R.A.F aerial photography over Leeds in 1951.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Mon 07 Oct, 2013 10:36 pm

I'm trying to see what was going on with Woodhouse Moor in 1951. All the old maps show it as well tended parkland. Yet on this photo it looks a bit unkempt in certain areas. Almost like allotments are on it?http://tinyurl.com/no9qmxgThe squares make it look so anyway.Would that have happened during the war years perhaps?

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon 07 Oct, 2013 10:49 pm

Hi Phill. The entire south west corner has certainly been allotments since the 1950s and before - and still is. Take a look at the moor on googlemaps.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Mon 07 Oct, 2013 11:03 pm

jim wrote: Hi Phill. The entire south west corner has certainly been allotments since the 1950s and before - and still is.Take a look at the moor on googlemaps. Well would you credit that, that's about the only part I've not been through. I always assumed it was well tended park land. Thanks Jim.http://goo.gl/maps/2bl2Q

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Tue 08 Oct, 2013 12:16 am

Jogon wrote: Ooh you've set a rabbit off here Mr D.Rothwells Parade, lovely.Even better, somewhere there is a photo of a lovely half-cab green bus parked out front...somewhere Its on the old number 2 route from Dewsbury Road to Moortown.I agree with you Jogon about it being a "lovely" bus - 99% of the staff hated them for no valid reason except to "grouse over nothing." I loved them and they were full of character and went like rockets due to the large 9.6 litre engines and the lightweight MCCW bodies, just under a ton less than the same sized Roe. They were the last Leeds buses to be supplied with normal bonnets and exposed radiators. Naturally they had a totally different look to the usual Leeds Roe bodies but so what ? - they were in my view very handsome in their own wayThe batch comprised the strange number of fourteen vehicles - the normal orders were in multiples of five. Numbers 910 - 923 3910 - 3923 UB Price each - wait for it - £5,133.14.0d !!

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Tue 08 Oct, 2013 12:22 am

Great photo that, worth posting here to get a look the other way. The Wrens on the corner somehow making it look a bit more like the Leeds we know today.

jf · Post by jf » Tue 08 Oct, 2013 12:23 am

These are great. Nice to see the rail bridge over the river to the corporation depot on Kirkstall Rd (east of the viaduct) - I've not seen a picture of it before.I'm trying to see if I can see anything of my bit of Armley (top end) but haven't spotted anything yet!

jf · Post by jf » Tue 08 Oct, 2013 12:54 am

There's also the nice 1980 aerial images of Leeds on DanielRobot's Flickr which make a nice comparison to some shots, including this one:http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielrobo ... 8827351For Pic 7 I think the 'madhouse' just lasted until the early 90's rather than late 80's - I came here in Oct 1989 and remember it being around, and the shops on George St lasted a while longer. There was also a diagonal row of shops across the outdoor market bit that disappeared very early 90s when that was revamped.

PC - Dublin · Post by **PC - Dublin** » Tue 08 Oct, 2013 9:03 am

Secret Leeds every now and again throws up a classic thread and this is certainly one. Well done Phill for all your hard work.PC

Si · Post by Si » Tue 08 Oct, 2013 9:52 am

PC - Dublin wrote: Secret Leeds every now and again throws up a classic thread and this is certainly one. Well done Phill for all your hard work.PC I agree completely. Well done Phill.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 08 Oct, 2013 10:37 am

Phill_dvsn wrote: jim wrote: Hi Phill. The entire south west corner has certainly been allotments since the 1950s and before - and still is.Take a look at the moor on googlemaps. Well would you credit that, that's about the only part I've not been through. I always assumed it was well tended park land. Thanks Jim.http://goo.gl/maps/2bl2Q You're right in the assumption that it was wartime 'dig for victory'allotments. I've seen some aerial photos where they werebeing worked moe intensively. (Pics on Leodis but search function is not working at momoent)I guess by 51 the need was declining but the money to restore the park wasn't available. Many ot the trees on the moor today were planted in the 60s.