Leeds storm, 1961

Lilysmum · Post by **Lilysmum** » Sun 19 Oct, 2008 8:28 pm

I always thought he DID live near thornbury but in the book I was reading it said Leeds so I may be wrong (I usually am)

big s · Post by **big s** » Sun 19 Oct, 2008 9:16 pm

Telstar wrote: Hi. Does anyone remember the great storm of Leeds in 1961 ? It was more like a hurricane, similar to that of the one in 1987 that caused damage to south-east England, which I also experienced when staying in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.In 1961, I was living in Lulworth Crescent, Leeds 15 with my parents. During one night, we were woken by very strong winds that did a lot of damage to roof tiles, chimneys, tv aerials, etc. We were lucky that we only had damage to our ridge tiles, but others were not so lucky. It was quite a frightening experience at the time.I wonder if it was the same year that damage was done to the church spire on St.George's church in Leeds, and also to the roof on the old City railway station ? the 160 ft spire of st george blew down in the great gale of 1962,is this diffrent to your great storm of 1961 ?

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Sun 19 Oct, 2008 10:11 pm

Lilysmum wrote: Donald Neilson was from Bradford originally but at the time of his arrest lived at Grangefield Ave.Leeds. In 1976 he was given 5 life sentences for the murder of four sub-postmasters shot during robberies and the kidnapp and murder of heiress Lesley Whittle and told he would never be released. He is now dying of motor neurone disease. Neilson (Nappey) was born in Morley"Donald Neilson was born on 1 August 1936 in Morley, West Yorkshire, an extended suburb to the west of Leeds. He grew up in a cramped one up one down terraced house. His father was a poorly paid woollen worker and the family, like most other people in the neighbourhood lived on the verge of poverty. His real name was not Neilson but Nappey. This made him a natural target for bullies and teasing in his childhood. He was so affected by the experience that, when his own daughter was born, he decided to protect her from the same abuse by changing the family name to Neilson."http://journals.aol.co.uk/cappytan06/THEBLACKPANTHER/

Inquirer · Post by **Inquirer** » Mon 20 Oct, 2008 8:35 am

Donald Neilson lived on Leeds Road, Thornbury, Bradford, on th Bradford side of the Gain Lane boundary with Pudsey (therefore Leeds).

Inquirer · Post by **Inquirer** » Mon 20 Oct, 2008 8:38 am

On the Leeds storm of 1961: many trees on the Harewood estate alongside Harrogate Road came down and the wall surrounding the estate was damaged in many places. I think of this storm every time I see the repairs to the long wall.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 20 Oct, 2008 9:21 am

Inquirer wrote: Donald Neilson lived on Leeds Road, Thornbury, Bradford, on th Bradford side of the Gain Lane boundary with Pudsey (therefore Leeds). The house in that terrace in which Neilson lived, was indeed up for sale for a very long time. The pub at the end is The Junction.

Chrism · Post by **Chrism** » Mon 20 Oct, 2008 6:04 pm

I remember the storm too, even though I was only 3 at the time. We lived in the Hopes, they were just off Armley Road situated between Armley Park School and Armley Park itself. I don't remember hearing the wind just the smell of soot the next day and all the chimley pomms (as my gran used to call 'em) in the streets.

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Mon 20 Oct, 2008 11:30 pm

Si wrote: Inquirer wrote: Donald Neilson lived on Leeds Road, Thornbury, Bradford, on th Bradford side of the Gain Lane boundary with Pudsey (therefore Leeds). The house in that terrace in which Neilson lived, was indeed up for sale for a very long time. The pub at the end is The Junction. At the time of his arrest Neilson (Neilsen?) was living in Grangefield Terrace, Thornbury, Bradford. Grangefield Terrace is the name given to a long terrace of houses which front directly on to Leeds & Bradford Road, and the house is within the Bradford boundary. It is true that the house remained unsold for years after his arrest. The Junction public house is at the end of the terrace at the junction with Gain Lane. The erstwhile Pudsey (now Leeds) boundary falls just past where Gain Lane and Sunnybank Lane join Leeds & Bradford Road.I think the actual spelling of his original surname was Nappey. Only last week I encountered the surname Diaper, and wondered if it was the Panther's American cousin

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Mon 20 Oct, 2008 11:40 pm

In any case, I reckon Donald Nappey was a bit over-sensitive about his name. I could've understood it had his first name been Terry!P'raps his mum didn't pamper him enough?

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 10:06 am

Uno Hoo wrote: In any case, I reckon Donald Nappey was a bit over-sensitive about his name. I could've understood it had his first name been Terry!P'raps his mum didn't pamper him enough? Very good - but don't give up the day job as they say. LOL LOL