Loyal subjects celebrate Queen's coronation in 1953

Residents in the Howden Road area are pictured at a Weatherhead Place party to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953. Standing third from left is well-known local benefactor Mrs Duncan Smith, whose husband (next to her in the waistcoat) was a Bradford textile manufacturer. They lived at Arncliffe in Howden Road, and later at a bungalow built for them in the grounds. Mrs Smith's first name was Amy but she was always known by her husband's name as Mrs Duncan Smith. Photograph from the late Neil Cathey's collection.

Coronation Day 1953 in Tufton Street. The shop by the cobbled passage halfway along the street will be well remembered by older Silsdeners.

A wider view of Tufton Street decked out for the occasion.

Abundant bunting at Knox's mill as workers celebrate the coronation of George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon as King and Queen in May 1937.

When Yorkshire cricketer was Golf Club captain

This photograph shows a Silsden Golf Club prize night in the 1960s. In the centre is club captain Alan Mason, who was a Yorkshire County Cricket Club spin bowler. He played 18 times for the first team between 1947 and 1950 (when the star spinner was Johnny Wardle) and for the second XI between 1939 and 1950. Away from the county limelight, Alan captained Silsden Cricket Club in the late 1950s/early 1960s. He was a newspaper wholesaler and for many years ran the Sunday morning newspaper sales outlet in Briggate (see my blog of October 9th, 2014). The photograph was loaned by well-known Silsden golfer John Lamb, a former club president.

Fraternal greetings: local Buffs of 50 years ago

Among the flourishing organisations that made up community life in the past was the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, which nationally was founded in 1822 and became one of the largest fraternal orders in the UK. Silsden had a few lodges (branches) over the years and one survives, albeit with a handful of members. Their charitable purpose continues. This photograph is thought to have been taken at a local Lodge gathering in the 1960s to mark the initiation of Fred Benson. Back row (left to right) Sid Barnes, Laurence Driver, Tom Bancroft, David Wigglesworth, Jimmy Bardgett, Roy Moorhen, Henry Bentley. Middle row: Tommy Meegan, Jim Emmott, Colin Wainright, Dennis Chapman, Colin Waterhouse (to whom I am grateful for supplying the names), Arnold Mitchell, Sunyi Polyhos, Moses Ackroyd (in front of Jimmy Bardgett}, George Heaps, Basil Wasuta, Fred Benson, Richard Chapman, David Cooper. Front row: Bill Scaife, George Smith, Joe Meegan, Bill Welbourn, Gary Thornton.

The days when coach trips were a big part of community life

Coach trips were a regular feature of community life up to the 1970s or so when car ownership allowed for independent travel and membership of groups started to decline as families made their own entertainment. Social changes and the decline of shared experiences were hastened in the 1980s as textile mills closed and workers had to look farther afield for employment. This photograph shows members of Silsden Camera Club and their wives on an outing. The photograph was taken by the late Will Baldwin, whose wife, Brenda, is pictured third from left. Brenda died last year. Will's photographs form an important record of local life, as does the work of other Camera Club members. They include Dick Roberts, who is pictured centre (holding a brown packet) with his wife (in the white jacket) and, on the right, Brian Sunderland, who is a prominent member of Silsden Local History Group and closely involved in archiving local photographs. 

 This may have been a trip to Southport in 1969. Photograph by Will Baldwin.

Gargrave was the destination of this outing in 1967. Pictured at the front is Emily Rawson, a characterful Silsdener. On the left, accompanying the senior citizens, is Sylvia Kitchen, whose husband, Harold, was a celebrated entertainer who compiled a major collection of historic local photographs. Photo by Will Baldwin.

 No date and no identification of the occasion but a holiday outing nonetheless.

A civic send-off for this trip. Wearing the chain is Councillor Arthur Watson, who was chairman of Silsden Urban District Council from 1952-55. At the front on the left is Steve Wallbank, who was chairman of Silsden Old People's Welfare for 13 years until 1968 and a mainstay of local initiatives for senior citizens.

Members of Silsden Liberals' ladies section. On the left is Bernard Wilkinson, the coach owner-driver. 

An earlier group of Liberal Party ladies pose for the camera before their outing.

Members of Silsden Labour Party's women's section at a stop for teas during an outing.

Elliott Street was the main starting point for outings. Councillor Arthur Watson is on duty again for this exodus. On the right by the junction with Keighley Road/Kirkgate is Joe Whitham's electrical shop (now Arabesque kitchens).

 The Primitive Methodists' choir enjoying an outing, possibly in the 1920s.

Proving that the Outing Tendency goes back at least 100 years, these Parish Church bellringers are pictured before the First World War on a horse-drawn trip with the Vicar, John Berry.