many other
held on Monday items — all highly
October 8, 1860, at inflammable.

the Royal Hotel, that The first signs of a

40 Lots described as fire was smoke being

freehold land for seen coming out of the

building and mills roof. One of the last

were offered for sale. people to leave the mill

The land was being was the caretaker, an

sold on behalf of employee of Samuel

Sir George Armytage, Driver’s, Mr Chipchase,

of Kirklees Hall. who had left the premises

A number of Lots EPW050767 The Samuel Driver Ltd Warehouse and at about 6pm, having
surrounding industrial works, George Street Mills made his final checks
were purchased, and
inside. Even when he was
the resulting building Brighouse, 1936 © Historic England.

work included George Street Mills. It was this sale on the bus going home and

that many of the new street names were decided. seeing the first fire engine he had no idea where it
was going. The first inclination of the fire he heard
Armytage Road was named after Sir George
whilst having his tea at home in Hove Edge.
Armytage, and a number of his family members.

As the Sugden’s business grew on May 1, 1875, Brighouse Council’s fire engine, the ‘Robert
Henry and James Sugden went into an agreement Thornton’, attended but had pumping problems.
with spinner Thomas Blackburn, to a yearly tenancy Other services attending were from Blakeborough’s,
of the Atlas Mill, Atlas Mill Road, Brighouse. The Walshaw Drakes, the local Auxiliary Fire Service
tenancy would commence on May 20, at an annual and from Halifax.

rent of £840.15 shillings and four-pence. Little did This brought the end to a mill which was built in

they know then that Atlas Mill would be destroyed 1860 and was to employ countless generations of

by one of the biggest mill fires the town had ever local people. Some 80 years later it had been

seen, on December 21, 1898. gutted by a huge fire and was to fade into the

On September 30, 1902, aged 65 Henry Sugden annals of Brighouse’s industrial history having
disappeared within two days.
died. At the time of his death he was living at

’Woodfield’, Brighouse. As a permanent reminder of Henry Sugden, the

I have not yet been able to ascertain when the S u g d e n Memorial Hall in Bridge End was built in
Sugden’s business at George Street Mills closed, but his honour and opened in 1903. At Brighouse
there is some suggestion c1929. Between 1929 and Library there is a wall plaque and a bust as further
1940 the mill appears to have changed hands at tributes. Henry Sugden can truly be described as
least twice. one of the founding fathers of modern Brighouse.

20 

The Memories are Flooding Back!

Can you remember that incredible summer of 44 On September 3, standpipes were installed in the
years ago? I am sure many readers will be able to streets of Calderdale, and then within 18 days, the
recall those few months in 1976. first local prosecution under the hosepipe ban was
heard at court. On September 25, it finally all came
Mopping out time at Hillard’s in the memorable to an end when the heavens opened, and the fire
summer of 1976. service was inundated with calls for flooding.

October 5, standpipes were removed, and many
parts of Calderdale were suffering from the effects
of flooding. By mid-October, reservoir levels were
reported to be back to almost normal for the time of
year. This brought an end to what was described
as the worst drought for 150 years.

Whilst some people were taking advantage of the
water in the Ford in Thornhill Beck Lane to wash
their cars, with some getting into trouble with
authorities at Yorkshire Water.

The quality of life was reported as being much
better with a more affordable cost of living back
then – petrol was 77p a gallon, a pint of beer 32p
and a loaf 19p. Crime was on a downward slope,
and of course, there were far fewer cars on the road
than today. Now for the bad news, the New Year for
many started off really badly - chips were off the
menu in many households. The price of potatoes
had rocketed and were so expensive many people
were turning to rice and pasta.

Mortgages were at a fixed interest rate of 10.5%, Taking advantage of the water by car washing in the
Richard Dunn's chance at the world heavyweight Ford. Not something to be recommended, otherwise
boxing championship came and went. It was also the
year that Percy Shaw the inventor of the reflecting you will be in deep water with the authorities!
road stud (cats’ eyes) died aged 86. By the October
the mortgage rate went up to 12.5% with no signs of
it coming down in the immediate future.

The one thing all those who were around in 1976
will remember above all else will be the weather
when it got hotter and hotter. By June 24, Calderdale
was declared a drought area. Temperatures were at
record levels and the length of time without rain and
such high temperatures soon started to have a
major effect.

Extra drought powers were announced and by This advertisement is for the refreshment rooms at 9,
July 21 the district was on standby for standpipes Gooder Lane, in 1905. These premises are still
being sent out. This was the year I was moving into
our new home and standpipes were a strong refreshment rooms, trading now as the Station Cafe.
possibility.

21 

A Marathon Excursion to the North West in 1968

Thursday, 22 February, 1968, was chosen to be the
day of the marathon excursion to the North West.
69 pupils from Hipperholme Grammar School ,
aged from 11 to 18, one member of staff and two
guests formed the party. The pupils assembled
in Bramley Lane as the 49-seater Yorkshire
Woollen District Coach arrived. Pupils were
allocated their own places, with three to a double
seat, this being permitted when there were not
more than six adults present.

There had been an overnight snowfall, not

uncommon for this time of year, but beyond Keighley

there was no sign of it. The weather remained Carnforth Station sidings some of the boys examining
settled for the rest of the day. The journey the steam train. This would almost be a last look with

continued through Skipton and Settle and then on the end of the steam era just around the corner.

to minor roads passing through picturesque villages.
Morecambe, not exactly thriving at this time of year.
The coach arrived at Carnforth around 11.30 and First, the bus depot and garage had to be located,
the boys were given free access to the extensive arrangements having been made in advance to
train sidings at Carnforth Station. At a later date it show a party of school-children around. The staff at
became known as this modest-sized garage were amazed when a
‘Steam Town’. Boys total of 70 people suddenly invaded their depot —
were at liberty to
filling it to capacity. But, they were very welcoming
climb into the cabs at and the boys were very well behaved.
will, provided of
course they did not Again they were given a certain amount of freedom,
try to drive the having access to the very old vehicles though not in
engines! the driver’s cabs — avoiding the temptation to try
and drive them.
Packed lunches
were consumed in a Many of the AEC buses in the fleet of vintage
number of different vehicles were delicensed for the winter and were up
places, at different to 25 years old, with some still using petrol rather
times, on the way than diesel. All were very well maintained and ready
there and even by a for use.

few on the way back. The journey back started around 4pm, this time

But, at 1.45pm, using a route to the West of the Pennines and
1st Former K. Sunderland and about 25 of the pupils consisting mainly of dual carriageways.
3rd Former M. Hays, in front of
a steam engine at Carnforth. It formed an instant Thanks were given, and a ‘whip round’ for the
was only a few months later choir and sang a half- ever patient driver, Mr Secker from the Dewsbury

that the last steam train ran. hour recital with depot, who drove the coach with both patience and

organ interludes and skill. Though most pupils, and myself, showed
vocal solos. It was certainly an unknown quantity, distinct signs of fatigue, all agreed that it was a
holding a recital at that time of day, at that time of wonderful day out.
year and with an unknown choir. But about 30

people attended and showed their appreciation. Philip C. Tordoff

This was held in Christ Church, Carnforth. Were you on that day out 52 years ago ? Please

The final call required a drive of just a few miles to contact the editor with your memories of that day.

22 

A Letter from New Zealand

I was born in Halifax at the General Hospital in than 2,000 students. I felt totally lost, being the new

1958. My whole family lived kid in the class and was generally known as ‘that

in Highroad Well, Halifax, girl with the funny accent’. I did not settle until well

where my parents owned into the 6th form, staying on to take GCE A ‘Levels

the newsagent shop and to complete my Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s

opposite the Golden Lion Award (the motivation for the latter being the

public house. invitation and visit to Buckingham Place to receive

Melissa on the left with two the award, which I did a short while after leaving
cousins, who also lived in school).

Highroad Well in 1967 At 18, after A-Levels, I joined the Alliance Building

My father worked at Websters Society Head Office in Hove, Sussex, and started

Brewery, initially in sales my career in Information Technology, initially as a

then setting up their computer department, while my computer programmer. After spending a year

Mother and my Grandmother ran the shop. working in the software development team at

I attended Warley Road Infants School until my Excess Insurance in Worthing, Sussex, I was
parents moved to Hipperholme. I went to Hipperholme fortunate to be offered a job with a large consulting
Infants School before Lightcliffe C of E Junior School. company based in Surrey. It was there, in fact on
I have so many happy memories of those childhood my first day, I met my future husband. He had
years….being a member of Lightcliffe Girl Guides recently returned from running their Houston office
and learning to ride at Pond Riding School in Hove and after spending a year back in England, the
Edge. I am still in regular contact and very close dreadful winter of 1986/7 and “losing” a white car in
friends with one of my school mates from all those a deep snowdrift, we decided we should definitely
years ago in Hipperholme. find a warmer climate! So, the trip was planned.

Much to the horror of my parents, we left England

in early March 1987 with four suitcases, having sold

our two houses in Surrey and Sussex, and set off

on a trip around the world. We had no idea where

we were going to end up. While still in England, we

had talked to an employment agent from Australia,

but this was a great opportunity to take a break from

our careers and to travel to a part of the world I had

only ever read about. There were so many places

we wanted to see. We visited Hong Kong, Singapore,

Thailand, Indonesia, distant family in Australia and

finally arrived in New Zealand. We arrived on Anzac
Hipperholme Infants School. This was closed in 1989 Day, a public holiday in both Australia and New
and demolished in 2000. The site was then
redeveloped for housing. Zealand. Needless to say, everything, shops,

After Junior School I followed in my Mother’s restaurants and pubs, including the hotel were
footsteps and went to Sowerby Bridge Grammar closed. We had to find a security guard at the hotel
School until the end of the fourth form in 1974, to let us in and to give us access to the room we
when my father’s work took our family to Brighton in had booked. The restaurant and bar were closed
Sussex. What a culture shock that was for me. It too so the security guard offered to make us toasted
was a difficult time to move for me being in the sandwiches – not a good start!

middle of O Level studies, aged 15. The new New Zealand became our new permanent home

school in Sussex was a massive characterless totally by chance. After enquiring about some

concrete monstrosity of a comprehensive with more temporary work, we were both offered good permanent

23 

jobs in the technology consulting field within days of We have lived in a rural setting in the wider

arriving in Auckland. Work permits were quite easy Auckland region for most of the last 28 years. We

to obtain for IT professionals in those days and were have had horses, cattle, a few chickens, sheep and

organised for us by our new employer. It is quite bred alpacas. At the end of 2019 we downsized our

different nowadays and work permits are much property, reducing the amount of land we have to

harder to obtain and only granted for preferred manage, and bought a small house with just three

trades and allocated on a points system. acres in the ‘winterless’ north of the North Island.

After a few months living close to Auckland city We have a single storey house surrounded by
centre, we decided New Zealand had plenty to offer volcanic rock walls and two paddocks, which give
us in terms of both work and relaxation. It really is a our two dogs, two cats and one chicken plenty of
beautiful part of the world and, especially in today’s room to run around.

pandemic ridden society, it is relatively safe. We Today, we are both fully retired from our corporate

decided to stay for a while, making Auckland, lives. I fill my days with gardening, doing voluntary

frequently referred to as the City of Sails, in the work for the local Riding for the Disabled Association

North Island our home. We applied for and were and my art (painting in acrylics), and more recently,

granted New Zealand permanent residency. We illustrating children’s

bought a plot of land and built a house, quickly novels.

settling into the Kiwi way of life. We filled our spare In retirement, Melissa
time, and vacations with restoring, racing and is busy with her
rallying classic cars around the New Zealand artw o r k a n d n o w
countryside.
also illustrating

children’s novels.

In 2018, I was
fortunate to be
awarded the Estuary Arts Centre Student Merit
Award for my Garden Tui painting in acrylics. In the
2019 Annual Awards I was awarded the People's
Choice Award for my Tui Portrait painting .

The climate here is very kind to old cars and our first We still live close to a small city, Whangarei, and
restoration was an Austin Healey 3000, soon to be civilisation, but far enough away from suburbia to
followed by a 1965 Mini which was converted into a enjoy the peaceful country life and fantastic scenery
Mini Cooper replica with 1360cc engine and a full that New Zealand has to offer.

roll cage – ready to race and rally. This was an amazing

way to see a great deal of the New Zealand

countryside, albeit very close to the ground and at

incredible speeds on closed roads! We rallied and ‘Field of Poppies’.

raced classic cars for more than 10 years.  (Acrylic Painting on

We qualified as open-water and rescue scuba Boxed Canvas). To

divers shortly after arriving in New Zealand and took see further examples

every opportunity to travel around the Pacific Islands of Melissa’s art work
including Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tahiti, please take a look at
Rarotonga and visited several Australian states.
her website:

The diving in the Pacific is incredible and the waters www.melissabellart.com

are usually warm and clear with an abundance of

marine life. There are still a few Pacific islands we

have not yet visited – they are waiting to be crossed

off the bucket list!

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 — The Wellholme Park footbridge on a wintery day in February 1991.
Could the bridge have been built before the first Brighouse Charity Gala in 1965 or not long after during
the 1970s? Whilst I do have a photograph of it under construction it is not dated, perhaps you could help?