Wakefield, Upper Kirkgate c.1953

Photo ref: W464003

I was brought up on Rufford Street and most children in the surrounding area played in Sparrow Park at the top of the street next to Beaumont's Farm , who delivered our milk daily measured into our own jug. The Park only had swings and a ranty but there was usually a rope swing on a tree by the beck where those daring enough to swing and let go might, or often not, clear the water and land on the far side of the beck. ...see more

I 'lived' in Clarence Park for years when I was a kid. It became my magic Kingdom! I knew every bush and tree and secret trail through the bushes. I would lurk in the bushes and spy on people walking past. I had a favourite tree - a huge beech next to the bowling green. I would climb high in it and sit quietly watching them bowl, hidden by dense leaves. I'd whistle and call to them and put them off ...see more

The Roundabout use to be a popular place for me to go, it was a public house just a short distance from the Wakefield Jail. I was somewhat surprised on chatting to one man at the bar (I was somewhat interested where he lived) he smiled in such a way that I found it hard to believe when he told me that he lived in the biggest mansion within the whole of Wakefield which had hundreds of rooms and big gate. He was ...see more

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 ...see more