Author: Ken Burton

I was born in Black Bull Street then we moved out to east Leeds, I have also lived in north Leeds but when I married we moved to Beeston in 1966 (still with the same lass). I like the area very much and try to promote south Leeds history, much of which in the 'development' of the area has disappeared. I am the Secretary of Beeston Local History Society and a Friend of Holbeck Cemetery and try and contribute to our area as much as possible.

Local History: John Blenkinsop 1783-1831

John Blenkinsop was a Mining Engineer and Steam Locomotive designer who was born at Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham. When he was old enough he was apprenticed to his cousin, John Straker, the Coal Viewer for Charles John Brandling’s Felling Colliery. Brandling lived at Tilling, County Durham; and he married

Local history: Leeds School Board

Education for working class children was definitely not a priority, they were expected to contribute to the family income by working, begging, or stealing. Factory owners sometimes provided facilities to educating the children working for them and these children became known as half-timers – half a day working and half