Quirky Windows in Fartown, Pudsey

[exploringleeds]

Hi all,I'm interested in these windows - http://exploringleeds.blogspot.com/2010 ... rtown.html - and I'm wondering if anyone who knows the area knows why a bunch of regular suburban houses have nice pastoral scenes in modern stained glass on them? I like the windows but they came as a bit of a surprise when I was wandering up to explore Fulneck a little while ago. Can't remember seeing anything similar in Leeds. Ever Curious,Alex

[robontheroad]

Could they have something to do with the former chapel that was demolished on Bankhouse lane circa 1999? There are new houses on it now

[Si]

I know Pudsey quite well, but I've never seen these windows before. Nice find!However, after looking closely, I don't think they are that old. They do have a slight Art Deco feeling to them, but I'd guess they're much more modern than the 1930s. Many window companies now offer a stained-glass service, and will (at a cost) knock up your own design. Having said that, the windows do seem to be timber framed with secondary double-glazing, so perhaps the owner of the house is a stained-glass artist himself?I would very much doubt if the windows are from an old chapel.    

[exploringleeds]

Hi Si, thanks for the compliment! They do look new at first glance but these three windows are on three different houses rather than one and I think there were at least five houses in a row with these windows... they're all on Fartown down at the Fulneck end of the street. The streetview is http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=f ... 63,,0,5.56 for one of them (clunky address I know).

[Si]

Hi Exploringleeds,I didn't realise the three pictures were of three different houses! My guess is that it's an example of "keeping up with the Jones's." Two of the windows, IMO, are definately by the same artist. The galleon is possibly by the same bloke.If you're down that way again, howabout knocking on the door and asking? I'd be interested.    

[cnosni]

Nice site,you should take a look at Phil_d's website.The man who boldly goes where no sane person has been before

[Wool]

Hi AlexThese look like original early 1950's landing windows on houses built by Norman C Ashton, a builder who built in several locations in Leeds. There are similar houses in Adel, although the stained glass is less interesting than in your pictures.

[exploringleeds]

Wool wrote: Hi AlexThese look like original early 1950's landing windows on houses built by Norman C Ashton, a builder who built in several locations in Leeds. There are similar houses in Adel, although the stained glass is less interesting than in your pictures. Oooh, I knew someone round here would know! Thanks ever so, Wool. Whereabouts in Adel, out of curiosity?

[exploringleeds]

cnosni wrote: Nice site,you should take a look at Phil_d's website.The man who boldly goes where no sane person has been before Hiya cnosni, I'm familiar with the fabulous work of Phil. He pointed me in the direction of www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk. It took me a couple of hours to surface after falling into that little info-bunnyhole.

[Wool]

Alex, The Ashton houses in Adel I have in mind are on the Kingsleys and Gainsboroughs behind the Lawnswood Arms and I think there are a few of similar vintage on Farrar Lane and The Drive. I believe that these roads were once farmland bought by the Co-op. There is a short terrace on Gainsborough Avenue which I believe was a Co-op shop until perhaps the early 1970s.Some of the Co-op land was sold piecemeal for housing around WW2 time but it looks as if all he houses in the Kingsleys and Gainsboroughs were built in the early 1950's by Ashtons apart from those at the Holt Lane end which are different in appearance and perhaps pre- war. There are some photos on Leodis.Ashtons also built most of the private housing in Holt Park but that was in the 1970s