Local History Videos

Castleford, West Yorkshire: History in Old Images

by

Debbie Death
in
Castleford, West Yorkshire, England

Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Castleford, in West Yorkshire, England, UK.

Princess Mary’s Visit in 1929

In 1929, Princess Mary made an official visit to open Castleford’s Hospital and War Memorial Marternity Home. She also planted a tree.

Princess Mary (1929) – British Pathé on YouTube

Deadly Factory Explosition in 1930

4 July 1930, the Hickson and Welch chemical factory in Castleford exploded. A fire had broken out in a nitric acid plant.

The explosition was so severe, it caused a crater, and huge factory walls were reduced to rubble. A two tonne steel girder was thrown across the street, taking out an entire chunk of a sturdy brick cowshed.

13 men were killed, and 32 people were injured. People in the streets were blown off their feet.

300 houses were wrecked, making 500 people homeless. They are shown loading their scant possessions onto a horse and cart.

In 1992, when the same site’s later factory was known as C6 Solutions, another deadly blast happened. This time five workers lost their lives, and a further 200 were injured.

The factory closed in 2005 and never reopened.

“Like An Earthquake” (1930) – British Pathé on YouTube

Marble Contest 1953

In 1953, a marble competition between a local team and a group of Americans resulted in presentation of the trophy to the Yorkshire Captain, Councillor J. Dowding. Colonel Joe Peck of Texas led the American team, who were from the Burtonwood military camp.

Castleford – Marble Contest Between Great Britain And U.S.A. (1953) – British Pathé on YouTube

Castleford’s First Mayor in 1955

On 26 May 1955, Ezra Taylor became Castleford’s first Mayor. He received his official chain from Major General Sir Knowell Holmes.

The Mayoress received her official Mayoral chain from Barbara Kirk, whilst Mrs Dodsworth presented her with flowers.

The newsreel about this event opens with a nice shot in central Castleford, and at the end we see various locations including a local mine and the seafront.

INSTALLATION OF THE FIRST MAYOR OF CASTLEFORD – British Movietone on YouTube

Marbles in 1956

While this newsreel is about another marbles competition, this time including shots of cricketer Len Hutton, Sir Bernard Docker and Lady Docker joining contestants on the real zebra skin mats, it opes with a nice shot of the entrance to Castleford.

A Reett Night Aht (1956) – British Pathé on YouTube

More Pictures of Old Castleford

Old Castleford in West Yorkshire, England, enjoyed through historic photos, vintage pictures & archive film. Browse history in these fascinating old images of a bygone era on my Pinterest board.

Sources

More about West Yorkshire

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