This photo shows Cecil Road in October 1955. On the left is Cecil Road Council School. A lollipop stick is visible in the playground. Advertisements for the 'Sports Gala' can be seen in the window of the school. To the right is a sign for the 'Hygienic Laundry'.placeholder image
This photo shows Cecil Road in October 1955. On the left is Cecil Road Council School. A lollipop stick is visible in the playground. Advertisements for the 'Sports Gala' can be seen in the window of the school. To the right is a sign for the 'Hygienic Laundry'. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

West Leeds: 18 awe-inspiring photos take you back to Armley in the 1950s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 5th Jan 2025, 16:00 GMT

These awe-inspiri ng photos are sure to evoke memories for a generation of those who called Armley home in the 1950s

Pubs, shops, churches and schools as well as the suburb’s links to a well-known businessman best known for his buses are all featured in this wonderful look at life around the community during the decade. The images are a mix from West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Photo gems take you around the streets of Armley in the 1960s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Eyres Mill Side on Theaker Lane in December 1957. This building was once a Methodist Chapel seating 600. At the time of the photograph the building was in use as a branch works of the Crosthwaite Furnaces and Scriven Machine Tools Ltd, head office, York Road.

13. Armley in the 1950s

Eyres Mill Side on Theaker Lane in December 1957. This building was once a Methodist Chapel seating 600. At the time of the photograph the building was in use as a branch works of the Crosthwaite Furnaces and Scriven Machine Tools Ltd, head office, York Road. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Eyres Place in November 1957. In the distance is Winker Green and the Automobile Glass Co. Ltd, a division of the Motor Distributors Garage on Stanningley Road.

14. Armley in the 1950s

Eyres Place in November 1957. In the distance is Winker Green and the Automobile Glass Co. Ltd, a division of the Motor Distributors Garage on Stanningley Road. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Far Fold on the left with no. 22, an off licence belonging to Royce Ward, at the gable end of the terrace in November 1957.

15. Armley in the 1950s

Far Fold on the left with no. 22, an off licence belonging to Royce Ward, at the gable end of the terrace in November 1957. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Back-to-back terraced houses on Ledgard's Place in November 1957. It was probably named after Samuel Ledgard who took over the Nelson Hotel pub on Armley Road from his father in the late 1890s. He later began and ran a thriving catering services, a cattle farming business, a steam wagon haulage firm, a floor firm and bus routes.

16. Armley in the 1950s

Back-to-back terraced houses on Ledgard's Place in November 1957. It was probably named after Samuel Ledgard who took over the Nelson Hotel pub on Armley Road from his father in the late 1890s. He later began and ran a thriving catering services, a cattle farming business, a steam wagon haulage firm, a floor firm and bus routes. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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A derelict Theaker Lane Mill pictured in December 1957.

17. Armley in the 1950s

A derelict Theaker Lane Mill pictured in December 1957. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Theaker Lane in December 1957. Large signs on the building advertise John Webb, wholesale, warehouseman and manufacturer. The draper is also promoted as the sole distributer of Silver Queen beautiful stockings. On the right a sign publicises Verity's of Armley, a joiner offering shop fittings, maintenance and property repairs.

18. Armley in the 1950s

Theaker Lane in December 1957. Large signs on the building advertise John Webb, wholesale, warehouseman and manufacturer. The draper is also promoted as the sole distributer of Silver Queen beautiful stockings. On the right a sign publicises Verity's of Armley, a joiner offering shop fittings, maintenance and property repairs. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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