Morley in the 1960s: Photo gems chart changing face of town

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 27th Aug 2023, 04:45 BST

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These wonderful photos chart the changing face of Morley during the 1960s.

Local landmarks and street scenes take centre stage in this decade long trip down memory lane. They feature corner shops, bird’s eye views as well as well travelled and much loved townscapes including Morley Bottoms and Hunger Hill. The images are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Fountain Street at the junction with Little Fountain Street in August 1968. The shop is a tobacconist and confectioners owned by M. and M. Knowles. The bridge over the railway lines can be seen to the left. A woman is crossing Little Fountain Street in front of a parked car.

1. Morley in the 1960s

Fountain Street at the junction with Little Fountain Street in August 1968. The shop is a tobacconist and confectioners owned by M. and M. Knowles. The bridge over the railway lines can be seen to the left. A woman is crossing Little Fountain Street in front of a parked car. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Morley Grammar School surrounded by playing fields in August 1968. Fountain Street in the background. The Wakefield-Bradford railway line is on the left.

2. Morley in the 1960s

Morley Grammar School surrounded by playing fields in August 1968. Fountain Street in the background. The Wakefield-Bradford railway line is on the left. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

A view of Morley Bottoms looking from Troy Road in April1967. In the centre are properties 1-17 Station Road which were soon to be demolished. Shops on Cheapside, Morley Bottoms can be seen to the left, one with a white awning outside. Prospect Mill can be seen in the background on the hill with chimneys to the left.

3. Morley in the 1960s

A view of Morley Bottoms looking from Troy Road in April1967. In the centre are properties 1-17 Station Road which were soon to be demolished. Shops on Cheapside, Morley Bottoms can be seen to the left, one with a white awning outside. Prospect Mill can be seen in the background on the hill with chimneys to the left. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Albert Mills on Wellington Street showing damage after a fire on August 18, 1961.

4. Morley in the 1960s

Albert Mills on Wellington Street showing damage after a fire on August 18, 1961. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Two children are walking on the pavement on Cobden Street in 1964.

5. Morley in the 1960s

Two children are walking on the pavement on Cobden Street in 1964. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

A view looking south east along Queen Street showing the Town Hall in the centre in August 1968. The building below the Town Hall on the left with the flat white roof is the new co-op building. The cleared area behind the Town Hall was originally the site of the Queen's Mill woollen textiles demolished in 1962.

6. Morley in the 1960s

A view looking south east along Queen Street showing the Town Hall in the centre in August 1968. The building below the Town Hall on the left with the flat white roof is the new co-op building. The cleared area behind the Town Hall was originally the site of the Queen's Mill woollen textiles demolished in 1962. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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