Visitors book

Researching my family I have found on the 1901 census that my great grandparents George and Emma Varley lived at 12 Oldroyd Building, Morley, she is listed as a shopkeeper. I can find no record of this building, hope someone on this site could help me, as I would love to know where or what this was. As a child George lived in Mill Street which I have been able to locate although sadly no longer houses . He is listed aged 15 as rag sorter as is his mother. Any help on what they were doing, apart from the obvious ! Many thanks

I'm a member of Morley Community Archives and President of Morley Local History Society. I was very interested in Gillian Rimmer's comments about Thomas Arthur Buttery. He was, indeed, a well known architect in Morley, designing a number of chapels, including the Ebenezer (Fountain Street: now flats) but not the architect of Morley Town Hall. This was G.A. Fox of Dewsbury and there is a memorial window for this man near the hallway of the Town Hall.
However, Thomas Buttery was Mayor of Morley in 1926-27 and there is, actually, a photo of him on this site. We do have other photos of Mr Buttery in our archive and would welcome more.

I have just started work in Morley and it is the first time I have ever set foot in the town, although I was aware that my grandma was born there, Her maiden name was Clegg, and I believe her grandfather was called Thomas Buttery. I was always told that he was the architect of the Town Hall. Does anyone know anything about him?

Yes I remember the dome as I used to live on Westerton Road and used to walk around the fields up that way.

The Dome, Tingley

Does anyone remember the concrete dome in Tingley ? It was an experimental structure built by Norwest Holst, it was demolished around 1989. If anyone has any photos they could send me via email I would be grateful.

Re: David Parkers post -
There were many Hartleys in Morley and the surrounding area; some of my research may be useful to you. Anybody researching Hartleys in Morley, Rothwell etc are welcome to email me and compare notes. I'm also interested in Buttery's, Stogdales and Wass's.

Morley was home to my great grandfather John Parker who had a draper's shop on Queen Street at the turn of the last century and my grandmother's family, the Hartley's. Her father David was was a mill owner, the address was Daisy Hill, Morley.
John Parker's wife was Priscilla Rhodes daughter of Cornelius Rhodes also of Morley.
All this is to seek advice as an exiled Yorkshire man living in South Africa. I am keen to learn more of the Hartley family as it seems that both my grandmothers parents died relatively young and she was brought up by older sisters. Also I believe that the Drapers shop was handed on to my grandfather's elder brother William of whom I have no information

My partner is from Morley, he doesn't use the internet himself but has asked me if I could find out about an accident in Morley tunnel. Thanks, Yvonne.


There have been many accidents, could you be more specific, maybe a date or someone involved? Moderator.

Re Nikki Vine about Walter B.Stockwell,Enjoyed the item as I was given my first job on leaving school in 1952 by Mr Aikman (referred to as Stan) who was then Managing Director.The young Walter Stockwell then took over around 1960 I think,after being in the forces.I worked there for 10 Years during which time I met and married my sweet wife Jean of 48 years and was also fortunate in being taught to drive at the expense of the company. All in all a time of very happy memories.

Wonderful site. I would be interested to learn about any historic community events or traditions that went on in Morley throughout the years. Now that Morley is coming into its own again maybe we could consider recreating any of the events of days gone by!!??

Enjoyed the pictures and information. Was there to visit St. Mary's Church Woodkirk last year. I have several family members christened, married, and buried at the church, including my grandmother Ada Saville Osborne. She died in 1908. I was disappointed as I could not get to the grave due to overgrown bushes, blackberry vines etc. I enjoyed looking around the church, and talking to Mr. Haigh who was very nice to open the church for me.

With reference to 'Thorpe', My 3xGreats Grandfather, Andrew Hartley, worked at Thorpe Quarry and died young, possibly from a work related illness. I too would be interested to hear about anyone's knowledge of Thorpe.

Hi, I have recently found that family on my mums side moved to Morley in the 1800's and they seem to have worked in the mill industry. Their surname was THORPE. Anyone heard of them at all??

My parents Tom & Lilian Wales owned the fish & chip shop at 5, High Street Morley until 1965.
I was a pupil at Peel Street Primary School until that year and remember walking past the mills, inhaling the smell of wet wool as I went to & from school, water and various colours of woollen dye spilling out into the street. Does anyone remember the paper mill fire - I remember watching the flames and burning paper burned my arm, I still have the scars to this day. Our G.P was Dr De Keyser and our dentist was a Scottish gentleman whose name escapes me. I remember my father taking me to the Pavillion cinema to watch Norman Wisdom films, and my aunt taking me to Bradford by steam train, as the steam era was coming to an end. Although I only lived in Morley during my formative years, I am very interested in your site, having discovered it by chance.

I was born at Morley Hall in 1959, lived in Howden Clough for 30 years.
My Grandfather was steward at the working mens club by the old baths, his name was James Brown. My other Grandfather was Alfred Rowsby who passed away in 2001 just 4 days before his 100th birthday.
My Mum & Dad now live on Fountain Street.
I now live in Nottingham.
If anyone would like to contact me feel free to do so.
Good site and some fine pictures.
All the best.

Just read John Cooper's message to my grandma (Betty Pickles-nee Large). Remembers you- her mother and John Cooper's grandma were sisters. However the whereabouts of photo remains a mystery. Betty does however have a picture of the opening of the THORNHILL POWER STATION when Morley councillors were present.

Re my previous post;

I refer to the Sycamore. The 1891 census entry is written in such a way that it looks more like 'Seafarers Inn'. Owing to the date stone over the door and my great great grandfather's tenure, it's probable that he was the Sycamore's first Landlord. I'd be very interested to hear about any knowledge, pictures or documents anybody may have of the Sycamore around that time or indeed Henry Hartley/Annie Wass.

I just discovered this website while researching my grandfather's notes. He was born in Morley in 1898; looks like there is a lot of useful information here. So far the street names of 1905 has been very helpful.

Great site. I have discovered today that my great great grandfather ran or owned a pub on High St in the 1880s. If anyone is interested in further detail for updating the site, feel free to give me a call on 07948 072586.

Moderator:
Presumably this would have been the Hembrigg/Morley Dashers or the Sycamore. Coming soon, picture gallery of the Morley pubs.

From Adwalton, spent much time in East Ardsley, grandad's farm. But one of my favourite spots in Morley was a butcher's shop which had the best pork pies I have ever had, forget the name of the shop.
It was where we got off the bus from Drighlington.

Churwell Hospital. I have been searching the web regarding this hospital as I believe my mother was acting as the matron there about 1940. I have come across two references to the hospital; one is a photo on the Leeds Library site ( Leodis.net). The other is a sighting of a map which shows the hospital stood about 500 meters south of Elland Rd, and 200 metres west of the railway line, near to Coteroyd Dri. I hope this is of some use to your society.

I was born Morley Hall 1953 and lived at Blind Lane farm with my family who rented the farm house. We left to buy a house in Leeds, we were three brothers of which I am the youngest. The farmer's name was Angus, does anyone remember us?

I have discovered a cousin in England also related to Samuel Stead who is a whiz at geneology and has copious records. Please let me know if you're interested and I'll have him contact you.

Well done Morley! What an amazing site. I found it by accident during a search for David Dickinson, Mayor. I suppose no-one knows what his father's name was, do they?

I have just found this fantastic website. It has been a great help to my son who is doing a project at school on Morley.

My great-grandfather was Thomas Stephenson, who owned Bruntcliffe Mill. His daughter, my grandmother, Annie, had a sister, Laura. Annie married Fred Carr and they lived at Moor Grange, Rein Road, Tingley, West Ardsley. (Moor Grange now demolished and 6 new homes built on the grounds - 1970s?). It was a lovely stately house. The Carrs had 6 children - Wilfred, Arthur, Cecilia Faith, Dorothea, Edward, and Annie Margaret (my mother). Fred was a music teacher, and also a haulage contractor - W Carr and Son. Faith (married to Joe Bromley) lived opposite at Hylands. Fred's unmarried sisters - Lily and Theresa lived at Moor Grange - Lily was a teacher in Morley.

To Susan Wintrop re her February 2007 posting.

I am related to Samuel Stead (my grandmother was Jessie Stead) and I have a fairly complete family tree.

(To contact Bill, please use the enquiry form and your message will be forwarded. MCA Moderator)

My great grandfather was Samuel Stead who began the newspaper in Morley in the 1800's. His son, my grandfather Laurence, emigrated to Canada in the early 1900's. I have been looking for English relatives and history for years and hope someone may respond to my enquiry. I have the Canadian story should anyone be interested. Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely.
Susan Wintrop

I have just purchased your latest set of postcards, again another brilliant set. I will be using these in my family history scrap book to illustrate Morley area in the past. Well done keep up the good work.

I have just begun ancestral research, a g.g.g.g/mother of mine was from Morley, convicted in 1840 of stealing from her employer (Mr. Mallinson grocer of Dewsbury) transported to Australia. Info from witness statements at her trial mentioned Scotchman Lane. Her name was Ruth Banks, had a sister Sarah, father Thomas. Do not live in the UK so actually visiting Morley would be difficult although on my list if any info came up. Are there old graveyards in Morley?

I have just finished a year of family research. I knew nothing about my family then. I have now found and visited Morley which was where we came from. We owned the coal mines and I have found out about the mine disaster. I also now have met cousins that I did not know existed. What came over very strongly on my very short visit was the history of the town everywhere. I live in the South of the UK so I can not really visit to find out a lot more, but I will check out your web site to keep up.

Have just found this delightful site with the help of a friend. Although I now live in Lincolnshire, Morley will always be close to my heart and I'm especially proud of the fact that David Atkinson was my Geography teacher in 1975/76 at Woodkirk School. I was sad to read that he's passed away. But what an amazing collection this is! Am especially looking forwards to the mining section getting up and running. Thank you so much!
Very best wishes,
Linda Mellows

Born West Ardsley 1940. Then lived flat roof houses Gildersome. Then Vicarage Avenue Gildersome. Afterwards Scarborough and back to Morley at Ingle Grove where mother was midwife. 1947 back to Scarborough.

Went to three primary schools in Gildersome including the Church School and in Morley, Victoria Road and Peel Street.

Had relatives in Driglington,[ who didn`t know of Clifford Seed?] ,in Gildersome, Coopers and Seeds, in Morley ,Schofields and Lileys,in Tingley, Baileys, Schofields, Tates and in Midleton, Crawfords.

My ancestors were miners,farriers, weavers and labourers on the whole. I have spent my life mostly as a university academic in Scotland and France. Such is life!

But I did enjoy Morley-----Lea Fair every year, the Whitsuntide parades, the VE parade in the main street,Cockersdale Woods, Betty Grable at the Picture House and Johnny Weismuller as Tarzan at the Pavillion, trips on the bus to Dewsbury, Batley and Leeds for shopping ,the Wings demonstration in Leeds and family occasions in and about Woodkirk Church-------------. Now I have but one distant relative in Morley!

But it is reasuring to find that the archives are being kept------ incidentally do you know the whereabouts of a framed picture of the council on the occasion of the opening of the Town Hall that my grandfather gave to the town [late 50`s?]. His father was on the Council and I would like to see the image.

I have recently been looking into my late husband's family tree. His family live at Elm Villa Farm, Carr Gate, and I wondered if you have any information on the old rhubarb sheds that are still on the property. My husband's family didn't move there till the sixties and I would just like to know more about it. Thank you.

Chanced upon the open day at The Town Hall - fantastic experience. My mum was a Stockdale, was she distantly related to the mayor of the same name? I must find out. My daughter wears her Morley coat of arms badge with pride. Thanks guys.

REPLY
Spetch Fold was off Old Lane.

I enjoyed the site, and will visit again. Looking at the picture of Dr McCutcheon's car reminded me that you may be interested in my family, William and William Norman Fenton who grew Fenton's Special rhubarb in those fields on Tingley Common in the 1930's. Raynham House [no longer there] was built by my Father in 1933. I have a picture of this if you are interested. Barbara.

The following entries have been transferred from our old Guestbook and were originally submitted on the date given at the start of each message.

12.06.2006
I have been looking through the Morley Archives site with great pleasure, I have contributed some photos of my family and I am very pleased by the way they have been portrayed. The hard work that has been put in has been well worth it, well done.

9.04.2006
Congratulations on a great site.
My g Grandfather Walter B Stockwell was the owner of Alexandra Mill as mentioned in this site. He lived at 30 Troy Road in Morley. He married Alice Holliday also from the Morley district. Their daughter Constance (Connie) who was born in Morley in Barfield Terrace married James (Stanley) Aikman. I think James may have run the mill for a while as well. I have found a picture of Walter B Stockwell with his lorry on the internet - I have no pictures myself although I think my mother has a few - I must ask her.

13.03.2006
I am like many people tracing my ancestors in Morley, myself born 1965 in Morley. I visit the town weekly and was very pleased that many local buildings are being preserved, if not for their original use, but a practical use gives me a satisfying feeling. My family like many were mill workers. I am very interested in the daily routine these ancestors would have had to endure. Luckily I have photographs of my grandmother working in the 1950's in one of the local mills and I shall research into which mill buildings are still standing. The post cards I obtained are wonderful. I think a guided walk around Morley to compare the changed and original sights would be something a lot of people of all ages could appreciate if anyone felt qualified to undertake. Keep up the good work, I for one am very proud of my home town.
T. Crossley formerly Askins

20.02.2006
During the night of April 23 1944, I watched a burning plane fall down on our farm property in southeastern Holland. I even saw 2 figures bail out in the glare of the searchlight cone. Nothing was ever learned of the fate of its crew. I was 13 years old at that time. Now, at 75 years of age, I have finally discovered through Internet searches that all 7 crew members survived with 3 evading capture. One of them, James William Firth, lived in your community and passed away there in 1991. His wife, Margaret still lives there. I wrote her a letter in hopes of learning more of his escape and later life in your community. She was unable to help me, however. I would very much like to include excerpts of his life and that of others involved in that particular mission in a true story I hope to write about the downing of their R.A.F. Halifax bomber of 578 Squadron. Any help in this endeavour would be greatly appreciated.
Hugh Timmerman - Canada.

17.02.2006
This site is very interesting, I have only recently discovered that my great grandfather, William Mallender, lived in Morley for a few years during the 1880s, his parents & several siblings stayed in the area when William returned to Sheffield. Keep up the good work, sites like this help to bring our history to life and I hope it goes from strength to strength.

12.02.2006
I have just been looking at your website and found it very interesting. I myself was born in Bradford but my husband was born and brought up in Bruntcliffe and has lived there for all of his 62 years, so any memorabilia about the old Bruntcliffe we both find very interesting. Also we live near the chapel and the Shoulder of Mutton, which I believe is over a hundred years old.

29.1.2006
What a superb DVD. Full of nostalgia and interest. Congratulations to all concerned

28.1.2006
I have read Ms Joan Wrigleys comments and in particular her remarks about her family living in Churwell. I can`t sort out where Spetch Fold is. I only know of Low Fold which is now no more. It was demolished in the sixties. Perhaps I can be enlightened

28.1.2006
Very interesting site. I look forward to it's expansion and hope the group can get more help from the people of Morley so our history can be saved for the future.

5.1.2006
Reading the article in Family History I am hoping someone in your group may have some information to help me in my researches. I know that my ancestors, Kell Bros. Railway Engineers of Leeds, were involved in some work in Morley . They may have built the station or some engine sheds if anyone in your group as any info relating to them,I would be very pleased for any help.I live in Dorset and don't get to Yorkshire very often. I will acknowledge any replies.
Malcolm Kell

31.12.2005
An excellent site, just looked at the postcards in the "shop", alas didn't find anything of interest but will browse again, interested in Spetch Fold, Back Green and Elland Road, Churwell where my husband's ancestors the "Mitchells" and "Wilshers" lived.

17.11.2005
Breath-takingly splendid! I've just looked at the postcards in the "shop" and seen details in the enlarged pictures which are excellent to see.