I believe knowledge should be shared. It is the past that has shaped all our lives.
Copies of this website are available to be seen at Airedale Community Centre Library.
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Barbara's Web Site 
Hi Alison
Pleased you liked my Blog.Do you still live in Airedale?
Barbara
Hi Barbara. My father lived in Airedale as a boy, he was a miner before joining the Royal Engineers and serving in WW2. He was only 19 when he was evacuated from Dunkirk. My mum was from Berkshire, they lived in Castleford for some years after getting married and used to take the youth club from Holy Cross on camping trips. They eventually moved back down here to Berkshire and that’s where we’ve grown up. His brother Maurice, on the Roll of Honour, was a bit older than him, his daughter Jean still lives in the area but she was only a very young girl when Maurice died.
Hi Alison
My granddaughter lives in Berkshire.
B.
Hi Barbara. Have just found your site after searching for information of St. Ives Well. I was born and brought up in a small cottage at the bottom of Willowdene lane, Newtown, opposite Raines Farm and played (quite safely in the early 50’s) around the well and also paddled in Bennys beck. Also reading of the Almshouses was interesting as my great, great, great grandfather Thomas Cunningham lived in St.Nicholas Almshouse and died there on 3rd March 1863 (I have copy death certificate) My maternal grandparents also lived in Robsons Almshouses. My maternal great grandfather was a farm labourer to the Fox family at Fairy Hill Farm and my grandmother was born in a farm cottage there. Although I dont live in the area now it is so familiar to me and the stories that my grandmother told me.
Hi Carol
Thanks for your comment.
Barbara
Hi Barbara
My grandparents lived in Smiths cottages Fryston , although my grandad passed away in 1964 , his name Bill Bullock ,married to Edith Bullock , my nana , she worked in the pit canteen , always remember her going very early in the morning , I had a auntie Mary Allen who lived just up from the chip shop , she was my grandads aunt , her brother being Jim Bullock who wrote a book Or 2 Bowers row , and them and us interesting reading , My father who was Barry Bullock was in the forces so we came over for holidays , loved fryston always took to Mrs Milner across the road , visiting the fletchers just round the corner , sliding down the stack on way to the farm , having chips and scratching from the fish shop, watching the steam trains go by opposite aunty Mary’s , lots of childhood memories
Hi Sharron
I have read Jimmy Bullock’s book. It is excellent. Miners had a very dangerous job. My Grandfather worked at Wheldale. One of my Great Grandfathers was killed down Glasshoughton Colliery due to a fall of stone.
Just home from a fortnight in hospital which is I am late replying.
Barbara
Sharron, do you recall Pete Bullock being mentioned.
I think he was Jim’s brother, he was a deputy at Fryston and served in the R.A.F during the war.
I believe he was awarded a medal for going on to the wing of a plane to extinguish an engine fire whilst crossing the channel.
Gerard.
Hi Barbara, just to let you know my lovely mummy passed in August last year. She was born on North Street. She was Kathleen Gilliver. I think you knew her. I know you knew Mary Maxwell, her friend. Any information you can give me would be most appreciated. I have a photo with my grandma, Ester Hannah, mum, Mary and our Betty taken in Blackpool. As you can imagine I am devastated. Much love. X
BARBARA
Hi Katherine
My condolences. to lose a mother is devastating.
I remember going to your Grandmother’s house with Beryl Rhodes. I was about 10 and we were going to Castleford Baths. Kathleen gave us some bread and jam because we were going straight from school.
Take care.
Love Barbara