In 1963, the Roxy Cinema in Sowerby Bridge closed after 48 years.

View Historic Sowerby Bridge >>>>>

In 1979, weather closes all roads Lancashire except via Todmorden. Schools also close because of fuel shortages.

-----------

In 1979, fire damaged the library at Ovenden Secondary School.

In 1963, Halifax experienced a long, long winter - sometimes known as the Big Freeze. It was one of the longest and coldest winters on record in the United Kingdom and rivers froze over across the whole of the country. According to one temperature record, which goes back as far as 1659, only two winters (1683 -84 and 1739 -40), were colder than 1962 -63).

For those a bit too young to remember it, to put the era in context, just a couple of months earlier on October 5th 1962, the first James Bond film, ‘Dr. No’, had its London premiere on the same day that The Beatles released their first hit single, ‘Love Me Do’.

Locally, the Big Freeze began on Boxing Day 1962 and lasted until a thaw set in on March 6th 1963.

As the caption on the picture here (almost) states, this was taken on February 2nd 1963,  on Keighley Road just past Causeway Foot. At that point the snow had been blocking the road for over a month and clearly, the snow ploughs had managed to get through. Like all main roads in the area, the width of the road was severely restricted.

One thing I remember about snow in those days is the contrast between how pure and white the snow was when it fell and then how quickly the snow became coated with a layer of soot and then turned absolutely mucky in just a couple of days.

Thanks to Tony Martin

In 1949, licensing hours were extended from 10pm to 10.30pm, except Sundays, between May and July. A similar application was refused in Brighouse

Stump Cross Inn

Also in 1949, Lyndhurst Mansion in Elland was bought by Halifax council for use as a childrens home.

View Historic Elland - Victoria Road >>>>>

A Calderdale Diary

In 1924, Halifax Town drew with Manchester City 2-2 before a crowd of 30,970

In 1650, prisoners from the royalist camp in Heptonstall were nailed to Halifax gibbet.

The Battle of Heptonstall occurred in November 1643 during the First English Civil War at Hebden Bridge and Heptonstall, Yorkshire. During the battle, Colonel Bradshaw, a Parliamentarian commander fended off an attack by Sir Francis Mackworth and the Royalists.

View Historic Heptonstall >>>>>>>