This collection of photos turns back the clock to the 1910s and highlights the community’s links to coal against a backdrop of the wonder of nature. The area’s green spaces are also in focus with Sissons Wood and Middleton Park all featured. The images are 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: Mesmerising photos take you back to Middleton in the 1970s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Middleton in the 1910s
Middleton New Pit, off Belle Isle Road, part of Middleton Colliery. This was the scene of a terrible explosion which took place on April5, 1880, killing one man and seriously injuring four others. Fortunately most of the miners had left the pit shortly before the accident, otherwise the death toll would have been much higher. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
2. Middleton 1910s
A view from Middleton Pit Hill across fields to houses, factories, factory chimneys and other industrial buildings in Hunslet. Pictured in September 1918. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
3. Middleton in the 1910s
A view across to Hunslet from Middleton Pit Hills, showing crop fields, houses, factory chimneys and factories in the distance. Pictured in September 1918. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
4. Middleton in the 1910s
A view across fields of steel works from Thorpe Lane. Distant view of railway line. Pictured in September 1918. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
5. Middleton in the 1910s
Fields and woodland at Westwood. Pictured in September 1918. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
6. Middleton in the 1910s
A view looking from Broom Hill towards Railway line. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net