|
The illustrated talk "Cross Gates Past and Present
"given by Jacki and Bob Lawrence attracted a record fifty three members
and guests to the October meeting of ELHAS.
Jacki and Bob are long time members of the East Leeds History and Archaeology
Society, although this was their first time as presenters. Bob has been
a member almost since the beginning of the society and holds a number
of roles, most recently having been elected as the society's president
and editor of the Leeds History Journal this year. He has a keen interest
in local history and relishes the opportunity to promote the history of
the area. He is also much involved in family history and runs the parish
records search service for the society, which receives requests from all
over the world. Jacki is meetings and events organiser and so is much
more familiar with booking and looking after guest speakers rather than
performing that role herself. However both said they enjoyed the experience,
and judging by the audience reaction they agreed, since the presentation
was most enthusiastically received.
Showing images of Cross Gates from the present day and going back over
the years, the talk began with a shot across Cross Gates roundabout which
is almost on the site of the old village green. Whilst some of the images
shown were most definitely not familiar to the audience (since they dated
from 1890, the very dawn of photography) there were several shots from
the 40's, 50's and 60's which the audience could relate to. The photographs
evoked many memories of buildings and events long gone and generated much
lively discussion by the audience. It was interesting to note as the talk
progressed with views from Station Road and Austhorpe Road, the two main
thoroughfares, how little some of the buildings have changed over the
years . There may have been a change of use, such as the miner's cottages
along Station Road which are now all shops , but the buildings remain
substantially as they were when built in the early 1800's to house the
mine workers from the pits owned by Samuel Wilkes Waud. The history of
the area was really brought to life for the audience by being able to
see the places, as well as listen to the commentary provided. With over
90 images in the presentation, the great variety of shots provided most
people with something recognisable. The talk ended with photographs of
the Optare and Vickers factories, both significant in the lives of Cross
Gates residents in the more recent past. These sites have just received
outline planning permission to be developed for residential purposes,
and so will begin a new chapter for Cross Gates.
The next meeting on Monday 24th November will be a talk
about the new Leeds Museum by Katherine Baxter Archaeology Curator, Leeds
Museums and Galleries.
|