Another piece of local history was demolished this week in Bailiff Bridge. Most people may have never really noticed the old red brick building on Bradford Road which was next to the flats and almost opposite Ceramix the tiling company.

Even local people in the area will be surprised to hear about the history of the building which started as the Brighouse Motor Agency and was selling petrol in cans and supplied and fitted solid tyres. Here was a small business that over a period of years grew into a substantial one.

Looking round the town centre today, 54 years since our illustration was created, it does show a lot of changes. With many of the small streets and yards having disappeared and some of the streets having been renamed. Then there is the bypass, this was completed in the early 1970s and carved its way through the centre wiping out out many of those streets that had been in the centre for over a century. 

   Did you live in one of the streets that was destined to be demolished and resulted in you and your family being housed in a new community? If you were we would like to hear from you and if you possibly have a photograph we could use your story in our quarterly magazine and share your memories of over 50 years ago with our growing number of readers.

   Please contact me on 07854755756 or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you... 

In 1878, Richard Kershaw had the opportunity of buying part of the Well Holme estate. Seeing the opportunity of having all his business under one roof he bought the site and immediately employed local architect George Hepworth to draw up plans for his new silk mill.

   In 1880, the mill was completed which he called Woodvale Silk Mills and was situated behind the present day police station in (Woodvale Road) Bradford Road.

   This was by far the largest mill in the district and employed as many as 700 workers when it was running at full capacity. A workforce that had to ensure the 40,000 spindles were kept working.

   He was considered to be a good employer, he was well thought of in his mill, around the community and by other mill owners in the area.  

   On Friday, December 27, 1985, large parts of the mill was destroyed by a huge fire.

St John’s Ambulance Brigade Band, many people would say they were the finest of its kind. It excelled in almost every competition it entered and when it was marching through the town everyone stood and took notice, stopping what they were doing just to watch. Such was its precision in marching, playing and deportment, a fine tribute to the young members of the band. Here they are leading the community day event at Smith House Estate in 1948.