A line of washing stretches across the narrow entrance to Bell Lane. The dwelling in the foreground is number 7 Barker's Place. Timber fencing panels lean against a wall beside a sidecar parked in the yard. Pictured in April 1960.placeholder image
A line of washing stretches across the narrow entrance to Bell Lane. The dwelling in the foreground is number 7 Barker's Place. Timber fencing panels lean against a wall beside a sidecar parked in the yard. Pictured in April 1960. | West Yorkshire Archive Service

Beloved photos take you back to Bramley at the dawn of the 1960s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 21st Mar 2025, 10:12 GMT

These brilliant photos celebrate a year in the life of Bramley at the dawn of a new decade.

The gallery focuses on life in the west Leeds suburb in 1960 and showcases shops, landmarks and well travelled streets which are sure to evoke memories for a generation of residents. The images are published courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service, which collects and looks after the unique documentary heritage of the region dating from the 12th century to the present day - more than 800 years of local history. It also runs Catablogue, an online blog dedicated to preserving the past, serving the present and protecting the future. READ MORE: Unseen photos chart of a golden age of Leeds pub culture LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Stone built properties situated in the cobbled Hobson's Yard off Upper Town Street, and numbering from left to right, 10 to 4. Dustbins and cardboard boxes are piled up outside number 8. A van is parked on the cobbled yard with the name Abbotts (Caterers) Ltd. of 210 Town Street, Bramley, painted on the side. 'Weddings and Parties catered for'. Pictured in March 1960.

7. Bramley in 1960

Stone built properties situated in the cobbled Hobson's Yard off Upper Town Street, and numbering from left to right, 10 to 4. Dustbins and cardboard boxes are piled up outside number 8. A van is parked on the cobbled yard with the name Abbotts (Caterers) Ltd. of 210 Town Street, Bramley, painted on the side. 'Weddings and Parties catered for'. Pictured in March 1960. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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A view of Bywater Row at the junction with Broad Lane. These are through-by-light dwellings seen here from the rear. The end property on the left is numbered 203 Broad Lane. The entrance to the Black Lion Public House is situated right. At the left of the background, part of Wellington Mills is visible with its 50 yard high chimney once nick named 'The Duke'. Woollen and worsted manufacturer, W.E. Yates Ltd, were in business here from as far back as 1882 and had a world wide reputation with agencies in 26 countries in the 1930s. The original mill sited here was burned down in May 1889, and it was rebuilt on five storeys.

8. Bramley in 1960

A view of Bywater Row at the junction with Broad Lane. These are through-by-light dwellings seen here from the rear. The end property on the left is numbered 203 Broad Lane. The entrance to the Black Lion Public House is situated right. At the left of the background, part of Wellington Mills is visible with its 50 yard high chimney once nick named 'The Duke'. Woollen and worsted manufacturer, W.E. Yates Ltd, were in business here from as far back as 1882 and had a world wide reputation with agencies in 26 countries in the 1930s. The original mill sited here was burned down in May 1889, and it was rebuilt on five storeys. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Very old properties in Ebenezer Place with a rather confusing numbering system. The central dwelling is number 1, but is perhaps number 1 Ellis Yard which is at the rear. On the right the three storey dwellings alternate with through properties addressed Lower Town Street, and only number 4 is part of Ebenezer Place (on the left of the drain pipe). Pictured in March 1960.

9. Bramley in 1960

Very old properties in Ebenezer Place with a rather confusing numbering system. The central dwelling is number 1, but is perhaps number 1 Ellis Yard which is at the rear. On the right the three storey dwellings alternate with through properties addressed Lower Town Street, and only number 4 is part of Ebenezer Place (on the left of the drain pipe). Pictured in March 1960. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Stone works premises in Ashlea Street, number 11. A builder, James Ward Bennett operated from here, he also made property repairs. A variety of ladders lean against the back walls of houses in Goodson's Row. Pictured in April 1960.

10. Bramley in 1960

Stone works premises in Ashlea Street, number 11. A builder, James Ward Bennett operated from here, he also made property repairs. A variety of ladders lean against the back walls of houses in Goodson's Row. Pictured in April 1960. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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A view of the junction of Bellmount Grove. A woman can be seen walking along Bell Lane on the left. The stone cottages are from the left, numbers 78, 76 and 74 Bell Lane. A gas street lamp stands at the entrance to Daisy Hill outside number 72 Bell Lane. On the far right number 1 Bellmount Grove can be partially seen.

11. Bramley in 1960

A view of the junction of Bellmount Grove. A woman can be seen walking along Bell Lane on the left. The stone cottages are from the left, numbers 78, 76 and 74 Bell Lane. A gas street lamp stands at the entrance to Daisy Hill outside number 72 Bell Lane. On the far right number 1 Bellmount Grove can be partially seen. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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