Leeds news on today's date (Nov 5) in 1868, 1870 and 1872.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 9:28 am

The following are from John Mayhall’s 'Annals of Yorkshire' vol 3:-November 5 1868. “A large pear grown at Roundhay Cottage, Leeds, was cut this day. In length it measured 67/8 inches, in circumference 12¼ inches, and when weighed it turned the scale at 1lb. 10½ oz.”That was some size pear! The length was 6 and seven eighths inches (I could not type it to look correct!).November 5 1870. “A “British Workman,” or public-house without drink, being the eighth institution of the kind established in Leeds through the efforts of Mr. W. Hind Smith and other gentlemen, was formally opened at 22, Alfred Cross Street, Little London.”.As a follow-up to that on November 9 1871 it is reported in the Annals “The second annual gathering of the supporters of the “British Workmen” houses in Leeds took place in the Victoria Hall. There are now fifteen of these establishments in Leeds, where the movement was first started. The Mayor presided, and the proceedings were highly interesting.” I presume no ale was drunk! November 5 1872. “The Leeds Daily News was first published.”In information that I’ve found it states the Leeds Daily News became the Yorkshire Evening News (YEN) in May 1905. The YEN then merged with the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP) on December 3 1963 (the YEP is currently still published daily).

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 10:45 am

Leodian wrote: The following are from John Mayhall’s 'Annals of Yorkshire' vol 3:-November 5 1868. “A large pear grown at Roundhay Cottage, Leeds, was cut this day. In length it measured 67/8 inches, in circumference 12¼ inches, and when weighed it turned the scale at 1lb. 10½ oz.”That was some size pear! The length was 6 and seven eighths inches (I could not type it to look correct!).November 5 1870. “A “British Workman,” or public-house without drink, being the eighth institution of the kind established in Leeds through the efforts of Mr. W. Hind Smith and other gentlemen, was formally opened at 22, Alfred Cross Street, Little London.”.As a follow-up to that on November 9 1871 it is reported in the Annals “The second annual gathering of the supporters of the “British Workmen” houses in Leeds took place in the Victoria Hall. There are now fifteen of these establishments in Leeds, where the movement was first started. The Mayor presided, and the proceedings were highly interesting.” I presume no ale was drunk! November 5 1872. “The Leeds Daily News was first published.”In information that I’ve found it states the Leeds Daily News became the Yorkshire Evening News (YEN) in May 1905. The YEN then merged with the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP) on December 3 1963 (the YEP is currently still published daily). Very interesting Leo.....was the "Workman" a middle ground establishment between an ale house and a temperance hall ? I have seen a programme on tv where there were bars selling only soft drinks but under a different,independent guise(can't quite recall the name however).Still,each to their own...........can't really imagine a teetotallers bar being that successful nowadays.As for the pear story....that is some big pear ! An old acquaintenance of mine had an orangerie attached to the side of his house and was very successful in growing excellent fruit.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 11:57 am

Hi somme1916.I’ve just done a search for British Workman public houses and I found a very interesting report titled “'Try the alternative: the built heritage of the temperance movement'” by Andrew Davison. In the report it states “In September 1867 the first British Workman's Public House opened in Leeds. This was deliberately designed to look like a pub, and to provide a similar social ambience, but without the alcohol. It provided a range of temperance drinks, as well as coffee and food. It was an instant success, and the movement spread rapidly, with branches opening around Leeds and in other northern towns over the next few years”. This is a link to the report (which has other mentions of Leeds):- breweryhistory.com/journal/archive/123/Temperance.pdfEdit after posting. Sorry but the link does not work directly, so to access the report please copy and paste the link into a web address box.In information I found elsewhere it stated “The British Workman movement started in the north of England in the 1860s with the aim of establishing alcohol-free public houses for working men. The idea soon spread, and numerous British Workman temperance hotels, tea/coffee houses, and clubs were opened throughout the country”.

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 12:02 pm

This is from the Leeds Mercury, Saturday August 12th 1871

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 12:21 pm

Thanks uncle mick for that very interesting link. I wonder if any of the Leeds 'British Workmen' places are still standing and if so what are they currently used for?

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 1:06 pm

The first British Workmen Pubs started in Leeds in 1867. Some info herehttp://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS18761007.2.30.10&l=mi&e=-------10--1----0--

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 1:59 pm

uncle mick wrote: The first British Workmen Pubs started in Leeds in 1867. Some info herehttp://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS18761007.2.30.10&l=mi&e=-------10--1----0-- Thanks uncle mick for that link to fascinating information in a New Zealand newspaper (though it does refer to the Leeds Mercury).I've found two more mentions of 'British Workman' in the Annals. On December 17 1870 it reports "The opening of "British Workman No. 9," in Bulmer Street, Woodhouse Carr, Leeds, took place." and on January 14 1871 it reports ""British Workman No. 12" was opened in premises known as the "Old North Hall," at the West End, Leeds."I wonder where numbers 10 and 11 were, indeed where all of the 'British Workman' were. I also wonder where "West End, Leeds" is/was.

James · Post by **James** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 3:09 pm

There used to be a daft song about a pub with no beer. Now I learn there really were "workman's pubs" in Leeds where you could only drink a pint of tea. I remember being stationed at Carlisle when the pubs were owned by the State Management Scheme - in other words nationalised pubs. You could buy ale and spirits, but the bars were made very miserable places in order to discourage drinkers from lingering there too long and getting sloshed.

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 5:24 pm

James wrote: There used to be a daft song about a pub with no beer. Now I learn there really were "workman's pubs" in Leeds where you could only drink a pint of tea. I remember being stationed at Carlisle when the pubs were owned by the State Management Scheme - in other words nationalised pubs. You could buy ale and spirits, but the bars were made very miserable places in order to discourage drinkers from lingering there too long and getting sloshed. Never knew that James.....fascinating stuff.Mindst you,I know one or two places even now where the staff are that surly and rude you might as well be back in a "nationalised" environment !

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Mon 05 Nov, 2012 5:26 pm

Leodian wrote: Hi somme1916.I’ve just done a search for British Workman public houses and I found a very interesting report titled “'Try the alternative: the built heritage of the temperance movement'” by Andrew Davison. In the report it states “In September 1867 the first British Workman's Public House opened in Leeds. This was deliberately designed to look like a pub, and to provide a similar social ambience, but without the alcohol. It provided a range of temperance drinks, as well as coffee and food. It was an instant success, and the movement spread rapidly, with branches opening around Leeds and in other northern towns over the next few years”. This is a link to the report (which has other mentions of Leeds):- breweryhistory.com/journal/archive/123/Temperance.pdfEdit after posting. Sorry but the link does not work directly, so to access the report please copy and paste the link into a web address box.In information I found elsewhere it stated “The British Workman movement started in the north of England in the 1860s with the aim of establishing alcohol-free public houses for working men. The idea soon spread, and numerous British Workman temperance hotels, tea/coffee houses, and clubs were opened throughout the country”. Cheers Leo.....so THAT's how Starbucks etc started off then !Ye olde Tea shoppe/coffee house etc with a modern take.