The beautiful Burne-Jones stained glass window I featured the other day were originally to be found in St James's Church, which stood on Bradford Road in Brighouse (between Tesco and Wellholme Park, where the St James Court flats are today). Not only did the church feature windows by Burne-Jones but also Ford Madox Brown and Dante Gabriel Rossetti: … Continue reading Lost Treasures Of Brighouse
Category: Vintage Postcards
Smedley’s Hydro
In 1840, Matlock mill-owner John Smedley turned his back on "a life of excessive indulgence" and dedicated himself to religion and hydrotherapy. His original treatment rooms were replaced in the 1880s by this magnificent establishment, which continued to serve as an Hydro until the 1950s when it was converted into offices for Matlock Council. The … Continue reading Smedley’s Hydro
Marching, Throwing And Flowing
The fine proportions of Halifax's Victoria Hall, the town's monument to culture. In the 1950s, I remember seeing a Scottish pipe band march down the theatre aisles during a colour slide presentation about the beauties of the Highlands. In the 60s, I saw endless wrestlers thrown from its canvas-floored, rope-encircled ring, and in the 70s, … Continue reading Marching, Throwing And Flowing
A General View Of Brighouse
The illustrations on old picture postcards from the turn of the twentieth century usually have a specific focus - a prominent building, or a bridge, a park or local beauty spot. The title of this postcard is, however, "A General View Of Brighouse". and that is exactly what you get - mills, houses, chimneys and … Continue reading A General View Of Brighouse
Musk Park
Like many a northern industrial town, Keighley is dotted with public parks either presented to the towns by local businessmen during the age of Victorian philanthropy or purchased by public subscription by citizens anxious to enhance their surroundings. My picture comes from an early postcard and features Victoria Park and its mansion. Somehow I can't … Continue reading Musk Park
In Wilf’s Footsteps
"I am pleased to say we are getting on very well. We spent Friday night at Ipswich and last night here. Hope you are well. Kind regards, Wilfred" 119 years later, the message could nearly be the same. Kind regards, Alan
Market Memories
I must have been taken around Bradford's old Kirkgate Market when I was a small child, and I became reacquainted with it during lunchtime strolls around the city when I worked there in the late 1960s. It always appeared larger, darker, and more complex than the Halifax market I was familiar with. During the 1970s … Continue reading Market Memories
Political Contradictions
Wanting a suitable illustration for the 1st of May, I turned to my collection of political vintage postcard and find a fine portrait of Philip Snowden MP. Snowden was as full of contradictions as a chocolate teapot - converted to socialism after researching a speech he was due to make on the evils of socialism, … Continue reading Political Contradictions
Thornton Square, Brighouse
This picture of Thornton Square in Brighouse is from a vintage postcard published in the early 1920s. It had only been called Thornton Square for a few years when the postcard view was taken. It was named after Robert Thornton (1836-1918), who gifted the town a clock, a fire engine, and a place in the … Continue reading Thornton Square, Brighouse
alanburnett.com 