I've always been attracted to this part of Halifax: the steep hills, cobbled streets, brooding mills ..... and, of course, the delights of the Shears Inn, whose stone-tiled roof features in this photo of mine from 40 or 50 years ago. There's a story which says the area's name - Paris Gates - came about … Continue reading Paris Pub
Tag: Calendar
From The Archives
I've always had a fondness for old newspapers: give me a half-comfy chair and a pile of old newspapers, and I'm a happy man. If I can't get my hands on the paper originals, then the online British Newspaper Archives is an excellent alternative, and it has the advantage of a very effective search engine. … Continue reading From The Archives
More Shapes
Some shapes are instantly identifiable: the distant sweep of the moor-lined hills and the grand lines of a dye-works chimney that had ideas above its industrial station. The whole scene viewed from a promenade that, even after global warming has done its worst, will never see the sea. Sunset behind Wainhouse Tower, viewed from Albert … Continue reading More Shapes
The Shape Of Things Gone By
This is not so much the shape of things to come as the shape of things gone by. That unmistakable shape of 1980s cars, TV aerials, telephone lines stretched across streets - they all spell out the eighties. And note the delicious absence of that most twenty-first century visual blight - the plastic wheelie bin. … Continue reading The Shape Of Things Gone By
The Only Decent Place In Fixby
This early twentieth century picture postcard has a fine view of Fixby Hall, which was one of the ancestral homes of the Thornhill family, but, by the time of this postcard, it had become the home of Huddersfield Golf Club. The message on the back of the card claims that the Hall is the "only … Continue reading The Only Decent Place In Fixby
Timeless Style
The Victorian photographer, John Bell, promised "photography in the latest styles" on the reverse of his classic carte de visites. There is, however, something timeless about the face featured on the front of the card. I feel as if I know this lady, we met in the supermarket the other day.
Albert In A Flap
Our Sepia Saturday theme this week is all about strange shapes, and the closest I seem to be able to get to it is this photograph from almost 100 years ago. I can only be sure about one of the six heads - and that is the third one down, which is my father, Albert. … Continue reading Albert In A Flap
Nostalgic Thoughts
When Greenwoods was on't corner, and Marks at top of town; when one day you could wait up, and next day you'd wait down. When sun was always shining, and it'd never, never rain ...... why did folk wear thick coats and rain hats, perhaps you'd care to explain.
Sheffield Nights / Sheffield Days
There are no cars in this scene which always makes dating it a little more difficult. The clothes don't give many clues either: fashion takes a back seat to insulation when it comes to northern winters. Haymarket in Sheffield looks very different these days, and British Homes Stores is long gone. It must have been … Continue reading Sheffield Nights / Sheffield Days
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