North Street looking north towards the Swan and Talbot Public House (in the background). The Angel Hotel dominates the foreground, right. Both these establishments were principal posting inns in their day and employed 25 servants between them, dealing with the coaching and carrying trade.North Street looking north towards the Swan and Talbot Public House (in the background). The Angel Hotel dominates the foreground, right. Both these establishments were principal posting inns in their day and employed 25 servants between them, dealing with the coaching and carrying trade.
North Street looking north towards the Swan and Talbot Public House (in the background). The Angel Hotel dominates the foreground, right. Both these establishments were principal posting inns in their day and employed 25 servants between them, dealing with the coaching and carrying trade.

16 wonderous photos take you back to Wetherby in the 1960s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 25th Jan 2024, 04:45 BST

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The wonder of Wetherby is celebrated in this look at a decade in the life of the market town.

This collection of photos take you back to the 1960s and showcase a series of local landmarks, pubs, shops and streets which remain familiar to generations of residents. The gallery also features photo memories from surrounding villages including Kirk Deighton. They are a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of R. Ackrill Ltd. who owned a series of newspaper titles back in the day including the Wetherby News and Harrogate Advertiser. READ MORE: 19 photos to take you back to Wetherby in the 1990s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

North Street showing the Garden of Rest at the corner with Bank Street on the left, and looking north. The Garden of Rest was laid out on the site of properties which had caused North Street to become a bottle neck for traffic. In 1929 these properties were demolished including the Bowling Green Hotel, this enabled the road to be widened by nearly two and a half metres. The Midland Bank, at number 11 North Street, can be clearly seen, but, on an earlier image from the same vantage point, it is completely obscured by the Bowling Green Hotel. Pictured in July 1962.

7. Wetherby in the 1960s

North Street showing the Garden of Rest at the corner with Bank Street on the left, and looking north. The Garden of Rest was laid out on the site of properties which had caused North Street to become a bottle neck for traffic. In 1929 these properties were demolished including the Bowling Green Hotel, this enabled the road to be widened by nearly two and a half metres. The Midland Bank, at number 11 North Street, can be clearly seen, but, on an earlier image from the same vantage point, it is completely obscured by the Bowling Green Hotel. Pictured in July 1962. Photo: R. Ackrill Ltd.

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Thorner Parish Church pictured in June 1960.

8. Wetherby in the 1960s

Thorner Parish Church pictured in June 1960. Photo: YPN

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Stream which runs by the footpath on Thorner's Westfield Lane in September 1961.

9. Wetherby in the 1960s

Stream which runs by the footpath on Thorner's Westfield Lane in September 1961. Photo: YPN

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Blacksmiths were having great difficulty in finding young men to carry on the traditions of their craft. But Stanley Thompson, 20, seen here working at a forge in February 1962, had completed a six year apprenticeship under Fred Garten, 68, at York Road Forge in the town and was primed to carry on as a farrier for many years.

10. Wetherby in the 1960s

Blacksmiths were having great difficulty in finding young men to carry on the traditions of their craft. But Stanley Thompson, 20, seen here working at a forge in February 1962, had completed a six year apprenticeship under Fred Garten, 68, at York Road Forge in the town and was primed to carry on as a farrier for many years. Photo: Laurie Mercer

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May 1962 and the cows of St. Mark's Farm in Kirk Deighton held up traffic every day on the by-pass clearway as they are driven between the farm and their pasture. The cattle, about 100 of them, are taken along the clearway for a short distance before turning into the farm entrance. The same procedure applies for the return trip. It happens sevens times a day. Wetherby Public Health Committee has recommended that Wetherby Rural Council should complain to the Ministry of Transport. Farmer J. J. Dalby, who owns the farm, says he and his workers take their lives in their hands when they step out to stop the traffic, and thinks that a fly-over or bridge should be built to remove the danger. Meanwhile, motorists stamp on their brakes and then wait while the "cattle drive" takes place.

11. Wetherby in the 1960s

May 1962 and the cows of St. Mark's Farm in Kirk Deighton held up traffic every day on the by-pass clearway as they are driven between the farm and their pasture. The cattle, about 100 of them, are taken along the clearway for a short distance before turning into the farm entrance. The same procedure applies for the return trip. It happens sevens times a day. Wetherby Public Health Committee has recommended that Wetherby Rural Council should complain to the Ministry of Transport. Farmer J. J. Dalby, who owns the farm, says he and his workers take their lives in their hands when they step out to stop the traffic, and thinks that a fly-over or bridge should be built to remove the danger. Meanwhile, motorists stamp on their brakes and then wait while the "cattle drive" takes place. Photo: YPN

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January 1964 and Wetherby Council wanted to merge the parish of Wothersome with Bramham to form a new parish of Bramham.

12. Wetherby in the 1960s

January 1964 and Wetherby Council wanted to merge the parish of Wothersome with Bramham to form a new parish of Bramham. Photo: YPN

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