"Made in Leeds"

majorhoundii · Post by **majorhoundii** » Wed 28 May, 2014 9:25 am

j.c.d. wrote: Johnny39 wrote: I think I've said this before on here but back in the 50's/60's there was always someone who knew someone who could get hold of a suit length, jacket length or trouser length. Someone knew a cutter, who knew a tailor etc., etc., all done on the Q.T. It used to be exciting going for your first try-on, great days. Leeds was the best dressed city in the country back then. So true, I worked down North Street and there was always a chance of a suit length going cheap. One shop sold radio valves etc but in the back were hundreds of bolts of cloth. nearby was an antique shop which had a bookmakers in the back room. never a dull moment down there...... I recall having a suit length from a mill on Gelderd Road, Gildersome, not the usual Morley cloth muck either. I had it made up into a three piece suit at a tailors on Albion Street (I think) I believe his name was Bernard Reiss (may have that wrong too) but it was good suit

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Wed 28 May, 2014 12:24 pm

My mother who, together with thousands of others, worked at Burton's before WW2 said the Jewish tailors making bespoke suits sat on the tables when doing the hand sewing.

j.c.d. · Post by **j.c.d.** » Wed 28 May, 2014 2:31 pm

In 1960 i was to be married and two weeks before the event after a second "Try on" i realised the suit was not up to standard so gave the tailor the hard word. i had paid for the cloth and now had to look around for another suit in under 14 days. someone recommended a Jewish tailor in York Place. the cloth i picked had to come from Ireland and i was measured had a couple of try ons and the suit was ready on the Friday night before the Wedding. i went in and put on the Jacket, "Fabulous" possibly the best "Whistle" i ever had. This tailor sat on the cutting table to do the hand sewing. I used to have Jackets made by Bill Fotherby who at that time was Works manager at Neville Reeds on Dewsbury Rd., he made those beautiful suits worn by the Johnson Brothers ( singing duo on Clubs) in the 50s and 60s.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 28 May, 2014 7:45 pm

I was "Made in Leeds" (well as far as I know!). Does anyone recall Guanaria's ice cream makers that had a place on Easy Road near East End Park? I cannot recall when they ceased trading but it must be very many years back. Apart from a passing mention in an Icecream Vans/Sellers thread there seems to be no other mentions about Guanaria's in Secret Leeds.

majorhoundii · Post by **majorhoundii** » Thu 29 May, 2014 12:14 am

Leodian wrote: I was "Made in Leeds" (well as far as I know!). Does anyone recall Guanaria's ice cream makers that had a place on Easy Road near East End Park? I cannot recall when they ceased trading but it must be very many years back. Apart from a passing mention in an Icecream Vans/Sellers thread there seems to be no other mentions about Guanaria's in Secret Leeds. I was made in Morley - now Leeds, I was also born here, which these days is becoming less and less common. Morley Hall Maternity unit closed in 1972. Both my kids were born in Dewsbury.

j.c.d. · Post by **j.c.d.** » Thu 29 May, 2014 12:20 pm

As a Morley lad did you know Albert Bentley (Fish Shop in the Market) and one of his cohorts Billy Wilson (Morley fireman) though i lived in Beeston i had many happy hours drinking and working in't Morley Oile.

majorhoundii · Post by **majorhoundii** » Thu 29 May, 2014 8:45 pm

j.c.d. wrote: As a Morley lad did you know Albert Bentley (Fish Shop in the Market) and one of his cohorts Billy Wilson (Morley fireman) though i lived in Beeston i had many happy hours drinking and working in't Morley Oile. I wouldn't say I knew Bentleys, I knew who they were. Freddie Bentley used to have a fishmongers at Townend, and then moved into market. AFAIK they're still thee.

j.c.d. · Post by **j.c.d.** » Thu 29 May, 2014 10:47 pm

Yes the grandson David is still there in the Market sadly the fresh fish business is very much on the down but he still keeps going. I myself had a greengrocers business next door to the Bentleys from about 1968 to 75 but saw the light when Morrisons opened by the Town Hall and sold up.

Richard A Thackeray · Thu 29 May, 2014 11:00 pm

Jogon wrote: Woodrupp Chimerabelt drive, sealed hub, s&s couplings (folds), Reynolds 725 tubing.http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodrup_cy ... 6968678198 Bob Jacksons, so I'm informed, now only sell 'off the peg' frames - no custom builds!Whether the frames are still made in the workshops, I have no idea??

Post by **chameleon** » Thu 29 May, 2014 11:53 pm

Richard A Thackeray wrote: Jogon wrote: Woodrupp Chimerabelt drive, sealed hub, s&s couplings (folds), Reynolds 725 tubing.http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodrup_cy ... 6968678198 Bob Jacksons, so I'm informed, now only sell 'off the peg' frames - no custom builds!Whether the frames are still made in the workshops, I have no idea?? Bikes certainly aint what they used to be Rich!