Cutest baby faces! 1954
BIRKENSHAW Show used to be one of the main attractions in the Spen Valley calendar with thousands flocking from all over Yorkshire. Back in 1954, the show was in its heydey and there were competitions in categories such as horses, poultry, dogs, horticulture and children’s sports. There was also a colourful procession led by the show queen and what carnival would be complete without a baby show? Our picture, taken in July of that year, shows proud mums with their babies, all hoping that their cute kid would be chosen as the winner. The top toddlers 50 years ago were Pauline Ann Ibbetson of Liversedge and Linda Simms of Gomersal (up to six months); John Nelson of Birstall and Stephanie Hunneybell of Batley (six-12 months); Christine Jackson of Liversedge and Susan Blackburn of Liversedge (12 months-two years). An extra prize went to Irene Kitson of Westgate Hill. The Birkenshaw Show Queen was Carol Negus and her attendants were Maureen Eyres, Sheila Kitchen, Ann Throp, Lilian Walsworth, Ann Fretwell and Susan Wilson, while the page-boy was Graham Ward.
Karting Krazy
FORGET Gameboys, i-pods and PlayStations – the children of the 1950s had to use their own imagination when it came to playtime. It was amazing what boys could create out of bits of wood, a few old wheels and a length of rope or a steering wheel as this picture shows. These youngsters are under starters’ orders as they take part in a soap-box derby run in Liversedge in August 1954.
Putting down roots
CHILDREN in the newly built Windy Bank Estate in Hightown were putting down their roots quite literally when they took part in a tree planting scheme in March 1954. Fourteen children were chosen to plant trees on one side of their football field in Miry Lane in an event organised by Spenborough Council and the Windy Bank Tenants’ Association, to encourage kids to take pride in nature. The children each represented the avenue in which they lived and they were: Charlie Wakeley (First Avenue), Clarice Battye (Second), Anne Crowther (Third), Geoffrey Thompson (Fourth), Ruth Barrett (Fifth), Richard Arnold (Sixth), Paul Nolan (Seventh), Stella Helsby (Eighth), Stephen Toms (Ninth), Judith Kitson (Tenth), Sandra Holdroyd (Eleventh), Maureen Roberts (Twelfth), Phillip Hemming (Thirteenth) and Rodney Wilcox (Windy Bank Lane). Coun Percy Fawcett, chairman of the housing committee, said he hoped the children would remember with pride in later life.
