It was the holiday camp which provided seaside memories for generations of underprivileged Leeds children. Silverdale on the Morecambe Bay coast was opened in 1904 by the Leeds Poor Children’s Holiday Camp Association, providing free holidays for children whose families earned less than £1 per week. It was the vision of Lady Mayoress of Leeds Helen Currer Briggs who recognised that many children in the city had never experienced a holiday or time away from the hardship of poverty. She believed that every child deserved time to play, breathe fresh air, and experience the joy of growing up. Generations of Leeds children would go on to enjoy seaside breaks, building friendships and forging memories to last a lifetime. Despite world wars, political uncertainty and economic challenges, the charity continued its work. It was forced to close only twice in its long history - in 1919, following a fire at the Silverdale site and in 2002, during the UK Foot and Mouth outbreak. 2015 marked a major milestone when the charity celebrated taking its 60,000th child on holiday to Silverdale. The site was sold in 2016 owing to rising operational costs and funding uncertainty. READ MORE: 68 photos you'll only understand if you visited Lineham Farm in Leeds LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
3. Silverdale memories
The typical sort of child from the slums who would go on the holiday camp in Silverdale. | YPN Photo: YPN
4. Silverdale memories
The 10,000th child to be sent for a holiday at Silverdale was presented with a bouquet of flowers at Central Station in 1922. Helen Currer Briggs stands in the midst of the children with the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Fountain. | YPN Photo: YPN
6. Silverdale memories
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Hemingway, greets Carrie Palmer on her return from Silverdale in June 1935. She was the 20,000th child to visit the holiday camp. | YPN Photo: YPN