They are the industries which dominate this gallery showcasing a decade in the life of Churwell in the 1960s. They feature the large leatherworks at Millshaw, the firm of W.L. Ingle Ltd, which employed around 500 people in its heyday. Also in focus is the Japa factory at Laneside Mills which manufactured a variety of paper products for close on six decades before closure in the mid-1990s. The collection also features the community’s rhubarb fields. These photos are published courtesy of the David Atkinson Archive whose collection is housed on Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service.
7. Churwell in the 1960s
Laneside Buildings and Kirk Villa in Elland Road at the top of Churwell Hill in August 1968. Kirk Villa is the grocer's shop of A. & B. Jackson at number 4 Laneside Terrace. Kirk Villa was the original name for Morley Grange which once stood on the opposite side of Elland Road. Photo: David Atkinson Archive
8. Churwell in the 1960s
Laneside Mills pictured in August 1965, located off Victoria Road. The buildings seen here are occupied by small businesses including the Yorkshire Wiper Co. Ltd., Leeds Welding Co. Ltd. and Archer Welding Ltd. Photo: David Atkinson Archive
9. Churwell in the 1960s
One of the former mill dams at the Japa Factory which moved into Laneside Mills in 1936. Laneside Mills was originally a textile mill started by George Crowther in 1829 and expanded by Sir Charles Scarth in the late nineteenth century. Japa is an acronym for Just Another Paper Article. Photo: David Atkinson Archive
10. Churwell in the 1960s
The Japa factory located at Laneside Mills since 1936. They manufactured a variety of paper products before closure circa 1994. Prior to 1936 the mills had been occupied by the textile manufacturing firm of Charles Scarth, the largest in the Morley area. The oldest part of the mills dated from 1829 when George Crowther started his textiles business. Coils of wire are stacked in the foreground. | David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive
11. Churwell in the 1960s
A view across rhubarb fields to Beeston in July 1961 | David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive
12. Churwell in the 1960s
Back Green showing the stone built Springwell House in the centre, with green-painted woodwork, in July 1968. Behind it, in the background, is Coteroyd House, with white window frames. At the left edge, part of Back Green Methodist Chapel is visible with the Sunday School behind. | David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive