Category: Old Halifax

A Postcard From The Conservatory

This immensely colourful postcard of the conservatory at Akroyd Park in Halifax must date from the first decade of the twentieth century, although it is difficult to date it precisely as it was never posted. Bankfield House, the home of Edward Akroyd, and its grounds, were sold to Halifax Corporation in the 1880s and converted … Continue reading A Postcard From The Conservatory

From Bookseller To Bookmaker In Two Generations

Whiteley's Corner was the name given to the corner of Bethel Street and Huddersfield Road in Brighouse, so called because that was the location of Whiteley's newsagents and tobacconists and their famous clock. The Whiteley family ran the shop for much of the twentieth century and it became such an established part of the town, … Continue reading From Bookseller To Bookmaker In Two Generations

Home 10 : The Abattoir And Cart

We hear a lot these days about the changing nature of town and city centres, but the centre of gravity of our conurbations has never been static. I took this photograph over fifty years ago from the waste land at the bottom of Woolshops in Halifax. Widespread demolition had already swept through the narrow streets, … Continue reading Home 10 : The Abattoir And Cart

Home 9 : My Halifax

This is a photograph I took 55 years ago, looking over Halifax from - I think - Bradford Old Road. This is not just Halifax, this is my youth. Part the smoke fuelled clouds and you can see my school, the streets I walked down, and the parks I played in. Walk up the hill … Continue reading Home 9 : My Halifax

Home 8 : Pre-Decimal Market

Geologists sometimes date rocks by reference to seismic events, mass extinctions and the like. I tend to do the same with my old photographs. This photo of Halifax Borough Market fits into the pre-decimal period which means I must have taken it over 50 years ago.

Albert And The Machine

This is one of my favourite photographs from the family archives - or rather the box of old photographs that has been given that somewhat grandiose title. It features my father, Albert, and a group of other mechanics, gathered around a machine that looks like a prop from a 1950s low-budget science fiction film.  I … Continue reading Albert And The Machine

Home 6 : A Bridge Too Far

The line went from Halifax Station to North Bridge Station via the Gas Works. At one time it carried people and goods to exotic places like Ovenden and Queensbury. It was closed in the 1950s and, thirty years later, the solid stone structure was demolished. It had become a bridge too far.

Home 5 : Halifax In The Monochrome Age

These days you can get Artificial Intelligence to add colour to old black and white photos, but if you tried it with my picture  from 50+ years ago, it would never get it right. It would make the grass green when, in fact, it was a dirty seaweed colour, the stone would be rich and … Continue reading Home 5 : Halifax In The Monochrome Age

Home 4 : Stone And Sweat

Halifax in the 1970s. Carpet mills rub sticky shoulders with toffee factories, and there isn’t a nail bar in sight. The colourful Quality Street images were for tin lids: these streets were cobbled in stone and sweat.