‘Syncopating Sandy’

One of the great stories that relate to the Hippodrome Theatre in Keighley is that of ‘Syncopating Sandy’. Many people will have heard the tale of how Sandy played piano on the stage of the theatre, non-stop, for 133 hours back in 1956 – some people reading this might even have witnessed the feat! Thousands of people bought tickets to see stages of his performance, and some simply gathered outside the theatre in order to be part of the event.

We were delighted, therefore, that in the latest batch of photographs by John Tobin that we have processed, there were half-a-dozen that captured the last moments of the performance and captured Sandy pretty much exhausted after his ordeal. We will be writing up more about Sandy in a future newsletter, but for now we are very excited to share some of the pictures with you. Our continued thanks to Kathleen Procter who donated the negatives and to Billy Stride for scanning and processing them.

Free Family History Session

Keighley Local Studies Library has asked us to let people know that they are starting a series of free Family History based sessions in the library. They will be led by genealogist and historian Jude Rhodes, and, if popular, will happen every month.

The first session is on Wednesday 23rd October, from 2.15pm to 4.15pm, and is entitled ‘The Asylum’. Jude Rhodes will take people through the background to the care of the mentally unwell before the building of County Asylums. Discussing the categories for mental illness using admission registers and census returns (please be aware that the terminology used in the past can appear to be offensive today). Using one of her ancestors, as an example, she will give an insight to life in an asylum in the 1900s and how to access records within the 100 year rule.

Please contact the Library for further details.

Cliffe Castle Park in the late 1950s

These beautifully atmospheric photographs of an autumn day in the park of Cliffe Castle were taken by Keighley-based photographer John Tobin in the late 1950s.

We have been given 100s of negatives for photographs taken by John and are gradually scanning them and adding them to our Flickr site. We also want to find out more about the pictures and about John himself, so if anyone can help please get in touch.

Our thanks to Kathleen Procter who donated the negatives and to Billy Stride for scanning the negatives and producing the wonderful images.

Weaponry and Japan

A big thank you to Ian Bottomley, former senior curator at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, who came along to the Library last night to deliver his talk on how the gun was introduced to Japan via Portugal and Goa. Over twenty members of the History Society attended in person, with a further half-dozen members on Zoom and several more guest visitors in person. The opportunity to handle some examples of the weaponry and associated equipment after the talk was much appreciated by many attendees. Photographs taken by Tim Neal and John Rodger.

Next month’s meeting is the members-only AGM (held on Zoom) then we are back in the Library on 12th December for the Christmas Meeting, which will be a joint celebration with the fact that the Society will also be holding its 20th anniversary party.

Upcoming Library Events…

Two events to look out for at Keighley Library…

Saturday 21st September 2024 – The Men of Worth Project are marking the 100th anniversary of the Keighley Roll of Honour 1914-18 and the War Memorial in Town Hall Square by mounting a special exhibition. It opens this Saturday and highlights the names of people omitted from the original Roll, following extensive research by the Project. Andy Wade will be giving a talk at 10.30 am.

Saturday 5th October 2024 – There will be a talk on influential Labour politician Philip Snowden, who was born in Cowling and served on Keighley Council before becoming an MP, first for Blackburn then for Colne Valley. The talk will take the form of a panel, hosted by Alex Clifford with guests Professor Keith Laybourn, Professor Andrew Thorpe and Will Barber, between 2.30pm and 4pm.

October’s History Society Meeting

October’s History Society meeting will be a talk from guest speaker Ian Bottomley, former senior curator at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. The talk describes how the Portuguese, who were exploring the East, had trade guns made in Goa that they then spread further East, reaching Japan in 1543 and influencing that country’s history. Ian will be bringing along a couple of antique guns, and some accessories that attendees can handle.

The meeting is on Wednesday 9th October 2024 and will be held in the Local Studies Library, upstairs in Keighley Library. Doors open at 7.15pm (please use the Albert Street entrance if arriving at the Library after 7pm). There is a lift to access the first floor. Entry is free to History Society members and is £3.50 to anyone else – all are welcome to attend. The meeting is scheduled to finish around 8.45pm.

Membership of the History Society costs £15 for the calendar year. You can join at any of our meetings in the Library. If you join at this meeting you will get membership for 2025 with the rest of 2024 thrown in. Cash only please.

Lost & Forgotten Inns & Pubs

A reminder that it’s Eddie Kelly’s talk on The Lost and Forgotten Inns of Keighley tomorrow evening (Wednesday 11th November 2024). This is a members-only meeting held on Zoom. Members should’ve had their email from Anne-Marie by now with details on how to join the meeting (please check your junk mail folders if you can’t find it).

September 2024 Events

Plenty of activities lining up for September…

Sunday 1st September – Keighley Bus Museum is having an Open Day at their Dalton Lane site. The History Society has a display.

Saturday 7th September – Keighley Show. The History Society has a stall – hope to see lots of you there. We will have a special offer on History Society membership for new members – pay for 2025 membership and get the rest of 2024 thrown in. Membership is £15 (cash-only please).

Monday 9th September – The History Society is holding a guided walk around Keighley town centre as part of the Keighley Walking Festival. Meet at the Town Hall Square at 1pm (distance is about 1.5 miles, comfortable shows advised).

Wednesday 11th September – September’s History Society meeting is Eddie Kelly talking about the ‘Lost & Forgotten Inns & Public Houses of Keighley’. This meeting is on Zoom (NOT in the library) and is a members-only meeting.

Hope to see as many of you as possible at these different events.