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.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.
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.

Leeds in 1911: Memories of trackless cars, tramways and a king's coronation

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 21st Feb 2023, 04:45 BST
Updated 18th Feb 2024, 10:33 BST

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The beaming smiles on the excited faces of these Leeds factory workers tells its own story.

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

An illuminated tramcar of Leeds City Transport in a tram shed in the city. This was decorated with 2,750 coloured light bulbs for the coronation of King George V which took place on June 22, 1911. It then ran along the Leeds tracks for about a month after and was one of the first trams to visit Morley on the evening of July 5, 1911, the day of the official opening of the line that had been extended from Elland Road to Churwell and Morley.

13. Leeds in 1911

An illuminated tramcar of Leeds City Transport in a tram shed in the city. This was decorated with 2,750 coloured light bulbs for the coronation of King George V which took place on June 22, 1911. It then ran along the Leeds tracks for about a month after and was one of the first trams to visit Morley on the evening of July 5, 1911, the day of the official opening of the line that had been extended from Elland Road to Churwell and Morley. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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Scatcherd Park on the day of its opening in July 1911. Crowds are seen lining the main pathways and steps. The park, which included gardens, seating and a bowling green, was bequeathed to the town in the will of Oliver Scatcherd.He was last member of a family who had a long history in the town.The park was opened on behalf of his trustees by former Town Clerk Richard Borrough Hopkins.

14. Leeds in 1911

Scatcherd Park on the day of its opening in July 1911. Crowds are seen lining the main pathways and steps. The park, which included gardens, seating and a bowling green, was bequeathed to the town in the will of Oliver Scatcherd.He was last member of a family who had a long history in the town.The park was opened on behalf of his trustees by former Town Clerk Richard Borrough Hopkins. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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The entrance to Kirkgate Market in May 1911 with shops on outside of market visible. John and Joseph Leeming of Halifax won a competition to rebuild the market, which was started in 1901 and opened July 1, 1904.

15. Leeds in 1911

The entrance to Kirkgate Market in May 1911 with shops on outside of market visible. John and Joseph Leeming of Halifax won a competition to rebuild the market, which was started in 1901 and opened July 1, 1904. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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