Miscellany

In 1929 the children in St Luke's School were being supplied with dried milk, which prompted this article in the local press: "The members (of the Education Committee at Sowerby Bridge) were surprised to hear that under the subsidiary nourishment scheme the West Riding County Council has supplied nothing but dried milk, the County Medical Officer having a preference for that commodity. Whether there be any special  virtue in the dried artcle or not, local people are undoubtedly more favourable to fresh milk. It certainly seems a strange procedure for tins of dried milk to be sent from the store of the County Council at Wakefield to the village school at Norland, which is supposed to be in the very heart of a milk producing district. The suggestion of the Chairman of the Committee that they should protest against the official action and insist upon fresh milk being supplied to the local children will no doubt have the support of the bulk of the Norland residents." (HXEC 05/02/1929)

For the coronation of George V on 22nd June1911, the celebrations were a combined effort by the Parish Council and Ryburn Golf Club. Sports took place at the golf club in the afternoon, and in the evening a large bonfire was lit on the moor.

"Novel Sports at Norland"

"The members of the Ryburn Golf Club, Norland, and guests had a memorable day yesterday at the Golf House and on the links. Thanks to the President, Mr W A Sutcliffe, a splendid programme of events had been drawn up and prizes provided. Altogether about 160 took part in the rejoicings. (Ed. This seems to be a small number given the population of the village at that time. It looks as if there was not an open invitation to the event.) For the occasion the Golf House had been made gay by the addition of many decorations of red, white and blue bunting, evergreens, flags and the like." 

(HXEC 23/06/1911)

The article then goes on to say that everything went ahead "in spite of the rain", and lists all the winners of the "novel" sport events (inc. lots of golf related activities, some far less serious than others, and a cigarette race, whatever that may be). Unlike the reports of other local sports happening on Coronation Day, the Norland event doesn't seem to have been aimed at children. 

In the evening  the principal attraction in Norland was the huge bonfire and fireworks display on the moor. This had been organised by the Parish Council and probably attracted most of the people in the village. According to newspaper reports it was at 800 feet above sea level, which makes the main path just above the old Intake Quarry the most likely place for it, just about 200 yards from the crossroads. The fire was lit by "four little girls", unfortunately not named in the report, " ...and very soon the huge pile was flashing its signal to distant hills."

Newspaper reports state that from Albert Promenade in Halifax, 8 large bonfires could be seen, whilst from the higher ground of Royles Head, in the west end of Halifax, 25 were visible, including Otley Chevin, Holme Moss and Standedge. 

Norland's fireworks must have been of excellent quality because the reporter, whilst making his way up to Royles Head,  was able to read the exact time on his watch at about 11pm "...from the white flare of a bomb fired in Norland."

(HXEC 23/06/1911)

 The coronation of King George VI took place on Wednesday 12th May 1937. In Norland, once again,  the weather was poor.

"Norland Rejoicings"

Norland was one of the places where the programme was adversely affected by the weather but, by varying the events, it was possible to give both old and young a good time. The field sports were abandonned. Instead there were organised games in St Luke's School, under the direction of Mr Olpen. The children were given a free tea and at night the broadcast of the Empire Premiers' speeches, and that of the King, were listened to with keen interest. A special feature was the torchlight procession through the parish, and on to the moor, where there was a display of fireworks and the bonfire was lighted. The local people thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were also in a good position for seeing the fireworks go up at Crow Wood Park and in Halifax. The fire was lighted by four school children - Barbara Wild (1),  Mildred Taylor, Stanley Bottomley and Joe Waterhouse."(HXEC 13/05/1937) 

(1) 8 years later in April 1945, a Barbara Wild of 14 Sandal Terrace got married in St Luke's Church, probably the same person. At that time she was serving in the WAAF and her husband, LAC William Greenhalgh was in the RAF. Her brother, T E Wild, was the organist. Her father was George "Judd" Wild, who had played football for Halifax Town.

(HXEC 20/04/1945)

 The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place on Tuesday 2nd June 1953, and local celebration events were again hit by poor weather, many being postponed until Saturday 6th June.

At Norland Church School there was a gathering of about 90, and Coun T H Longbottom presided. Members of the Bradford Gilbert and Sullivan Society gave a concert. 

(HXDC&G 08/06/1953)

There is no mention of any sports for the children or distribution of Coronation mugs, the two things I remember from my childhood.

Do any of you have personal memories of Coronation Day in Norland in 1953? TV ownership was not yet common and many people would have been invited to watch the Coronation by neighbours who were lucky enough to have a set.

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Martin Hayes of 13 Pickwood Scar, made the front page of the Halifax Evening Courier on 1st March 1960, having been born the previous day on 29th February. His mother, Dorothy, said that they would celebrate his birthday on 1st March every year. Martin's father, Frank (21), had unfortunately also made news in the Courier two months previously when he was fined £2 at Halifax West Riding Court. He was a bus conductor and had given the start signal to the driver when a woman was still trying to get on to the bus at West Vale. The woman suffered bad bruising to her leg.

"May Day at Norland Schoool was observed on Empire Day (May 24th 1912) by the crowning of the May Queen (Clara Sutcliffe) and a charming programme of old English folk songs was varied with the plaiting of the Maypole by quite little children. A new song, written for the occasion, represented a rumour of a dragon, called The Butterbur, lurking in the clough, but the discovery that it was only a pretty flower was demonstrated in a lively way by holding up its crest of blossom and its parasol leaves. The stately entrance of the Queen under a tasselled canopy, attended by maids of honour and heralds, and her similar departure, was a triumph of orderly beauty and did great credit alike to the children and the teachers who trained them. There are now 180 scholars in the school and the headmaster, Mr G H Barker, may be congratulated both on its growing numbers and the excellent spirit it maintains." (HXG 1st June 1912) 

(ed. Clara Sutcliffe: in the 1911 census she was 10 years old and lived at New Longley. She was the daughter of Marshall (a quarryman) and Sarah Sutcliffe)

In 1781 Martha Wadsworth of Norland fell foul of the Worsted Act and was fined 5s (25p - or approx £48 in today's money) for "reeling false or short yarn".

Leeds Intelligencer 30/10/1781

Waiting for a photo

Waiting for a photo

Waiting for a photo