Steven Wood: Old Haworth in Photographs Talk

Respected Haworth historian Steven Wood gave a talk to the History Society last evening. He took us on a pictorial journey from the old Police Station on Mill Hey, up Bridgehouse Lane and Main Street, then out along West Lane, with over 50 images. Around 40 members and guests attended.

The programme for the next quarter’s series of talks is out now on our newsletter and will shortly appear in the diary on this website.

Historian Steven Wood gives his talk ‘Haworth in Old Photographs’ to the History Society on 13 March 2019. Photograph by Tim Neal.

Steven Wood Talk

A reminder that this month’s guest speaker talk is Haworth historian Steven Wood giving the talk “Old Haworth in Photographs (1870-1970)”. The date for the talk is Wednesday 13th March 2019.

The History Society’s monthly guest speaker talks take place upstairs in Keighley Library. Doors open at 7pm and the talks start at 7.30pm (and usually last around one hour). Tea and coffee is available. Admission costs £3 (£1 for History Society members). If you are interested in becoming a member and supporting what we do it costs £10 a year and membership can be purchased at any guest speaker meeting.

Haworth historian and author Steven Wood (right) visits the Old School House in Haworth in 2007. Photograph taken on behalf of the Keighley and District Local History Society by Barbara Klempka.
Detail from a J. Valentine & Sons Ltd. postcard from 1939, part of the History Society’s digital archive.
Haworth from the War Memorial. A Lilywhite Ltd. postcard, circa 1925. Part of the History Society digital archive.

Peaceful Women

‘Peaceful Women’ is an event happening in Keighley Local Studies Library this Wednesday (6th March) at 1.15pm. Local author, playwright, actor and historian Irene Lofthouse wil bring to life the stories of local women who campaigned for peace during WW1 and for social justice following the end of the war. The event lasts for 90 minutes and there will be the opportunity to view local archive materials from the time. It is free to attend.

Postcard of Keighley Library, circa 1904. Donated by Norma Galvin.

Graham Mitchell Talk

A reminder that next week’s guest speaker talk is coming up. Graham Mitchell is returning with the real story of King Richard III, the last king of the House of York, who died at the Battle of Bosworth.

The History Society’s monthly guest speaker talks are held upstairs in Keighley Library. Doors open at 7pm and the talks start at 7.30pm (usually lasting around one hour). Tea and coffee is available. Admission costs £3 (£1 for History Society members). If you are interested in becoming a member and supporting our work you can join for £10 a year at any guest speaker meeting.

King Richard III, by Unknown artist © National Portrait Gallery, London

When Hollywood Came to Keighley

Forty years ago, Hollywood came to Keighley! The climactic finale of the film ‘Yanks’ was filmed at Keighley railway station and the goods yard at the end of Cavendish Street (now Sainsbury’s car park) in the summer of 1978. Filming also took place at Steeton where an entire US Army Base was recreated. The film was directed by John Schlesinger and starred Richard Gere alongside over 800 extras including many recruited from the town. The film is available on Blu-ray and DVD from Monday 3rd December.


Yanks director John Schlesinger in a publicity shot taken in the railway goods yard at the end of Cavendish Street. The Victoria Hotel can be seen in the background.

The railway goods yard at the end of Cavendish Street, before it was cleared to make way for Sainsbury’s. Photograph by G. L. Kitchen, taken from the History Society’s digital collection.

The railway goods yard as it is today – the Sainsbury’s car park. Photograph taken by History Society member Tim Neal in 2018.

Annual Review 2018

It’s been a busy year for the History Society. If you want to find out more about what we’ve been up to, click on the photo below which will take your to our annual review album on Flickr or for more detail read the Annual Report.

If you want to support what we do, you might want to consider becoming a member. It costs £10 a year and your money helps us grow, preserve and share the collections. You can join by coming along to a guest speaker’s meeting (the next two are at Keighley Library on 12th December 2018 and 9th January 2019) or there are details on the “Support Us” page of this website.

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