"Litter Picking George" as local children know him, sweeps verges in the village in August 1972. George Handshaw, 55, misses not even the smallest piece of litter as he sweeps paths covering many miles.placeholder image
"Litter Picking George" as local children know him, sweeps verges in the village in August 1972. George Handshaw, 55, misses not even the smallest piece of litter as he sweeps paths covering many miles.

26 gentle photos take you around Yorkshire in 1972

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 14th Dec 2023, 04:45 GMT
Updated 17th Mar 2025, 14:42 GMT

The wonder of Yorkshire is celebrated in this gallery of memories charting a year in the life of God’s own county.

The photos turn back the clock to 1972 and showcase the stories which were making the news around the county during the dawn of a new decade. Locations in focus include York and Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Wakefield, Leeds and Halifax in West Yorkshire, Sheffield and Barnsley in south Yorkshire and Bridlington on the east coast. It was a 12 months which featured strikes, a royal visit and a Hell’s Angel wedding. READ MORE: 19 photo memories take you around Yorkshire in 1971 LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

The new health centre in the town in April 1972.

7. Pocklington

The new health centre in the town in April 1972. Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
A bird's eye view of the town in July 1972.

8. Halifax,

A bird's eye view of the town in July 1972. Photo: Halifax Courier

Photo Sales
Singer Roy Orbison greets members Pauline Margerison, Kathleen Hainsworth and Barbara Lonsdale at Batley Variety Club in August 1972.

9. Batley

Singer Roy Orbison greets members Pauline Margerison, Kathleen Hainsworth and Barbara Lonsdale at Batley Variety Club in August 1972. Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
Stonegate in October 1972.

10. York

Stonegate in October 1972. Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
Traffic jams and congestion plagued the market town in April 1972.

11. Malton

Traffic jams and congestion plagued the market town in April 1972. Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
Firefighters dealt with a blaze behind The Scarborough Hotel in June 1972.

12. Leeds

Firefighters dealt with a blaze behind The Scarborough Hotel in June 1972. Photo: YPN

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 5
Next Page
Related topics:North YorkshireLeedsYorkWest YorkshireHalifaxHarrogate
Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice