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
7. Leeds in 1911
Trams first came to Morley in 1911, much later than other areas of Leeds, having reached as far as Churwell in 1904. This postcard shows the official opening of the Morley-Leeds tramway at Churwell Dyeworks in July 1911. The Lord Mayor of Leeds, former Morley Mayor Alderman William Middlebrook, had driven the tram from Leeds to Churwell and is seen here in the top hat handing over the controls to the then Mayor of Morley, Alderman Samuel Rhodes, seen on the platform of the tram, who drove it the rest of the way to Morley. The Churwell Councillor, George Smith Tetley, is hanging from the steps on the right. Photo: David Atkinson Archive
8. Leeds in 1911
A heavily illuminated tramcar, created to celebrate the coronation of King George V. The photograph was most likely taken at Kirkstall Tram Works. Pictured in June 1911. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
9. Leeds in 1911
The aftermath of an accident on Woodhouse Lane in July 1911 after a nine-tonne steam traction engine ran out of control and crashed into a sadler's shop. It also wrecked a confectioner's shop next door. A report in the Leeds Mercury stated the engine belonged to Messrs Arnold & Sons of Doncaster, and was on its' way to Knostrop Sewage Works, with driver Albert Johnson and William Starkless steering, when a clutch pin came out, causing the engine to speed rapidly downhill and break the steering chain. Both wheels came off in the accident, as seen in the photograph. A policeman can be seen on the left viewing the wreckage. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
10. Leeds in 1911
Plan of Town Hall area of Leeds city centre, including part of Park Square in July 1911. It was drawn up for proposed tramway offices. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
11. Leeds in 1911
Local dignitaries assembled for the opening of the Leeds-Morley Tramline which took place on July 5, 1911. This was a great occasion attended by thousands of people along the route. The very first section of the route was from the bottom of Churwell Hill to the Fountain Inn. Photo: David Atkinson Archive
12. Leeds in 1911
A group of workers employed in the sinking of a new shaft at Fanny Pit on Bullough Lane at Rothwell Haigh. Previously known as Midland Pit, the first shaft was sunk By J&J Charlesworth in 1867. The mine became known as Fanny Pit - after one of Charlesworth's daughters - after the new shaft was sunk in 1911. The old shaft was kept open for ventilation, with an additional ventilation shaft sunk in 1922. The boy seated at the front is holding a board giving the signals for raising and lowering the tub, or hoppett. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net