Memories of Keighley in times past

Back home she penned this report of her nostalgic visit and enclosed a number of photographs taken by her grandfather on his arrival in Keighley, around 1910

I have recently visited Keighley to attend my first Old Girls Reunion of Keighley Girls' Grammar School.

Although I did not expect to see any girls who were at school with me, apart from the friend who accompanied me, I was given a very warm welcome and enjoyed being amongst 'old girls' reminiscing on their past memories of Keighley Girls' Grammar School.

Sadly the school has that name no longer. I joined Drake and Tonsons Girls Grammar School, as it was originally called, in 1929 at the tender age of five years, the Junior Department being resident in Temple Street Church building.

I was born in an Oakworth Nursing Home in May 1924 and returned to my home in the centre of Keighley at 105 Cavendish Street where we lived over the studio of my grandfather's and father's photographic studio.

My grandfather arrived with his family of a son and daughter in 1910.

He had had two studios in Essex and looking for 'fresh fields', moved to Keighley establishing a photographic studio with a Mr Sigger and so the firm 'Hall and Siggers' was created.

Being born, bred and educated in Keighley I have many happy memories of my life in the town, revolving around my time at Keighley Girls' Grammar School, worship at Keighley Parish Church, skating at the tarn involving the long walk to get there, visits to the cinemas Regent and later the Odeon, tobogganing down the fields at the top of Spring Gardens Lane, swimming at The Baths and visits to the pantomime at the Hippodrome Theatre.

So much enjoyment in those days without television.

With difficulty we found our way through Bradford.

The bus route from Bradford to Keighley was unrecognisable to me.

Riddlesden became familiar and finally we found the Beeches Hotel where we were staying.

I recalled it as someone's gracious home in days gone by, not far from Victoria Park. I had a walk into the town to see what I could recall.

Cavendish Street, now with a new verandah which looked much the same but without its familiar shops.

The Memorial Square was familiar, the Library and North Street where Hammonds used to be, providing afternoon tea.

Much had been demolished which I remembered, and no longer the familiar shops which my family patronised, Maison Maude, Reids the Book Shop, Barkers, Hudsons, Baldwins and Feathers to name but a few.

My father's old property at 4 Cavendish Street was in a sorry state from its former glory.

Hall and Siggers had moved from 105 Cavendish Street to 4 Cavendish in 1935. My father purchased the property which had been a bank I believe.

As a family we lived over the studio and it was my home until I left for college during the war.

I returned to Keighley during vacations when changes were beginning to take place but I finally left in 1952 on getting married.

Keighley was a well planned town, providing varied industries, well cared public parks, a museum, library, a stately parish church and two excellent grammar schools, one for girls and one for boys. Despite the changes I felt from my visit that Keighley still had much to offer.

I visited the shopping centre and found it bright, clean and friendly.

I discovered the book shop still known as Reids, now near the multi-storied car park, where I purchased two excellent books on Keighley which having read them, motivated me to recall my visit to Keighley.

I visited Milburns, the only shop family owned, which I was familiar with during my time living in Keighley.

It was a pleasure to buy my paper there, cards of Keighley and speak to the second-generation owners.

My school friend kindly gave me a short tour of Keighley, visited the old school, a worthwhile visit to Cliffe Castle and a visit to the tarn.

I always felt that whilst living in the town it was a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales and despite its changes so it is today. I hope to come again to revisit old haunts.