Welcome to Sowerby Bridge and the Ryburn Valley
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Name: Peter wade
E-mail address: labtad@yahoo.com.au
Comments:I would like to contact Harold Beverley, married to Shirley. Last known address somewhere in Ripponden
Saturday, June 28th 2008 - 05:10:54 AM
Name: Barry Jones
E-mail address: barryjones@freeuk.com
Comments:Nice site, brings back memories of SB (left in '77 & moved south). Lived in Rosedale house, west end, for a few years, sad to see it has been demolished. Was born in the front room of 32 Lower Bentley Royd in 1951 when they where the prefabs (my mum still lives in Bentley Royd) so my playground was the cemetary, the rec, Dixie wood, Tunnel top and trainspotting down at the sheds (got a £5 fine for trespassing there one Sunday waiting for the double header to come through, was only 14) In the archives Alex McNee's comment is exactly as I remember,Cyril sands, watching them build the coop bakery up Sowerby new road and even down to the Rum truffles at the Nook, I could have written that myself. I seem to recall once walking across County bridge on raised walkways because the Calder was flowing over the top after heavy rain, my uncles cobblers on the bridge was flooded, last time I saw the shop it was a wine bar but that was a several years ago. I lived in Beechwood for a few years on Bates Avenue, then Margate street then moved up to the smoke, Halifax! Of course I went to Ryburn in the '60's, had a fight on my first day protecting one of my mates and got the cane from Mr Miles (Bonn)had a few slaps round the ears of Johnny Thwaites as well(he was good at that) but my favorite was Papa Lumb, he was my form and history teacher for my last 2 years and I got on well with him. I try to get back at least once a year but how it as changed, when I left it was still a working town but now all the mills have been turned into housing, it is good to see them preserved. Did a pub crawl on my 18th, started at the Royal Oak in Quarry Hill,the west end, and managed to get as far as the Shepherds Rest in Bolton Brow absolutly legless, lots of pubs in Sowerby Bridge in those days, I assume that most of them are closed now in this healthy era, the Puzzle used to be my local. Are the swimming baths still open? used to spend a lot of time there most evenings but the attendent had a habit of throwing chlorine bags in when he wanted to leave early. Had my first kiss in the Essoldo cinema, well nearly, in the dark I missed and felt such a fool, I really fancied her but after that embarresment I could not continue. Names that I remember from my childhood: Brian Garner, Eddy Ayeres, Susan Sperka, Michael Moore, Angela Sharp, Warren Fletcher, David Gray, Danny Whipp, Hazel Brook, Tony Charity, Stuart Hought, Rosemary Mellor, Richard Lodge, Julie Powell, Peter Baraclough and Linda Greenwood to name but a few, I sometimes wonder what are they are doing now.
Thursday, May 29th 2008 - 01:05:49 AM
Name: Sam roberts
Comments:I enjoy this very much
Saturday, May 3rd 2008 - 01:32:03 PM
Name: Sam roberts
Comments:I enjoy this very much
Saturday, May 3rd 2008 - 01:32:01 PM
Name: Jim crossan
E-mail address: crossanjames@hotmail.com
Comments:Hi - I'm trying to ocntact Robin N Burness who stays or stayed in Sowerby Bridge. He is a direct descendant of Mary Kyle Welsh, who was the sister of my wife's grandfather, William Welsh, who was killed in action in 1916. We do not have any photographs and very little background - there may be some with Mary's family. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks Jim
Saturday, April 19th 2008 - 07:54:25 PM
Name: Monica Sekulka
E-mail address: monica.sekulka@exxonmobil.com
Comments:I was born just above Triangle village on the Norland side of the valley - went to Triangle Primary School in the 50s and then to Ryburn Secondary Modern School in the 60s. I moved to the U.S. in the 70s and now live in Houston, Texas (since 1982). I have fond memories of Sowerby Bridge - the old market place and I even remember when we had 2 cinema houses (the Roxy and the Essoldo)those were the days. I do miss the hills - Houston is very flat.
Wednesday, December 19th 2007 - 11:56:35 AM
Name: catherine southan
E-mail address: colhaighscpt@mcmedia.com.au
Comments:hi i left sowerby bridge in 1969 as a 11 year old to emigrate to australia. would love to hear from anyone who knew me
Tuesday, November 27th 2007 - 12:42:15 AM
Name: Jeri Pryor
E-mail address: Miss_Belle49@Yahoo.com
Comments:I live in the USA state of Michigan, my Great Grandfather John Whitehead,he was a cabinet maker and came to Michigan Calhoun county in 1909, born in SB 1871, Son of William Whitehead Married to Lilly Fawthrop born 1874 daughter of John Fawthrop Sarah Ann Whitely My Great Great Aunt was Alice Whitehead Lowe I am in hopes someone will read this post and have some information on my family, and if I am really blessed find some realatives. Thank You Jeri
Thursday, August 30th 2007 - 10:26:29 PM
Name: antonio Fiorentino
E-mail address: filomenafiorentino@libero.it
Comments:I livedin sowerby went to Ryburn school what a great country. I am from Naples Italy but I must say long live ENGLAND To my ex friends ring +390818201612.
Wednesday, June 20th 2007 - 09:35:28 PM
Name: Phil Watkins
E-mail address: prwatk@aol.com
Comments:I love the place I am from South Wales and I booked a holiday with shire cruisers. Excellent town I wish I could live there. Lots to do and I recommend tyhe Hobbit to anyone
Sunday, June 3rd 2007 - 11:11:16 AM
Name: Brian Shoesmith
E-mail address: shoesmith4173@shaw.ca
Comments:Moved to Toronto, Canada in 1957 after serving in the Duke of Wellingtons Regt. on National Service. Now live in Vancouver, BC. Have visited SB many times over the years, 2006 was the last time. Will probably continue to visit until I am unable to. Grew up during the second world war, have lots of memories of those times. Anyone wanting to remenice do not hesitate to email me.
Monday, May 28th 2007 - 06:54:24 AM
Name: Hildegard Armitage ( Keenan )
E-mail address: hildegardA@hotmail.de
Comments:It brought back many memories visiting your site. I lived in Lower Bentley Royd as a teenager before moving to Germany in 1981. Thanks, and regards to all who still may remember me
Saturday, May 12th 2007 - 10:58:02 PM
Name: Jill Fairbank
E-mail address: cheyboots2002@yahoo.com
Comments:Great site! Hope to visit your lovely village in the near future. My earliest ancestor came to the North American area from Sowerby in 1632 and I am looking forward to seeing the land of his birth.
Friday, April 13th 2007 - 11:28:11 PM
Name: Linda pearson
E-mail address: lindapearson64@msn.com
Comments:I have just spent the day looking round the cemetries of Sowerby and Cottonstones. I have never lived there but my mum was born in Norland ,and also lived in Triangle, they used to call my mum fairy of the hills. My grandfather and great grandfathers used to work in the mills round the area , my grandfathers name was Fred Riley, he met my grandmother in Sowerby . My grandmother was called Lucy Thomas , she moved to Sowerby from Middlesborugh, she was a servant to a mill owner. They moved away to Pudsey where I was born ,for work reasons , I have fond memories of visits ther with my mother . I am researching my ancesters ,so I have lots of reasons to keep visiting. Linda
Sunday, February 4th 2007 - 12:13:28 AM
Name: Thomas Wood
E-mail address: vena-tom@shaw.ca
Comments:I believe I am the great grandson of Nathaniel Wood of the Wood Brothers Engineers. My grandfather was Thomas Liston Wood, who I believe lived for some time in Australia. I am Thomas Frank Wood and I live in Canada. I would love to visit your area and wonder who would be able to give me some information about my family.Can anyone help me? Thanking you in advance, I remain, Thomas F.Wood
Thursday, January 18th 2007 - 07:42:02 PM
Name: mancmonkey
E-mail address: mancmonkey@hotmail.co.uk
Comments:Top sorted and defo buzzin fella, enjoyed!!
Tuesday, August 22nd 2006 - 01:51:15 PM
Name: Hazel Gallimore
E-mail address: hazel@egallimore.freeserve.co.uk
Comments:Still looking for any information on Madge Smith nee Beeby a pen pal from 1946-1953 adress Oak Avenue, Albert Rd Sowerby Bridge Thanking You Hazel Nee Brown Gallimore
Sunday, June 25th 2006 - 04:47:46 PM
Name: graham
E-mail address: frombubblegumtosky@googlemail.com
Homepage URL: http://www.myspace.com/wileyrocker
Comments:nice site :P
Wednesday, June 7th 2006 - 01:20:51 PM
Name: Sue Lovett
E-mail address: suelovett@blueyonder.co.uk
Comments:Born in Halifax in 1950 and then lived in Montague St and later Chapel St, Sowerby Bridge for the next seven years. Then moved to the South East but still a frequent visitor to Yorkshire. As a five year old went to the Ellison Memorial C.E. School - does anybody know if the school still exists? Have a class photo taken 2nd April 1955 - anybody else out there a pupil around that time - we were a handsome bunch!!
Saturday, June 3rd 2006 - 09:57:03 PM
Name: MAGA
E-mail address: MAGA@YAHOO.COM
Comments:I PASS HERE OOO GUYS HOMEBOY
Thursday, May 11th 2006 - 10:23:42 PM
Name: antonette howe
E-mail address: wkd_lass_2005@hotmail.co.uk
Tuesday, May 2nd 2006 - 05:11:25 PM
Name: Gerard Hilton
E-mail address: gerardhilton1@hotmail.co.uk
Comments:Fond memories of Sowerby Bridge from the 1950s
Sunday, April 30th 2006 - 07:35:13 PM
Name: Christopher Edward Ryburn
E-mail address: cryburn01@sprintpcs.com
Comments:The best to one and and all.
Sunday, April 9th 2006 - 06:01:40 AM
Name: john greenwood
E-mail address: jsg@pris.ca
Comments:Hi, From Northern British Columbia. I left Sowerby Bridge as a young teen in or around 1957. As I grown ever older I am thinking back to the days when I wandered the hills and canals and hidden places of the area. I had a particularly fond interest in the railway system. I recall playing in the railway tunnel, I believe called the Cemetery Tunnel. No one back then could tell me when it was constructed and how. I would be interested in knowing, strange how these memories continue after such a long time. Thanks and looking forward to hearing back. JG
Sunday, March 26th 2006 - 03:46:47 AM
Name: Malcolm Street - Administrator
E-mail address: info@sowerby-bridge.org.uk
Homepage URL: http://www.ryburnvalley.org.uk
Comments:I didn't intend archiving the old messages so soon, but spammers found the address and loads of junk leading you to Belgian sites which were mainly pornographic. So I've had to create a new guestbook. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Wednesday, February 22nd 2006 - 02:59:34 PM
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