12 brilliant Leeds pictures taking you back to Morley in 1968

It was the year TV royalty visited the town and a new pub raised spirits within the community.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 19th Oct 2022, 04:45 GMT

Updated 19th Oct 2023, 15:02 GMT

Hundreds turned out as the DFS Furniture Centre on Queen Street was opened by actress Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street. And new pub on the block The Arkle opened its doors for the first time. A competition among the general public was held to choose a name for the pub, named after the great steeplechaser. This was Morley in 1968, a year which also featured the end of 200 years of worship at a chapel after it was turned into a carpet warehouse. These images are published courtesy of the David Atkinson Archive, a collection housed on Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Fabulous colour photos celebrate life in Morley during the 1960s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Enjoy these photo memories from Morley in 1968. PIC: David Atkinson Archive, Leeds Libraries

1. Morley in 1968

Enjoy these photo memories from Morley in 1968. PIC: David Atkinson Archive, Leeds Libraries Photo: David Atkinson Archive, Leeds Libraries

The DFS Furniture Centre on Queen Street was opened in March 1968 by Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street, hence the large crowd which turned out to witness the opening. Several mounted police were brought in to help control the crowd but the event went off with a good humoured nature and there was no trouble

2. Morley in 1968

The DFS Furniture Centre on Queen Street was opened in March 1968 by Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street, hence the large crowd which turned out to witness the opening. Several mounted police were brought in to help control the crowd but the event went off with a good humoured nature and there was no trouble Photo: David Atkinson Archive, Leeds Libraries

The Rehoboth Chapel, pictured in May 1968 after its closure as a place of worship, when it was being used as a carpet warehouse. It boasted seating for 600 on a lower and upper floor with schoolrooms below. There was also a separate Hall which had two large halls and several classrooms. The origins of the chapel date back to 1764.

3. Morley in 1968

The Rehoboth Chapel, pictured in May 1968 after its closure as a place of worship, when it was being used as a carpet warehouse. It boasted seating for 600 on a lower and upper floor with schoolrooms below. There was also a separate Hall which had two large halls and several classrooms. The origins of the chapel date back to 1764. Photo: David Atkinson Archive, Leeds Libraries

April 1968 and Queen Street is seen from Scarth Gardens, showing St. Mary's-in-the-Wood Congregational Church in the background and the junction with Queen's Promenade on the right.

4. Morley in 1968

April 1968 and Queen Street is seen from Scarth Gardens, showing St. Mary's-in-the-Wood Congregational Church in the background and the junction with Queen's Promenade on the right. Photo: David Atkinson Archive, Leeds Libraries

The Central Methodist Church Sunday School at the corner of Queen Street and Wesley Street in May 1968. The church itself was behind. The school was built in 1883-84 but was demolished shortly after this photograph and a Tesco supermarket was built on the site.

5. Morley in 1968

The Central Methodist Church Sunday School at the corner of Queen Street and Wesley Street in May 1968. The church itself was behind. The school was built in 1883-84 but was demolished shortly after this photograph and a Tesco supermarket was built on the site. Photo: David Atkinson Archive, Leeds Libraries

St. Mary's-in-the-Wood Church Sunday School building on Commercial Street, opposite Morley Library, pictured in April 1968. The iron gates and railings were removed during the Second World War when part of the building was also used as an A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions) Centre.

6. Morley in 1968

St. Mary's-in-the-Wood Church Sunday School building on Commercial Street, opposite Morley Library, pictured in April 1968. The iron gates and railings were removed during the Second World War when part of the building was also used as an A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions) Centre. Photo: David Atkinson Archive, Leeds Libraries