c1910, Silsden

Childhood in War Time Silsden

I grew up in Silsden and also worked in Silsden, as a weaver at Stocks Mill. I lived at 52 New Rd or shed side, as it was known. We lived almost opposite Fletchers mill gates, in a back-to-back two bedroomed terraced house, with outside shared toile . I attended Aire View Primary School with the Headmistress, Miss Smith. I later went to Silsden Secondary Modern School with Claughton, Leadbetter and Manners as Headmasters. My teachers were Tindall (science), Dewhurst (woodwork and metalwork), Broughton,(from Sutton) two Winstanley sisters (Ethel and Connie), Holiday(art teacher with big boobies), who married the sports teacher Mr Feather. Miss Horsfall (my favourite), Irwin (cookery) and Scull (maths). I remember the school lunches, which my mum gave me two shillings a week for. For the war time years, I think they were quite good. I don't know where they got all that Sago for the puddings from. I remember the room under the school where we would keep all the gardening tools, as the school had... Read more