Colne Valley, Huddersfield - 1950's

Colour video of the Colne Valley area of Huddersfield in the 1950's.
All credit goes to the original content maker (Lucy Fairbank) and the producers of this version who can be found at the end of the video.

[@sheldontaylor82]

OMG thank you sooo much for sharing this. My Dad, Grandad and Granny and our ancestors all lived in Slaithwaite for many many years. At the time of this film my Dad would have been a young teenager, and it fills me with such joy to watch this film knowing that this is how he saw Slaithwaite and the Colne Valley all those years ago. My Grandad, George Taylor, of 47 Longlands Road, Slaithwaite , was a singer in both the Colne Valley Choir and the Huddersfield Choral Society. Sadly Dad died in 2008, my Grandad in 1991, and my Granny in 1979. I would have loved to have shared this video with them all, I bet they would have had so many memories of the scenes shown in this film. Thank you so much once again, it has brought many tears to my eyes being able to see my family heritage and history through this film!

[@MrGriff20]

Fantastic filming reminded me of my Grandad's old house overlooking the railway near Slaithwaite with his outside earth closet toilet and tin bath!

[@ray11140]

Life was lived at a slower pace. Times were hard but I for one was a much more happy person. I watch these films from times past with a tear in my eye. Life moves on but that does not mean we have to like it. More mod cons but many people sadly are too angry. My parents and I were from Scape with one Coop and a farm shop for missed items. On Sunday it was a walk down to Outlane if you were short of a grocery or two. I do however forget that life as a child was different to being an adult. Such fond memories.

[@acampbell8614]

I was born in 1963 and the valley hadn't changed much by the 70s when I remember it. Apart from the mill chimneys, which no longer smoked by then. By the 80s, there was talk of the canal being restored and in the 90s, the fill we see here being dumped into the canal was being removed.

[@traceyrushworth1134]

Lovely film and awesome to see my dad, his brothers with my grandma and great grandparents playing in their garden at the end of the film

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Played some music in a care home in Bradley today and a nice gent in his 90s was chatting afterwards. When I said I’d been at Colne Valley High school in the 1990s he was excited as he’d been a teacher there from 1958. I asked if he’d seen this film. He had no idea so I brought this up on my phone. Found him the footage at CVHS about a year or two before he started. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, the memories etc. He then started telling me about the going’s on. Straight away he pointed out the headmaster (Mr Butcher) and how he employed him. Then he was saying the chap in the right of the group (Mr Fielding) went for the headmaster’s job and it caused a massive stink when he didn’t get it. What Miss Fairbanks captured and the Baxter family of Linthwaite did to preserve these films is of such service. Oh to step back for just one day, buy a sandwich and watch the folks go about their lives.

[@angelakeay8890]

I loved watching this and shall watch it again. I left this area 50 years ago and it was wonderful seeing all the places, many of which were so small, I had never heard of them. My village was Meltham - probably under the Holme Valley, not the Colne Valley - but I had relatives in Slaithwaite and Pole Moor. I has been a joy to watch.

[@kevinchamberlain5978]

I don't know the area at all, but I've just watched it all the way through in one go because it's really atmospheric and evocative. And also nice to find a film like this where the music is appropriate and sensible, not irritating and in-yer-face.

[@nickbannister775]

These films are living history, the standard of filmmaking is outstanding when considering the equipment back then. My grandfather himself a professional photographer in Fleet Street 30/40/50s needed an entire studio to produce decent photographs.

[@alexgibbons7083]

What an amazing glimpse into history. This is absolutely beautiful, I can't stop watching it. Thank you for sharing and my love goes out to Lucy Fairbanks for adventuring out and recording this footage. How wonderful :)

[@godwins7845]

Wow Awesome, such rich culture and community, Something England severely lacks now thanks to globalisation. I remember walking to slaithwaite from Honley with my three brothers in 1974 wow where we lucky to live in such lush county side, How blessed we where then.

[@mrsjulieb7011]

Miss Fairbanks used to teach my nan in the 1930s at Clough School. She said she was always filming stuff. Its the 1st time i've seen any of her films. Love it!

[@mrsjulieb7011]

@Pansy Potter Whoopee. What has Normanton got to do with Colne Calley? Err nothing you pansy.

[@joysedgwick812]

I have so enjoyed the film, wonderfully nostalgic! I was born in Huddersfield in the 50s but had family in Marsden. I haven’t been back for many years, given the comments I may choose to keep my memories unsullied.

[@christhornley1664]

Very interesting seeing these old films of the Colne Valley. I've done quite a bit of walking in this lovely area, not too much has changed, except around Scammonden and Deanhead, where the M62 now cuts a swathe across the Pennines and forms the embankment of Scammonden Water. The church and village of Deanhead are still there, just above west shoreline of the reservoir. I love the austere Pennine architecture and all the drystone walls, it's an integral part of the landscape, it complements the landscape.

[@andrewwhitehead3862]

WOW. what a brillant piece of film you have . loved every minute if only life was still like this today.Thank you for sharing. .

[@Maasterstead]

Can't wait to get back on the bike and visit some of these historic places. I must have missed them previously. Thank you for the great video.

[@LG-kl3co]

And then they dug it out and re-opened it !

[@themadwoman1]

An absolutely wonderful video,seeing children playing as they used to in a most wonderful valley and seeing the past and some still present people and such a beautiful valley,sadly I am only a comer in and my 32 years here have not been long enough for me but this video tells me that I came to a most wonderful place.

[@philrobinson8461]

A real trip down memory lane

[@medici234]

Mi dad wer born i Marsden (1925) ah were born in t'bridge (Milnsbridge) (1966). Fantastic video, I'm lucky enough and old enough to remember the valley a little bit like this before everything changed in the 80's. Saying that I wouldn't go back to them times, I've got used to having an inside toilet and not using a tin bath.

[@juliawitt3813]

😂😂

[@pamwatson5905]

Lived in t' bridge in the 80's. Hard times. Dark and damp during the north/ south divide but wonderful and resilient people.

[@stevieb9699]

Outstanding quality of cine photography, and love the Brass band music too! Many thanks

[@robertclegg8560]

This is just a classic video of what that neck of the woods around Golcar, Milnsbridge & Slaithwaite looked like 60 years ago. I enjoy doing a lot of walking up and down the Colne Valley and my camera comes with me, even though I live in Barnsley, so I've taken lots of photos of the area over the last 20 years. there's a lot of these places that still look the same, with the exception of new windows and a lick of paint.More like this please. Wonderful video.

[@jesus-9542]

All of the vehicles in this video just look so beautiful. I really wish there were more still around

[@utt1229]

WOW Wellhouse School in Golcar,Im their with my mum.Can,t believe it. Whoever did this thanks.

[@michelleanemily]

This is amazing and really needs a new updated one.... such a beauty and it still is, we are lucky to live in such a beautiful place.. just more houses now..

[@garethh6962]

I live in Colne Valley now but rather have then. Great video

[@oakashthorn5714]

Why is there a lot of Muslims there now?

[@marcusashwell8314]

Happy days walking to school through slowit started at slowit nash 1958 before going to colney valley high in 1 964.

[@TheBadsanta18]

so many memories there. I loved the images of the ruined mill that was never completed in the Scammonden valley. Happy days there.

[@bobbyshaftoe409]

Fantastic video!!!! I'm familiar with the ruined mill as I walk passed it when I do the Elland Circular walk. I bet not many people know it's there as it's completely overgrown/dominated by trees (wouldn't like to be there alone after dark,if you know what I mean).

[@TheBadsanta18]

I was told a story that the builder threw himself from the top because the local landowners wouldn't give him an access road. Don't know if it were true?

[@stevetaylor5510]

What a fantastic video thank you.

[@DouglasAirey]

Worked on the chimney in the 1960,s the top fell off Killing three men. i worked for Tinkers Steeple Jacks of Huddersfield on leave from the Merchant Navy to get Married. Went back on the train to Liverpool one Monday Morning going bye Slaithwaite and the Chimney it was still intaked when i got to New York got a letter from my mom saying it add all gone down. Sad , i was Lucky .

[@eliideedit4447]

I want my ash's scattering in the river colne on kings mill lane where i grew up in Aspley on robinson St..i used to play in the river as a young en...

[@spinynorman8217]

My Grandad born 1910 a Walkden surname (Colne valley?) and mother Holdsworth (Golcar) surname served Brooke Motors his whole career. If anyone is interested there is a fascinating film of Huddersfield in 1972 starring James Mason called Home James on KZbin...it is most interesting.

[@rnaylor2935]

29.29 left to right Headmistress Miss Norris, Mr. Fielding, Headmaster ET ? Butcher, Mr. Menzies and the other Mr. Fielding.. movie taken before September 1958 as the Gym by the playing fields was not completed;

[@a11csc]

i have had that many guesses in my head as to which brass band i gave up and had a pint lol

[@ic3po317]

Amazing footage of days gone by. (Its a shame the band only knew one song). But still awesome footage!

[@neilbooth9397]

Very interesting seeing them old Buidings that aren’t there anymore,only been built on now, There’s hardly any green belt left

[@mrscampi62]

Very enjoyable! I think I recognized one of the hockey "guards of honour" at the wedding as Michael Hallas. I don't suppose anyone can confirm can you?

[@magicdexter3469]

I'm sure my late father talked about Michael Hallas. Peter Dibb was also a hockey player at that time

[@lindsaypeterholden2701]

Oh Yes,What a Wonderful Film.

[@lindsaypeterholden2701]

I think my Music Teacher at Saddleworth School was the Organist at Marsden Church.Mr.Bell.Fabulous footage of the Trains at Tunnel End.

[@Rockstreet-zk2ue]

love it!!

[@fillazur]

This was filmed when I was growing up in Marsden.

[@andrewloughran4727]

Great memories

[@jlprestige4478]

The church is where me and my mates blaze up a Zoot.

[@ellagamer6700]

I have been naming like some of these buildings like the monsoon chopsticks and the commercial it’s weird seeing it in different colours and having buses running through it really weird....

[@Parknest]

This is almost GoPro quality. I'd love to got back in time and take my GoPro with me. Imagine the footage I could capture. I went to the Colne Valley Museum in 1981 on a school trip. Are there any descendants or relatives of Lucy Fairbanks around who could give us a further insight?

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

05:30 Lionel Ritchie!

[@SavannahRoseDI]

to think, there was only 4 billion people in the world back then, it had only taken the span of one life to double the world population, its frightening

[@KingHumphrey]

The world population in 1955 was 2.8 billion. We've just gone over 8 billion a few days ago. I'm not sure we'll reach with the way things are going to reach 9 billion.

[@johnriggs4929]

​@@KingHumphreyThey certainly won't if Bill Gates has his way.

[@garywinterbottom6073]

I was born n bred in colne valley.

[@ThatTallGuy0]

Now look at it

[@Maasterstead]

Everyone seems to be either 8 months old, 8 years, or 80. Did we miss our teens back then :)

[@TechFromYorkshire]

I know what you mean. The amount of people just milling about in the countryside is amazing to see as well - the car ended all that i'm sure.

[@karldunning8389]

There was no such thing as a teenager till the mid/late 50s Steve. They donned a cloth cap at 14, got a job in't mill or down't pit, smuurked roll-ups, and were deemed a man. Then Blackboard Jungle hit the cinema screens, the teenager was born, and The World has been in tatters since.....

[@acampbell8614]

They were all at work.

[@richardhancock2771]

Used to live in Slaithwaite

[@richardhancock2771]

Who's brass band is it plz

[@Daft_Ideas]

Andrew any chance you can email me a copy of this?

[@jezzyby47]

+Nigel Coxon - download it from YT

[@Daft_Ideas]

+jezzyby47 resolution is rubbish when I do that, hoping original is better...

[@keithbill310]

I live there

[@a11csc]

awesome and still going lol

[@jasonsamuels3522]

Slaithwaite, a proper northern textile mill town back in the day, just like everywhere else up north though it has been decimated and sold out..

[@TechFromYorkshire]

Harsh mate, Slaithwaite’s undergone a bit of a renaissance in recent years.

[@__Joe]

22:47 marsden

[@grahamlunn8767]

Is that linthwaite band

[@DIYPanda1]

Marsden Silver Band, pops up for a second right at the end

[@gazza9463]

Unspoilt West Yorkshire.

[@bellastown]

Hmmm. Question of copyright here. Colne Valley Museum used to sell this DVD. Suppose they won't be making any money out of this video?

[@KarmasAbutch]

There’s always one miserable sod

[@juliawitt3813]

I was brought up in Huddersfield , and have lived all around the world. Last 30 years in S. Africa....where was I going to see this except on You Tube ..... ??? Seriously , get a grip !!!