Nostalgic memories of Birstall's local history

Share your own memories of Birstall and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying all 8 Memories

I remember the original Co-op. There was the clothing department that was quite grand compared to shops these days. There were beautifully polished wooden counters with cabinets at the back of them that homed wooden drawers with items of clothing in them. I remember my friend being measured up for a bra there as well. What I loved the most was the beautiful glass dome that sat above the ceiling. They don't make shops like that anymore.
My "sixth" great grandparents James Norfolk and Mary Wilson were married in St Peter's Church at Birstall. This was on 3rd September 1690. If any other person following up family history at this parish has a connection with either of these two 6 X great grandparents I would be very pleased to hear from you. I also seek a copy of any painting or print of the church as it may have appeared before modern rebuilding and welcome any suggestions on where to find this please.
My dad was born in Howden Clough but he had a rag warehouse at the Smithies cross roads opposite the Grey hound pub. He used to buy old clothing and rags from people known as 'totters' or from householders who took them to him. The 'totters' used many types of transport to collect and move their old clothing on. Some used horses and carts and others used vans. One man and his mother used an old pram and could ...see more
My grandma & granddad (Ted & Janet Lambert) used to run a confectioners in the corner building at the top of Bond Street, a steep cobbled road then. They used to bake bread and cakes at their main shop in Drighlington, next to what is now the doctors surgery. I remember him taking me in his Bedford van to stock the Birstall shop, I always thought the van was going to trundle down the ...see more
Does anyone remember 'Spring-heeled Jack' and 'Mucky Minnie', the local tramp and his partner from the market place? Well, we do, and we also bought his house to sell on. My husband still has the scars from the flea bites to prove it.
Does anybody remember Clifford the milkman, he had a barrel in a yard that he used as a dog kennel in the village. Or the Co-op in the village, I think it was that sold record players and I  think shirts folded up, and kept in drawers behind the counter. I was 4 at the time of these memories. The dry cleaners that you could get high on walking past at the bottom of North Terrace. Singing 'Lily the Pink' at the ...see more
I grew up in Driglington late 50s/ 60s and remember going to watch Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidy, now that was another lifetime ago. As I got a bit older lots of us drig lads used to visit a coffee shop in the main street - cannot remember its name, and met lots of Birstall girls there.  I also remember the first 3d movie I saw there, it was the House of Wax, we had to wear those red and green glasses.
Having grown up in Birstall I have a fondness for this little market town in West Yorkshire, situated approximately 8 miles from Leeds and centrally placed for easy access to other major towns Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield. Fifty years ago Birstall was a thriving village, where everyone knew everybody else (and their business!). There were several mills in the area, Birstall Carpet Company, ...see more