Former mill workers in Guiseley are being urged to honour the memory of one of the town’s greatest philanthropists.
Members of Aireborough Civic Society are to unveil a blue plaque next month to recognise the importance of Jonathan Peate in the suburb’s rich history.
Mr Peate was born in a cottage in Yeadon in 1837 and went on to become a successful cloth manufacturer.
He built Nunroyd Mills with his two brothers in 1868 and the mill continued to employ residents until it was demolished in 1987.
Peate sold the mill in 1909 and four years later he reinvented Springhead Mills into a vertical woollen mill.
Members of the society are now looking for former employees to attend the special plaque unveiling.
Civic society chairman Clive Woods said: “Jonathan Peate was a key person in the development of the industry and his spirit of generosity is a good example of social responsibility that is just as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.”
Peate and his wife Ruth lived in Nunroyd House for many years until his death in 1924. He helped to fund the completion of Yeadon Town Hall and he donated Yeadon Park and Nethermoor Park to be used for the community.
Peate also spent over 25 years as the chairman of the Board of Guardians which was responsible for looking after the poor, running the workhouse and later the Infirmary which then became Otley Hospital.
Former Nunroyd Mills employee Rex Learmonth, who worked at the site from 1953 until 1970, came up with the idea to honour Peate after he carried out some research about the family.
To attend the unveiling email Clive Woods at: clivewoods@hotmail.com
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