Wakefield memories
Here are memories of Wakefield and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Wakefield or a Wakefield photo.
Bull Ring And Market
I have just been back to Wakefield for a short break. I knew what to expect before I set off. But still don't know whose idea it was to do away with the old Bull Ring which I thought made it look more like a city. Why take away such a good market? It was one of the best, plus the indoor where I used to buy my records in the 1970s. But overall I thought the place looked clean and tidy when I visited recentley. I was born there so will always have a soft spot for the place. PS - does anyone remember Harry Haleys and Craven sports shops from the 1960s and 1970s?
My Childhood
I loved our park and was there every spare minute. Apart from all the exploring, we had swings, slide, ranty, and paddling pool, tennis courts and a massive duck pond where I took my own children. When I was 9 years old I practically sliced my big toe off on a bottle and lost so much blood, it was stitched back on though at Clayton hospital. I'm so sad that our great market was demolished and I so love the large historical buildings.
Exleys Pie & Pea Shop (front For A Betting Shop?) in The Springs
My grandad had a pie & pea shop in The Springs, evidently it was the front for a betting shop. My mum who is now 84 tells me she used to work in the shop and that my grandad Exley was quite a penny watcher and would not let her use hot water or soap to wash up. I would dearly love to find a photo of the shop and preferably with my grandad in it. Most of my relatives either have dementia or have sadly passed away now and so I don't know the name or location exactly of the shop and think it was the 1940s but it may have been another decade. I believe the shop was eventually sold to Heptinstalls (Eppys) and that it then moved and became a night club but am not so sure of that. My dad Tip (Ronnie) Exley and his brothers Norman and Charlie were his sons and there was a daughter but that was not discussed as I think something... Read more
Clerance Park
The 1960s, great memories of Clerance Park, it had everything. Do you remember cannon ball hill, the little steam train ,padling pool, fireworks and fun fair, picknicks with mum and sister ...too many fond memories. I used to stay in that park all day until the park keeper threw me out, he had an alsatian dog.
Engineering Cadet
I came to live in the town when I was awarded an Engineering Cadetship to train for a technical commision in the Armed Forces. About 70 of us were based at The Technical College. I and another Cadet were billeted first in Brotherton Avenue and then in Batley Road. Both landladies gave us a home-from-home. I have many happy memories: playing rugby league against Sharlestone Colliery on Trinity's ground in January,1944. It was a warm-up match. We lost 0-43! Dancing at Manny Gould's or the Coop on Saturday nights. Watching the Hanson Harry Court Players at the Opera House (a new play every week) Playing tennis with the High School Girls in the park.
Memories of West Yorkshire
My Childhood
I was born in Manygates hospital and lived at 13 Clarkson Street, Lawefield Lane with just a wall seperating my house from my school so I would jump over the wall at the last minute. The house is no longer there. I would roller skate all the way to the park and later when I got a bike I went all over on that. My grandparents lived at Lupset and when my brother was born when I was 9 we moved to Lupset and I went to Snapethorpe school and left at 15 and went to work at Tankards carpets. I have some fantastic memories of when I was a child and could go on and on. I will save them for another time.
Cheesecake Inn
I was born in 1952 and was raised in Cheesecake Inn. This was the original name for the farm next to the Church. When I was growing up there it was called Church Farm. I have many happy memories growing up in Kirkthorpe.
I spent many hours in Sycamore Cottage with the lady who lived there (Rose Richardson) and her 2 sons (John & David)and daughter (Margaret). Sycamore Cottage is now a listed building and has been restored beautifully.
David the youngest of the Richardsons, and I used to go fishing at the Half Moon and the pond on the other side of the railway line. I used to ride my horse through the fields which run alongside the weir.
Harvest time was great, we had such great fun helping dad. The older boys from the village used to come and help, everyone used to muck in.
My other friend lived in the old hospital opposite our farm. In the winter time we would sledge down the slope in... Read more
The Cluntergate Man
This old bloke used to haul this massive horse-wagon up Cluntergate, on a regular basis. I mean Cluntergate was this hill... 1 in 12 about... and this bloke used to haul this massive horse-drawn wagon up to the top and beyond. I never knew where he went, or where he came from. He wasn't very big, only a small, scrawny feller, but he never ceased to amaze me.
When I think I'm not getting a fair deal, I remember him... he was inspirational.
The House of Mercy - Horbury
My mother in law was sent from Herefordshire to the House of Mercy (later the Convent of St. Peter) in about 1925 (aged 12/13). She left in 1927 and was put into service in London. I have traced some documents in the Wakefield Archives but I am unable to understand the reason why she was sent to Horbury from Hereford. Her name was Bessie Eileen Jones. Her grandmother surname was Prosser. Could she have been sent to be near members of the family? Could her estranged father (William John Jones (Jack)) have lived in Horbury. I would be grateful for any information. Jennifer
My Youth
I was born at Springend near Horbury in 1948, lived at 40 Northfield Lane, Horbury emigrated to Australia in 1961. I remember the Library, spent hours there reading the famous five books and secret seven, still do. Whites fish and chip shop opposite the church where I can still remember the incense, yuk, bought a bag of bits for 2 pence, went to the Church of England school, Brownies and Guides, roamed down around Horbury Junction, train spotting, went to Horbury Secondary Modern School, played in the large field before it became the modern school, went to school lunches in the town hall, yummy, saw the coronation on this funny little TV screen in the town hall. Played in the park, went down the avenues to play, so many memories and loved the Littles sweet shop, sticks of liquorice for 1/2 penny and sherbert, then there was another little weeny shop full of magic opposite the bus stop, St Marys Church, the chapel at Horbury Junction, memories, memories, can... Read more
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