A Bridge too Far: Travellers on the A639 to Leeds cannot have missed the metal track laid parallel to the railway line at ground level (Feb 2009). It would appear that Railtrack, or is … Continue Reading →
Notebooks from the Reading Rooms
Three notebooks/diaries submitted by Terry Livsey of Methley Junction site are in the form of diaries on early printed small cash books. The three handwritten books are in the style … Continue Reading →
Disaster at Oulton Mine 1910
Whilst searching for details of a fatality at Savile, I came across the following report in the local paper of a serious accident at the Water Haigh Mine in the … Continue Reading →
A Visit to the Archaeology Department
The following is an incomplete list of information extracted following a visit to the West Yorkshire Archaeological Service offices in Wakefield. (Acknowledgement Mr I Sanderson WY Archaeology Dept.) •There is … Continue Reading →
Archbishops Visitation Records
The Visitations (accountability meetings) were occasionally held at Nostell Priory and the records reveal :- presentations (fines) for moral misdemeanours, non payment of assessments, failing to take communion and, or, … Continue Reading →
The Parsonage
A license to re-build the parsonage house in 1690 states that ‘the decays were through the neglect and the long non-residence of the incumbent’ (Tobias Conyers 1676 – 1687). It … Continue Reading →
Pulleine Headstone
Oft I have stood as you stand now To view the graves as you view mine Think thou must soon be laid as low And others stand to gaze at … Continue Reading →
Lost Buildings of Methley
Buildings that have disappeared include :- Methley Grange, Carr Hall presumably demolished for the construction of Savile Colliery and West Hall, similarly demolished for Newmarket Colliery. Further enquiries to be … Continue Reading →
Murder at Foxholes
I am indebted to Elaine and John Jordan of Castleford for a copy of the following extract from the Wakefield Express of 10th August 1895. Elaine took up the search … Continue Reading →
English Civil War 1641-1648
In the lead up to this breakdown of order, Parliament abolished many royal prerogatives and ordered the execution of Lord Strafford, Chief Adviser to Charles I. A statement of abuses … Continue Reading →
The Manor of Woodhall in Methley
Situated in Mickletown and partly Woodrow, the Manor house in Mickletown was the three gabled property fronting on to Main Street. Manor House Since being demolished in the 1960’s (The … Continue Reading →