From: Mike Horne
Email: mike@jhorne62.freeserve.co.uk
Date: Fri, 16 Mar
2007 20:04
Subject: Cross Gates
railway station footbridge
Hi Graham. I thought that I would let
you know that the footbridge at Cross Gates railway station
is the latest structure to be demolished. It is now in two
pieces on the ends of the platforms that have been fenced
off. It is a great shame that this piece of east Leeds heritage
could not have been repaired & restored. It must have
cost more to have it demolished than to have restored it.
Just like the old Colton school, it was left to decay, and
eventually it was considered an eyesore, and suitable fodder
for demolition.
It is odd that Garforth railway station had a replacement
footbridge built some years ago to replace the original one.
This was built nearer the main road bridge than the one at
Cross Gates was to the ring road bridge, and yet the authorities
argued that the footbridge at Cross Gates was unnecessary
because it was near to the main road bridge. It does not make
much sense !
I bet there are many people that remember standing on this
footbridge as children, and watching steam trains pass by
(just like myself)
Regards
Mike
From: Ian Wilson
Email: igwilson@ntlworld.com
Date: Fri, 11 Nov
2005 15:06
Subject: Photographs
Hi,
Some fascinating historical information on this site. i particularly
like some of the old photographs.
Following some good feedback from the Whitkirk web site, I
thought some of the visitors to this site might like to look
at a collection of more recent photos (old photos of the future
if you like!) of Temple Newsam Park, and several other Yorkshire
landmarks. They are available for viewing here :
www.photoboxgallery.com/WhitkirkPhotography
Keep the site live!
Ian.
From: Mike Horne
Email: mike@jhorne62.freeserve.co.uk
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005
16:59
Subject: Colton school
Hi Graham.
I managed to get around to reading the books on Colton old
primary school, and Colton Institute. They made quite interesting
reading. It is good to hear about other people's memories
of the institute.
I had forgotten about the open cast mining in the fields opposite
the school on Colton Road East.
There was a photo of Miss Duxbury (headmistress from 1958
to 1974), and a Mrs Hill (can not remember her). Also, a photo
of the spire and cross on the roof of the school.
Best regards
Mike Horne
From: Mike Horne
Email: mike@jhorne62.freeserve.co.uk
Date: Monday, July
4, 2005 19:03
Subject: New houses
on old school site
Hi Graham. I notice that the new houses
on the site of the old Colton school are now well underway.
Looking at the notice board at what is planned for the site,
I can not help wondering what "family" has half
a million pounds to spend on a house, and why would they want
to have to share a small amount of land with three other neighbours
with similar large houses? If I had such vast amounts of money
to squander on property, I would at least want my own land
space around my house. It seems poor value for money!
Also, why would you require four bathrooms in your house (as
this was also shown on the noticeboard) - unless the bedroom
is en suite ?
It would be in bad taste if they were called "The Old
School Houses" or "School Mews" (I agree with
Paul on that matter)
Best regards
Mike Horne
From: Paul Amatt
Email: withheld
Date: Sunday, June
12, 2005 22:27
Subject: Colton
Me and my partner have lived in Colton
for 5-6 years, and both love living here, but it is very sad
that a greedy developer has started building houses on the
site of the old Village School. I hope the developer does
not have the cheek to call this site the old Village School
or something like that. There are far too many houses in Colton
as it is, this site would have been better served as a green
space as mentioned by others on this site. It could even have
been a community garden.
Also something needs to be done about Sainsburys car park,
it gets so busy now we have Argos and Next. Any ideas?
From: Mike Horne
Email: mike@jhorne62.freeserve.co.uk
Date: Thursday, May
26, 2005 19:40
Subject: Colton school
memories
Hi. I was interested to read about
Mike Jackson's memories of Colton school, and that his mother
was one of the dinner ladies. I had left the school in 1962.
Did the school use the Institute on Meynell Road for a dining
room (like when I attended)or had they built an annexe nearer
the school?
The headmistress was a Miss Duxbury (not sure if it is correct
spelling). Mr.Greaves was deputy head. Infants were taught
by Mrs.Backhouse or Mrs Oliver. The juniors had Mrs Storr,
who used part of the Institute as a classroom (when it was
not used for dining facilities). I can't remember all the
dinner ladies, but I am sure that there was a Mrs.Makin, and
a Mrs.Teale.
It all seems like ancient history now !
Best regards
Mike Horne
From: Mike Jackson
Email: mikej@btinternet.com
Date: Monday, May
23, 2005, 20.21
Subject: Colton School
pictures
Like many correspondents, I too am
sad that Colton School has been knocked down. I went there
from 1964 to 1969 and my late Mum was School Dinner Lady in
charge for the same period (and later). Remember Mrs. Jackson??
I've posted some pictures of the school on its last legs (May
2004) on the Whitkirk web site http://www.whitkirk.com
I've got the original recording of the speeches made on the
school's Centenary celebrations (I ran the sound system on
the day) and I daily use the commemorative mug that was given
to us at the time (just about illegible now, after 35 years
washing).
Mike
From: Graham(coltonvillage.com)
Email:
Date: Thursday, April
28, 2005, 12.35
Subject: Troon House
Help required- does anybody know where
Troon House is (or was) in Colton?
Thank you.
From: Mike Horne Email:
mike@jhorne62.freeserve.co.uk
Date: Saturday, February
5, 2005 22:13
Subject: Colton old
school
Hi. I was sad to hear of the demolition
of old Colton primary school, and have been to see the site
a few weeks ago.
I think that it is diabolical that the objectors did not get
much chance to save the buildings from demolition. It seems
to be the same old story in any place, about plans for certain
areas, and old buildings that are "in the way of so called
progress" Why did it take 13 years (since the closure)
for the owners to let it slowly decay. There must have been
some form of preservation order on the old school, and in
order to bypass this system, the building was left to rot.
Then when the building finally got in to such a state, I suppose
that some people were "pleased to see it demolished",
as it had become an eyesore!
I would like to have seen it renovated, and put in to use
for the people in the community to enjoy. It would have been
quite a novelty to have one of the original buildings of Colton
to have been given a second lease of life.
It is alright people going on about old buildings having potential
asbestos problems, but these can usually be remedied, surely?
Anyone can build up modern housing complexes, but I bet that
they would not stand the test of time that the old Colton
School building did, or look as distinctive (as it did up
to 1992)!
Anyway, at least I have my 1960/62 memories of my time there
(before moving to Suffolk), and also the mug (c/w logo)and
a b/w photo of it, that I bought at its closure in 1992.
Best regards
Mike Horne, Leeds 12
From: Peter Smith
Email: Pvhsmith@aol.com
Date: Thursday, February
3, 2005 12:37
Subject: Colton School,
a former Pupil Teacher
I am a grandson, born in Clacton on
Sea, Essex 1928, of one Fred Ovenden;my mother, Dorothea Smith
, was a daughter of his...he had another daughter Mary Ovenden,
who later married someone called Pett(notorious for creating
the character "Jane" in the Daily Mirror) and ason,
Donald.I cannot trace him(Fred) on the 1901 Census, although
I believe he was a teacher in a Church School at either Abbots
Bromley or Rugeley in Staffordshire.I have come across a reference
to a Fred Ovenden in the 1881 census, stating he was born
in Yorkshire. I know that his widow died in Barnsley in 1936.
I have a book in my possession with a certificate in it saying
it was presented to Fred Ovenden, as a Pupil teacher, by the
Leeds and District Pupil Teachers' Prize Scheme Association;
the certificate has a date of January 31st 1880.
I have another book with a certificate stating that it was
presented to Mr Fred Ovenden of Colton School by the Staffordshire
Board of Church Education for 17 years of service to the Church.
There is no date.
Can anyone tell me why the Staffordshire Board should refer
to him as of Colton School ? Is there a record of Pupil Teachers
or Teachers at Colton School? Any information would be very
welcome.
Many thanks, Peter Smith
From: Bob King Email:
bob.king@esp.co.nz
Date: Thursday, December
16, 2004 23:50
Subject: mycolton.com
Hi Graham,
Thanks for the information on the Colton Site, it is interesting.
Just by chance looking thru. old papers I found a letter written
to me by Godfather Herbert Haigh, when both of us were serving
in Germany in WW11. Herbert was the Colton Postman, but I
haven't got a clue what happened to him once he got demobbed
and whether he came back to the village. My Dad was the village
Policeman and I was born at the Police House which I think
is now a private house called "Hawthorn Cottage"
or "Hawthorn House", I know it was quite close to
Templenewsum.
It is many years since I was back in the village, but you
can't deny a man his birthright and since I was born in the
village I'll always be a Colton Lad.
40 years in New Zealand hasn't taken the Yorkshire out of
this bloke, I love being a Kiwi, but I still confound the
natives with my Yorkshire Brogue.
Regards Bob King
From: Hazel Ramejkis
Email: mattsgirlkirkby@yahoo.com
Date: Saturday, December
18, 2004 14:45
Subject: Primary School
Hi Graham, reading through the letters
on Mycolton site I see that the old primary school features
in many of them.
I have very fond memories of the school.
I moved to Colton in 1939 and left school in 1945. Friends
have sent me photo's of the school in it's present state of
decay and I feel very sad that nothing is being done about
preserving it. I do hope that those people who are trying
to get something done about it will succeed. I feel that it
should become a listed building. Good luck to them. Hazel
From: Mavis Cook Email:
mcook.goyh@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk
Date: Tuesday, December
7, 2004 13:28
Subject: Leisure activities
Dear MyColton,
I would be grateful if anyone could point me in the direction
of the nearest Yoga venue?
There is a yoga club at Colton Institute.
Call Tel. 0113 2647805 or e-mail colton.institute@ntlworld.com
for more details.
From: Dorothy Davies
Email: doffy48@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tuesday, November
2, 2004 11:33
Subject: Old Primary
School Site
Since I last submitted my initial comment
on the website and particularly my comment on the old primary
school. I now realise that the new Primary school has a green
area so my point of reusing it for the new school's purpose
is redundant.
However, as this is a growing area with an increasing number
of nursery and primary school children why not submit the
idea of a properly fitted safe recreational area with swings,
slides etc. Again I haven't yet come across one and as I have
two grandchildren who would love to be able to 'go to the
park Nana' I would welcome the idea. Is there one nearby?
Help please.
Currently the site is just open to more and more vandalism.
I dread to think what will happen in the next week or so.
Thanks again MyColton.
DFD
There was a playground built a few years
ago on the grassy area just down from Sainsbury's - sadly
it was abused, vandalised & was pulled down & re grassed
within months of it's erection. The nearest other playground
is next to the main car park at Temple Newsam. Hopefully there
will be some sort of play area for the kids when the Thorpe
Park 'green park' is created.
Graham
From: Dorothy Davies
Email: doffy48@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Monday, October
25, 2004 9:39
Subject: mycolton
website
Dear MyColton,
I'd like to offer my thanks for mycolton.com. We moved into
Colton in May of this year and didn't really have a clue about
the area we had moved into. Having spent a good number of
years living in the North East of Leeds it was pleasant to
move to Colton and be able to see the large expanses of greenery
and farmland.
We found the mycolton.com website very helpful as it gave
us at out fingertips the information we needed. It was helpful
because, invariably, these days wherever one moves people
are at work during the day and no one is around to talk to
about the area. But to receive a welcome card within a day
of arriving from new neighbours was warming and made us feel
welcome. So far we have really felt at home.
As for the old primary school buildings; I do not like to
see the building disintegrating because of lack of funding.
Nor can I honestly see the point of keeping it in the name
of history. Presumably it and the land it stands on belongs
to the council. I applaud the principle of giving it back
to the community - but who would maintain it? Who would be
responsible for its administration? While the council could
be approached with this in mind it would invariably have to
go before various departments before they decided that it
would (possibly) have to come out of next year's budget.
As it was originally the local primary school why not clear
the site, turf it and give it back to the children of the
area as a playing/sports field for the school? Where do they
currently have to go for sporting activities? Surely this
would benefit the children more and be in keeping with the
government's desire to have a healthier nation!
Dorothy Davies
From: Mike Horne Email:
mike@jhorne62.freeserve.co.uk
Date: Sunday, October
17, 2004 4:30
Subject: Colton Primary
School
Hi Graham. I see by the news on your
site that there are more plans to demolish the old Colton
school, and to build new houses on the site.
I have contacted the planning dept at Leeds City Council,
and have voiced my opinion to them (again) about the fact
that the school building should be reprieved, and renovated,
so that the area can utilise this old structure for such as
a community centre.
It is now 42 years since my family left east Leeds, and my
time at this school came to a close, but even I would like
to see this building saved, and put in to good use. The outbuilding
with the corrugated roof (to the east of the original school
building, that was my first classroom in 1960), could also
be restored.
These buildings should never have been abandoned to go in
to a state of decay.
Best wishes
Mike Horne
Mike has also contributed to the 'people
& memories' part of the site- click
here to read his story.
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