This photo of staff at wholesale clothing manufacturers John Barran & Sons Limited on Chorley Lane was taken in celebration of the coronation of George V. The workplace is festooned with decorative bunting and paper chains, from which are suspended rosettes displaying the portrait of the king. Many of workers, sat at the side of Singer sewing machines, are wearing bonnets, some trimmed with flowers. This was Leeds in 1911, a year which featured a revolution in city transport thanks to trackless cars and new tramway routes. These 12 photos provide a fascinating glimpse into a year in the life of Leeds which as been lost to the sands of time. The photos are published courtesy of the David Atkinson Archive and 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: Fantastic photos show life in Leeds during the 1910s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
1. Leeds in 1911
Staff seated at their Singer sewing machines at the firm of John Barran & Sons Limited, wholesale clothing manufacturers on Chorley Lane. The workplace was festooned with decorative bunting and paper chains, from which are suspended rosettes displaying the portrait of George V. The elaborate decorations are in celebration of his coronation which took place on June 22, 1911. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Leeds in 1911
A postcard with a postmark of July 27, 1911 showing the Upper Lake at Roundhay Park. Photo: Artemis, Leeds City Council
3. Leeds in 1911
Leeds Town Hall, decorated for the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in June 1911. The names of the George and Mary are on the top of the building, with a crown. Lights circle the pillars and dome. In front of the Town Hall is the statue of Queen Victoria, which was removed to Woodhouse Moor in 1937. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. Leeds in 1911
Trackless car number 503 at Moor Top in Farnley, at the junction of Whitehall Road and Lawns Lane. Car 503 was one of two serving the route, along with car 501,and is pictured after the inaugural journey and opening of the Bradford and Leeds rail-less trolley car systems on June 20, 1911. Leeds Lord Mayor, William Middlebrook MP, can be seen standing in the doorway of the car. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. Leeds in 1911
Trackless car 503, and behind it number 501, with a group of guests waiting to board for the inaugural journey to Moor Top in Farnley. The cars set off from Thirsk Row, between Wellington Street and Aire Street after a luncheon at Leeds Town Hall with the Lord Mayor William Middlebrook MP and deputy mayor Alderman FJ Kitson with additional guests travelling in accompanying automobiles. A regular hourly service on the route began at 1pm on June 24, 1911. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
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