Leeds news on today's date (Oct 11) in 1797 and 1871.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 11 Oct, 2012 12:44 pm

The following are taken from John Mayhall's 'Annals of Yorkshire':-October 11 1797. "Admiral Duncan with sixteen sail of the line, after a most gallant action, defeated the Dutch Admiral de Winter, who had sixteen sail of the line, and five frigates; ten sail of the line and two frigates were captured, and but for the circumstance of the Dutch fleet being so near their own coast (5 miles) the whole must have fallen into the hands of the British Admiral, who was soon after created baron Duncan and viscount Camperdown, the name by which the battle was designated. At this time there were great rejoicings at Leeds and other places, and subscriptions opened for the relief of the widows and children of those who fell in the engagement."To the best of my knowledge Duncan Street was so named in honour of Admiral Duncan. What is now called the Duncan pub was I believe also named in his honour, though I'm fairly sure that it used to be called the Admiral Duncan pub until not that many years back. This is a link to an about 1905 painting of Duncan Street in the Leodis website:- http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL The general scene is still recognisable today.October 11 1871. "The inhabitants of Otley determined upon the restoration of the May-pole, which, after standing for ages upon Cross Green, was torn down and much damaged by the lightning in June."

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Thu 11 Oct, 2012 7:00 pm

I've never got round to going into the Duncan.Also where was/is the Market Tavern - the one known as the Mad House.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 11 Oct, 2012 7:33 pm

Jogon wrote: I've never got round to going into the Duncan.Also where was/is the Market Tavern - the one known as the Mad House. I guess Jogon you mean the Market Tavern that was on what is now the car park opposite the City Market. The car park is an area which I think is to be part of the Eastgate/Harewood development. Though I recall the pub I never went in. I think it may have been demolished in the 1990s. I know nothing of it being a 'Mad House'.

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Thu 11 Oct, 2012 7:47 pm

Leodian wrote: Jogon wrote: I've never got round to going into the Duncan.Also where was/is the Market Tavern - the one known as the Mad House. I guess Jogon you mean the Market Tavern that was on what is now the car park opposite the City Market. The car park is an area which I think is to be part of the Eastgate/Harewood development. Though I recall the pub I never went in. I think it may have been demolished in the 1990s. I know nothing of it being a 'Mad House'. That's the one I recall Leodian/Jogon. I believe it was a popular haunt of the slaughtermen. I went in once one dinnertime and like a lot of town pubs it was a different place from the night time. We did know it as the "Mad House".

jdbythesea · Post by **jdbythesea** » Thu 11 Oct, 2012 8:14 pm

This should bring up an earlier link about the Market Tavern with a link to a Leodis piccie.http://www.leodis.net/GuidedTour.aspx?ORDER=15&ID=9

Caron · Post by **Caron** » Thu 11 Oct, 2012 8:58 pm

I think the Maypole is still in Otley though not sure if it is in the original place? I did read about it a long while back and my memory is shocking! I'm told the Maypole fish n chips are yummy!

Si · Post by Si » Fri 12 Oct, 2012 11:58 am

Caron wrote: I think the Maypole is still in Otley though not sure if it is in the original place? I did read about it a long while back and my memory is shocking! I'm told the Maypole fish n chips are yummy! The maypole is still in Otley, pretty much in it's original spot. I was told it's the second highest in England (after Barwick?) There is a smaller, modern, usable one alongside it.Yes, the chippie isn't bad.As for the Market Tavern (aka the Madhouse), there are some pics on the Milgarth Police Station Area thread, and it's also mentioned in the Lost Pubs thread ISTR.

tomq · Post by **tomq** » Fri 12 Oct, 2012 2:00 pm

Jogon wrote: I've never got round to going into the Duncan.Also where was/is the Market Tavern - the one known as the Mad House. Back in the sixties The Duncan was one of the smarter pubs in Leeds centre. How things have changed!

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Fri 12 Oct, 2012 5:50 pm

tomq wrote: Back in the sixties The Duncan was one of the smarter pubs in Leeds centre. How things have changed! In the 60's you had the Central Market pub across the road from the Duncan, next door to the Duncan was the Star&Garter and around the corner was the White Swan (aka Mucky Duck).The latter two were a bit rough. It's a old adage that you don't solve a problem by shutting a pub as the "clientel" moves elsewhere