Silsden -- A Living History
Capturing the essence today of a small Yorkshire town, whose roots are planted firmly in a rich heritage
Friday, 8 November 2024
Friday, 1 November 2024
New barber Blendz into the continuing changes in Kirkgate
No 74 Kirgate, previously occupied by Silsden Vets, has a new lease of life as a barber's shop, run by Haider Ali, who is pictured above at the premises. He has been a barber for six years and the Silsden venture, called Blendz, is his first own-account business. Ali, who is from Wibsey, says he chose to open in Silsden because it looked a good place to be.
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Wharfedale naturalist's focus on the changing biodiversity of the local countryside
Silsden Campaign for the Countryside organised a talk on the changing biodiversity of our local countryside. The speaker was Dr Ian Brand (on the left), who chairs Wharfedale Naturalists. He is pictured with Caroline Whitaker, one of Silsden's three Green Party councillors at City Hall, and Mark Wogden, who chairs Silsden Campaign for the Countryside. The well-attended illustrated talk was held at Silsden Methodist Church on Tuesday October 29th.
Sunday, 27 October 2024
Popular Kurdish barber takes a short cut to Kirkgate (from Bolton Road)
Popular Kurdish barber Saim Sarwan (pictured above), who opened his first shop at 5 Bolton Road, Silsden, in April 2021, has moved to No. 49 Kirkgate, which Saim says is bigger and in a better location than his previous premises (see my Blog of June 30th 2021), which he has vacated. The new shop is called Master Fade. The fade is a stylish and fashionable haircut. The customer pictured above having a flame treatment is Tom Cunningham.
No. 49 Kirkgate was a pharmacy for a long time but then had three changes of use in the last five years, as The Yorkshire Vaper, Dessert Bae and Raven Forge before its dazzling transformation into Master Fade.
Friday, 25 October 2024
New Briggate hairdresser sees more opportunities ahead as Silsden expands
After more than 20 years as a hairdresser renting space at other shops, Laura Davison has opened her own business, called Themis, in Briggate. Laura is pictured standing (left) with Bethany Lazenby, who will be renting a chair at the newly refurbished shop, which is pictured below. Laura was a hairdresser in Bradford and Halifax before taking a chair in Cross Hills and then for the last two years or so in Silsden. She has gone into business on her own account in Silsden spurred by the prospect of increased local housing offering more new customers.
Laura has chosen the shop's name in memory of the legendary singer-songwriter and poet Jim Morrison, of the 1960s rock band The Doors, whose interests included Greek mythology.
Laura has chosen the shop's name in memory of the legendary singer-songwriter and poet Jim Morrison, of the 1960s rock band The Doors, whose interests included Greek mythology.
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
End of an era as one of Silsden's oldest and best-known businesses moves out of BriggateThe Silsden estate agents business started by Dennis Knowles more than 60 years ago has left its Briggate home (pictured above). Notices in the windows announce that Whitaker Cadre, which describes itself as a lettings specialist with offices in Ilkley, Leeds and Harrogate, has acquired Knowles by Zenko Properties. Knowles Estate Agency was sold to Leeds-based Zenko a few years ago by owner Michael Knowles, son of the founder. Whitaker Cadre says it has merged the Silsden acquisition with its Ilkley office and can be found at The Point in Lower Railway Road, Ilkley. The Briggate office employed three people.
Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Charlotte or should it be shallot? A new face at the allotments
Gardening friends Linda Waterhouse (pictured on the left) and Liz Mortimer have added a newcomer to their Silsden allotment. Their skilfully assembled scarecrow, tastefully named Charlotte, has become a growing hit with the other members of Silsden Allotment Association. Linda and Liz each gardened larger plots until they decided to downsize this year. Rather than give up their hobby, they agreed to share a smaller plot, which still has room for Charlotte to be a colourful showpiece.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)