I was born in Hull in 1927 the eldest of 9 children. We were evacuated to Crosshills in 1943 after our house was damaged in an air-raid. I served in the Army for three and a half years and I married in 1952. We had 4 children before we moved to Keighley. I have lived at Beechcliffe for 40 years. My wife passed away 14 years ago. I was on Glusburn Parish Council for 3 years. I have been a member of Keighley Angling Club since 1943 and am now the Club President I am also a Vice President of Keighley Disabled Peoples Centre. I am at present the Deputy Mayor of Keighley Town Council and have been a Councillor since May 2003. I am a member of K.F.H.S. and several other Clubs. I am also interested in Local History and enjoy gardening.

I moved to Utley just over 5 years ago. I took to studying in my late 40s and undertook my first degree (B.A.) in English and Modern History. I quickly followed that with a second degree (M.A.) in Social and Cultural History and at present I’m undertaking my Doctorate (Ph.D) at Leeds Metropolitan University. As a Social Historian, Keighley struck me as a place with a fascinating radical history. In order to meet more people with similar interests I decided to join the Society. After a few months of membership I applied for the post of Vice Chair (as no one seemed to want it!). I have been Vice Chair for the Society for approximately 2 years. I am married with a grown-up son and a stepdaughter. My interests are: anything history, gardening, walking, reading, going to the theatre and listening to music.

I joined the Society in January 2005, and was co-opted to the Committee in January 2007. I was then appointed Secretary in April 2007. I have worked for 40 years in the civil service, which has provided me with ample qualifications for the role of secretary for the Society. I am also an adviser at Keighley Citizen's Advice Bureau, secretary of Glusburn Institute and vice chairman of Skipton and Craven Historical Society. 

Having reached a 'certain age' I now work part time as an Accounts/Payroll Administrator so I find I have more time to follow my interests. History was always a favourite subject and since starting to delve into my family history several years back, local history has become more important. It seems to be taking over my life as I am attending Bradford University part time to study for a degree in Local and Regional Studies. When not reading or 'surfing the net' I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and the rest of my family.

I was born in Keighley and travelled around the country with my husband's job. I have four children. I worked in a secretarial capacity over the years, my last position being with Peugeot in Keighley. My interests are many BUT mainly local & family history, photography and walking our English Springer Spaniel who is 14 weeks old. I also enjoy D.I.Y. when in the mood!!! Travel is something I love to do and I have travelled extensively.

I studied at Leeds Metropolitan University and have an M.A. in Social and Cultural History. I’m married and live in Riddlesden, Keighley. My interests are local history, fly-fishing, gardening and Keighley Cougars. Currently I am researching the social and cultural aspects of music in Keighley from 1850 - 1950.

I’ve been in business for many years in Keighley trading as Goodyarns knitting wools and haberdashery. I was involved in various groups in the town and principally the Gala Committee. I’m now retired and live in Gargrave but my interests are still in Keighley.

Society website:

Yesterday

Haworth 1940s weekend

Every May the Haworth Traders Association organise a trip back in time to the 1940s. Last year over 15,000 people attended –so do join in the fun! On Saturday the 19th May there will be a fly past by a spitfire and a hurricane. The parade will be held on the Sunday and will include evacuees’, military vehicles, the Queen Mum and even Churchill. If you like to dance, why not attend the dances, which will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings.

As parking might be a bit of a problem, a steam train from Keighley Station could be a good idea.

And why not dress for the occasion- get into the true spirit of things!

Utility Clothing was introduced towards the end of 1941 by the British government in an effort to conserve raw materials (cloth, wool, leather etc.), which were in short supply. The styles of garments produced were subject to 'austerity' regulations, which limited how much cloth was used. For example pockets were restricted to only a few, a maximum length for men's shirts was introduced and a ban on turn ups for men's trousers.

Later the utility scheme included furniture as well as clothes and some other items. The scheme continued until after the war and was finally withdrawn in 1952.

Don’t forget to bring your camera, as you may want to capture some memorable moments.

1940s events in the area

History Surfers Corner

Hidden Lives Revealed

Jan janperkins@blueyonder.co.uk or by telephone 01535 661185

Now let’s get on with some history!

Newspapers are one of the most accessible primary resources available. Local libraries usually have archives of local newspapers that often date back to the early 1800s.They can be used for researching births, marriages and deaths. Newspapers generally report in great detail local events and occasions. Advertisements also provide all sorts of information about land property and retail outlets. The letters page can give insight into issues that happened within the community. Unfortunately, newspapers are not indexed, apart from

Here are a couple of local stories taken from newspapers to give you a flavour.

William Henry Naylor, 12, a mill-hand, of Aireville Terrace, Utley was killed on the Midland Railway near Keighley. The evidence at the inquest showed that the boy crossed the line for the mere purpose of crossing, and apparently to show a girl companion how near to a train he could cross. He passed safely in front of the train from Keighley but on returning he did not observe an express from Skipton, which was travelling at 50 miles an hour, and which struck him a hurled him into a side ditch. The driver did not see the boy, but when he got to Leeds he found a boy’s cap on the handle of his footplate headlamp. –A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

An unrehearsed accident happened on Tuesday night at Price’s Menagerie, which is one of the attractions at Armley Feast. A lion-tamer named William Walker was going through one of his performances when he was bitten in the leg by the lion. The occurrence is said to have been only an accident. Walker’s injury was not serious, but it was thought best that he should be taken to the Leeds Infirmary.

A gigantic child, whose name was Isaac Butterfield was born at Keighley, on the 20th February 1781. He was exhibited at the cane-shop in Spring Gardens. In November 1782, he measured (according to the advertisement in the public papers) 3 feet in height, 13 inches round his arm, 2 feet 2 inches round his thigh, 16 inches across his shoulders, and weighed near a hundred weight. The child died in Spring Gardens on the 1st February 1783.

Citation: Enfield,

Lynn Macgill

Members may be interested in attending this event.

The morning session will be devoted to recent archaeological excavations, site surveys and research by local societies. The recently discovered "Harrogate Hoard" - early 10th century Viking loot? - will feature. The afternoon session will be devoted to the Civil War - the siege of Pontefract Castle and battlefields in Yorkshire.

Tickets can be obtained by sending a cheque for £12 payable to Wakefield MDC to West Yorkshire Joint Services, PO Box 5, Nepshaw Lane South, Morley, Leeds, LS27 0QP. Please provide name and address, telephone number and e-mail address. Lunch is not included, but it can be purchased there or you can take a packed lunch. Contact Bernard Peel on 636117 if you want to know more.

Would you like to participate in a local and national project to study the Poor Law correspondence relating to the workhouse records of the Keighley and Bingley Union between 1834 and 1871?

The National Archives is seeking a grant for a project to be carried out in some 20 areas including Keighley. They will provide compact discs onto which the original records - letters etc - have been recorded. Those involved will examine the records, provide a summary and classify and categorise them. The results will be available on websites for historical research. Assuming success with the funding, the project is expected to start around next Easter. Training will be given. About 3 hours work per week is envisaged in one's own time and ideally on one's own computer. Some 10-20 volunteers are being recruited locally.

It was clear from an introductory session attended by some committee members that this will be a most interesting project. If interested please contact Bernard Peel on 636117.

For more information look at the following website

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/partnerprojects/workhouse/default.htm

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British Library Online Newspaper Archive

Search and view selected full-text newspapers, including

http://www.olivesoftware.com/

Online Newspapers

Site listing newspapers from around the world:

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/

The British Library - Newspaper Catalogue

The Waterloo Directory of English Newspapers, 1800-1900

Pay to view site, but you can have a free trial

The Internet Library of 18th & 19th Century Journals

http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ilej/

Finally - don’t forget to visit

<Our Own Website>

www.keighleyhistory.org.uk

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Jan:

Or

Chair’s Introduction

Welcome to our Spring issue of the newsletter. Since Keighley Library has been closed for renovation the Society talks have been held in Squire Smith Hall at Keighley College. The lecture hall is a comfortable room and we have the luxury of a stage if needed and plenty of seating. January’s speaker was Robert Whitehead who gave an interesting talk on the ‘Watersheds of the River Worth’. This was the first talk in the new hall and despite the dark nights, it was nice to see so many of our members. February’s speakers were Mr and Mrs Burrows presenting ‘Slides of Bradford, Keighley and other local scenes’. It was interesting to see so many buildings that have been lost over the years to the demolition crew, particularly in Bradford. Again the evening was very well attended. I would like to thank you for your support over the winter period and trust you will continue to enjoy the programme of talks over the coming months.

Cliffe Castle has received funds to enable a Social History Gallery to be added. It will open in 2008 – and they need your help!

The gallery will represent Keighley and Keighley people and Cliffe Castle would like to involve Keighley people by letting you have your say as to what you would like to see in there. The community gallery will provide a space for local people to mount their own displays on their own topics of Keighley’s social history.

School Days

Did you attend school in Keighley? If so why not write down your school

Your school day memories

We are hoping to compile a booklet of your days spent in Keighley’s schools.

History Surfers Corner

Lynn Macgill