The Francis Frith Collection.
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2008 Christmas Gift Guide - great gifts for your family and friends

South Kirkby

South Kirkby photos (6 available)

Old photo of South Kirkby

South Kirkby maps (2 available)

Old map of South Kirkby

South Kirkby books (6 available)

South Kirkby memories

Sinking feeling

South Kirkby, The Colliery c1965

My grandad used to work at South Kirkby pit for many years, so growing up I was forever hearing stories of his days down the mine. Being a very inquisitive child I would spend hours exploring, even though my grandad used to tell me how dangerous it could be round the colliery. He used to also live on the Northfield estate, which was also known as Little Wigan. I am told this is because of the miners that moved from that area. I was staying at my grandad's this one day waiting for my tea. I'd been in all day as it was raining heavy, so when the rain stopped I couldn't wait to get out. My grandad said 'don't be ...read more here
Contributed by Mark Adams

West Yorkshire memories

Sinking feeling

South Kirkby, The Colliery c1965

My grandad used to work at South Kirkby pit for many years, so growing up I was forever hearing stories of his days down the mine. Being a very inquisitive child I would spend hours exploring, even though my grandad used to tell me how dangerous it could be round the colliery. He used to also live on the Northfield estate, which was also known as Little Wigan. I am told this is because of the miners that moved from that area. I was staying at my grandad's this one day waiting for my tea. I'd been in all day as it was raining heavy, so when the rain stopped I couldn't wait to get out. My grandad said 'don't be ...read more here
A memory of South Kirkby contributed by Mark Adams

Another Thurnscoe Lad

Born 24th February 1947 at 66 Church Street Thurnscoe, one of the worst winters or so I was told. I went to Houghton Road Infants and Junior School. I remember Mrs Cook she was a little woman, her favourite weapon was the spindle from a chair, Mr Carr was a good bloke, he never hit me. I went to the Thurnscoe Hill in 1958 and left in 1962. Mr Buck had a bat with "Ouch" on one side and "Wow" on the other, Young Mr Haigh used the slipper or the knuckle on the head, Old Mr Haigh the Headmaster was very adept with the cane, he got you on the upward stroke and on the downward stroke, so when you ...read more here
A memory of Thurnscoe contributed by First Name Last Name

Memories of a Thurnscoe Lad

1948 was the year I was born and lived at 39 Taylor Street, ajacent to Thornley Crescent, School Street, Garden Street and John Street. In 1953 I attended the Thurnscoe Infants School on Houghton Road straight across from Stone Brothers garage I remember that some of the teachers were called Miss Davidson, Miss James and Miss Rose and the Headmistress Mrs Brown. 1955 came around and I moved up the road to the junior school remembering again the teachers, Miss Gregory. Cook, Mr Sammy Carr, Allsop, Fletcher, Hargreaves, Ellis
and Head Mr W E Hill.
1959 saw me moving up to the Thurnscoe Hill School at the top of Tudor Street, this was the time you started to grow up ...read more here
A memory of Thurnscoe contributed by Keith Riley

Extracts From South Kirkby & West Yorkshire books

Ilkley, Cow and Calf Rocks 1921

It is well worth the effort to climb up these rocks: you’re on top of the world, if a little weary and overheated. Luckily, just below refreshments are to hand at the Cow and Calf Inn, formerly known as the Highfield.
An extract from from"Ilkley Town and City Memories".

Ilkley, view of Swastika Stone 1914

In this photograph you can see the top of the Semon Convalescent Home just beyond the reservoir. A fair walk westwards then brings you to the Swastika Stone, which is unique in this country. Other examples have been found in Tossene in Sweden and Mycenae in Greece and all depict fertility and religious symbols. The council placed the iron railing around the site in 1913.
An extract from from"Ilkley Town and City Memories".

Ilkley, the Moors 1914

Up above the Cow and Calf rocks is more evidence of quarrying, but in this photograph the heather softens the scene for the Edwardian picnickers taking in the valley view, top right.
An extract from from"Ilkley Town and City Memories".

Ilkley, Denton Park from the Cow and Calf Rocks 1914

This young man looks out from between these famous rocks towards the magnificent estate of Denton Park.
An extract from from"Ilkley Town and City Memories".

Ilkley, the Moors 1914

Behind the Cow and Calf rocks is this desolate valley from where most of the stone to build the town was quarried. Hangingstone Quarry was the site of a huge enterprise that saw the destruction of the giant Bull Rock. The massive rocks were taken down Cowpasture Road to stone breaking yards around Ash Grove.
An extract from from"Ilkley Town and City Memories".