Kippax, High Street 1951

Photo ref: K72007

My father, Douglas Aubrey Dixon, also known as 'Reginald' lived with his father, Temple Dixon, at 'Westholme' Westfield Lane - No.81. My paternal grandfather bought the house for £385 in June, 1935. Temple Dixon was a retired railway detective having worked his way up the ladder so-to- speak from working as a porter and ticket collector at Mirfield station (1901 census). I returned to Kippax with my ...see more

I used to catch the school bus to Castleford at the White Swan on the left; this was re-built in the early 1900s. The Royal Oak on the far right was originally opposite the Swan where the fish shop is. The "new" Royal Oak (now closed) was called Kippax House and was home to a doctor prior to taking the Pub licence. The old pub was known locally as "Kate Masons" after a landlady of the early 1900s. Smiths Chemist, long demolished, occupies the centre of the view. Bob

My Great Grandmother, Ana Louisa Clayton, can be found on the 1881 census working in the Old Tree. The old cinema is hidden on the right. I watched "whistle down the wind" there with my sister which must have been not long before it closed. My wife worked in the "old" Co-op on the left Bob Clayton

2013 was the 100th anniversary of my father 'Reginald' Douglas Aubrey Dixon, so I returned to St. Mary's and laid what I call a 'platinum' wreath by the plaque I had engraved for the 'new cemetery' which records those whose ashes have been scattered (1998). Also, sadly, my brother Robin Dixon had died suddenly in July, 2013, aged 63. I laid a wreath at his cemetery near Headingley cricket ground. As I am ...see more