Morley in 1961: 10 photo gems from the last Sunday in March

These photos take you back to Morley and the last Sunday in March 1961.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 12th Mar 2023, 04:45 BST

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A procession was held from the Town Hall to the Central Methodist Church were a civic service was held to celebrate Morley's 75 years in existence as a municipal borough. The images are published courtesy of the David Atkinson Archive whose collection is housed on photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Enjoy these photo memories of Morley on the last Sunday in March 1961 when the town celebrated 75 years in existence as a municipal borough. PIC: David Atkinson Archive

1. Morley in 1961

Enjoy these photo memories of Morley on the last Sunday in March 1961 when the town celebrated 75 years in existence as a municipal borough. PIC: David Atkinson Archive Photo: David Atkinson Archive

Queen Street on the last Sunday morning in March 1961. Civic dignitaries and representatives are forming up a procession in front of the Town Hall steps in order to march to Queen Street Wesleyan Chapel.

2. Morley in 1961

Queen Street on the last Sunday morning in March 1961. Civic dignitaries and representatives are forming up a procession in front of the Town Hall steps in order to march to Queen Street Wesleyan Chapel. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

Members of the TA (Territorial Army) marching in the procession behind the Salvation Army Band. The Drill Hall in Ackroyd Street was opened amid great flourish by General Baldock in 1912, but was closed a year after the parade shown here in 1962. Morley Territorials were always connected with the Tank Regiment hence the black berets being worn here.

3. Morley in 1961

Members of the TA (Territorial Army) marching in the procession behind the Salvation Army Band. The Drill Hall in Ackroyd Street was opened amid great flourish by General Baldock in 1912, but was closed a year after the parade shown here in 1962. Morley Territorials were always connected with the Tank Regiment hence the black berets being worn here. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

The procession can be seen marching along Queen Street with the Town Hall visible in the background. Note that the Town Hall flag is flying at half mast; that the entry into the Zion Chapel church yard with its pollarded tree is still in existence; that the entrance to Beryl Burton Gardens is still called Henry Place and that the letters for F. W. Woolworth had been taken off their red background in order to be regilded. This was done every year. The Salvation Army Citadel Band, from Ackroyd Street in Morley, is leading the procession.

4. Morley in 1961

The procession can be seen marching along Queen Street with the Town Hall visible in the background. Note that the Town Hall flag is flying at half mast; that the entry into the Zion Chapel church yard with its pollarded tree is still in existence; that the entrance to Beryl Burton Gardens is still called Henry Place and that the letters for F. W. Woolworth had been taken off their red background in order to be regilded. This was done every year. The Salvation Army Citadel Band, from Ackroyd Street in Morley, is leading the procession. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

School contingents are seen here in the procession. The girls on the left are from Morley Grammar School, one of them being the daughter of the Vicar of Morley, Rosemary John. Behind them is a contingent from Woodkirk Secondary School led by three members of staff - Mr. F.E. Horsnail, Miss Jane Oddy and Mr. T. Jones; beyond this group there is the group from Victoria Secondary School - the new school at Bruntcliffe at this time was in the process of being built.

5. Morley in 1961

School contingents are seen here in the procession. The girls on the left are from Morley Grammar School, one of them being the daughter of the Vicar of Morley, Rosemary John. Behind them is a contingent from Woodkirk Secondary School led by three members of staff - Mr. F.E. Horsnail, Miss Jane Oddy and Mr. T. Jones; beyond this group there is the group from Victoria Secondary School - the new school at Bruntcliffe at this time was in the process of being built. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

The procession along Queen Street as part of the celebrations which were reported by the. Morley Observer. The paper gave an account of the participants in the procession which was led by the 7th Leeds Rifle Band and included the Leeds Rifles Territorial Army (just glimpsed and wearing black berets). It was also reported that the band was accompanied by Morley "A Cs" - it is unclear of the meaning of this abbreviation but it perhaps stood for the Morley Salvation Army Citadel.

6. Morley in 1961

The procession along Queen Street as part of the celebrations which were reported by the. Morley Observer. The paper gave an account of the participants in the procession which was led by the 7th Leeds Rifle Band and included the Leeds Rifles Territorial Army (just glimpsed and wearing black berets). It was also reported that the band was accompanied by Morley "A Cs" - it is unclear of the meaning of this abbreviation but it perhaps stood for the Morley Salvation Army Citadel. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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