Taken in the playground of Sheepscar Council School, parents and carers have gathered to watch the pupils take part in May Day celebrations.placeholder image
Taken in the playground of Sheepscar Council School, parents and carers have gathered to watch the pupils take part in May Day celebrations. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Leeds retro: 16 nostalgic photos show life in Sheepscar in the 1950s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 17th Sep 2026, 04:30 GMT

Sheepscar in the 1950s: Sheepscar Council School, Barrack Road, Sheepscar Beck in focus

These wonderful photos charting a decade in the life of Sheepscar start on a school playground. The main photo shows May Day celebrations at Sheepscar Council School in 1953. It is one of 17 photos celebrating life around the suburb during the 1950s. Other landmarks featured include Roscoe Place Methodist Chapel Sunday School and Sheepscar Beck as well as familiar streets including Barrack Road, Bristol Street and Buslingthorpe Lane. The photos are a mix from West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive 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: Memories of lost Leeds pubs - Chapel Allerton, Sheepscar, Chapeltown and Little London LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Benson Street, on the left is the junction with Cross Stamford Street. In the centre is Lovington Street.Pictured in May 1959.

13. Sheepscar in the 1950s

Benson Street, on the left is the junction with Cross Stamford Street. In the centre is Lovington Street.Pictured in May 1959. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Back Barrack Street, looking towards Sheepscar Street, in August 1958.

14. Sheepscar in the 1950s

Back Barrack Street, looking towards Sheepscar Street, in August 1958. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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On the left is Sheepscar Street South, next going off to the right is Benson Street. This block of property was the business of Palmers Tyres. Pictured in May 1959.

15. Sheepscar in the 1950s

On the left is Sheepscar Street South, next going off to the right is Benson Street. This block of property was the business of Palmers Tyres. Pictured in May 1959. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Bristol Street in May 1959. To the left a factory can be seen which was Clarke (Dritex)Ltd, raincoat manufacturers, Stamford Works, Cross Stamford Street.

16. Sheepscar in the 1950s

Bristol Street in May 1959. To the left a factory can be seen which was Clarke (Dritex)Ltd, raincoat manufacturers, Stamford Works, Cross Stamford Street. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Buslingthorpe Lane is to the left, the shop at the corner with Cross Barrack Street is number 19 Buslingthorpe Lane. On the right is Cross Barrack Street, a Lyons Maid ice-cream delivery van is parked there. Pictured in July 1958.

17. Sheepscar in the 1950s

Buslingthorpe Lane is to the left, the shop at the corner with Cross Barrack Street is number 19 Buslingthorpe Lane. On the right is Cross Barrack Street, a Lyons Maid ice-cream delivery van is parked there. Pictured in July 1958. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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