Harrowing photos take you back to Cross Green in the 1960s

By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 27th Mar 2026, 04:30 BST

This harrowing photo shows a worker being rescued from an 130ft chimney after an accident at a furniture warehouse.

Lance Ash had been trapped for six hours while clearing bricks during the demolition at Mark Rowlands furniture warehouse on East Street in April 1964. The photo is one of nine which make up a mini-gallery of memories from around Cross Green during the 1960s. It was a decade which also featured two wholesale markets on neighbouring sites open on the same day on Pontefract Lane. The images are a mix from West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Watch - Secrets of Leeds Queens Hotel revealed including hidden tunnel LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

This photo from April 19864 shows Lance Ash being rescued from the 130ft chimney at the warehouse.

1. Crpss Green in the 1960s

This photo from April 19864 shows Lance Ash being rescued from the 130ft chimney at the warehouse. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman J.S. Walsh, pictured second from right, opens the new wholesale meat market and abattoir on Pontefract Lane in October 1966, one of two wholesale markets on neighbouring sites that were opened on the same day, the other being a fish, fruit and vegetable market.

2. Cross Green in the 1960s

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman J.S. Walsh, pictured second from right, opens the new wholesale meat market and abattoir on Pontefract Lane in October 1966, one of two wholesale markets on neighbouring sites that were opened on the same day, the other being a fish, fruit and vegetable market. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

On the left is South Accommodation Road, with suspension bridge over the River Aire. Hunslet was located on the other side of the bridge. Numbers 91/93 South Accommodation Road comprise Dunhill's Transport Cafe. John Eaton Street is to the right, number 1 then 3 in the centre and 5 on the right. Pictured in May 1967.

3. Cross Green in the 1960s

On the left is South Accommodation Road, with suspension bridge over the River Aire. Hunslet was located on the other side of the bridge. Numbers 91/93 South Accommodation Road comprise Dunhill's Transport Cafe. John Eaton Street is to the right, number 1 then 3 in the centre and 5 on the right. Pictured in May 1967. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

The start of a row of back-to-back terraced houses on Bridgewater Place pictured in July 1965. A box has been mounted on the left of number 22 for milk deliveries. On the left is a shared outside toilet block and ginnel leading through to Bridgewater Terrace. Visible on the far left is an electricity sub station surrounded by railings

4. Cross Green in the 1960s

The start of a row of back-to-back terraced houses on Bridgewater Place pictured in July 1965. A box has been mounted on the left of number 22 for milk deliveries. On the left is a shared outside toilet block and ginnel leading through to Bridgewater Terrace. Visible on the far left is an electricity sub station surrounded by railings | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

On the left is number 7 John Eaton Street, moving right are 9, 11 and 13. Situated off South Accommodation Road, just before the suspension bridge which carried traffic across to Hunslet. These were through houses with entrances on Bridge View. Pictured in May 1967.

5. Cross Green in the 1960s

On the left is number 7 John Eaton Street, moving right are 9, 11 and 13. Situated off South Accommodation Road, just before the suspension bridge which carried traffic across to Hunslet. These were through houses with entrances on Bridge View. Pictured in May 1967. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Timber Place was situated off Cross Green Lane, near the junction with East Street. Properties on Timber Place are back-to-back and numbers run from 8 to 11, left to right. A motorbike leans against number 10. On the right are outside toilets. Pictured in May 1967.

6. Cross Green in the 1960s

Timber Place was situated off Cross Green Lane, near the junction with East Street. Properties on Timber Place are back-to-back and numbers run from 8 to 11, left to right. A motorbike leans against number 10. On the right are outside toilets. Pictured in May 1967. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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