PONTEFRACT IN 1954

29th January 1954 - A Career Recalled, When Porter Was ‘Sister’ & ‘Matron’
A Pontefract man’s rise from a porter to a superintendent radiographer of a group of hospitals was described at a brief ceremony during the annual ball of Pontefract General Infirmary staff, at Wordsworth Cafe, on Friday

12th February 1954 - Third Week of Cold Weather
The cold spell has now continued for three weeks and records at the Auxiliary Weather Station at the King’s School, Pontefract, show that this month, so far, has been the coldest since the bitter February of 1947

12th February 1954 - St. Thomas’s Windmill, Pontefract
Tenants of the bright new houses which have literally sprung up in the past few months in the fields at Orchard Head Lane, Pontefract, and which were described and pictured in the ‘Express’ last week

19th February 1954 - Pioneer Racing Motorist Flew With 
The Prince And Pearl White
A former racing motorist and tester of aeroplane engines, who became the first manager of the Crescent Cinema, Pontefract, died in a London hospital last week, aged 68

2nd April 1954 - Second Term For Alderman W. Wryder
At a special meeting of the Pontefract Town Council on Wednesday, Alderman W. Wryder J.P. accepted a unanimous invitation to succeed Councillor J.E. Morrel as Mayor of the Borough

14th April 1954 - Palm Sunday Services
Palm Crosses were distributed to the scholars of All Saint’s Church Sunday School, Pontefract, on Sunday. The congregation included a number of parents

23rd April 1954 - Malayan Air War
A Pontefract man is operating with his Air Force Unit from a lonely airstrip at Benta, in a remote province of Pahang, Malaya, which provides an example of co-operation between the armed forces in the war against terrorists

21st May 1954 - Recommended For Mention
Corporal John Metcalfe, of King’s Mead, Pontefract, who is a regular soldier, serving with the Military Police at Singapore, has been recommended for Mention In Dispatches

21st May 1954 - On Retired List
Mr. T.J. Gardner of Maple Avenue, Pontefract, has been placed on the Retired list of the Royal Air Force with the rank of Squadron Leader

28th May 1954 - Concert Party
A concert party was taken to the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Leeds, on Monday, by the committee of the Pontefract combined ex-Services Associatio

9th July 1954 - Annual Carnival
Colourful fancy dresses, balloons and side-shows, made a gay scene at the annual carnival of the Pontefract Parish Church, held for the first time in the grounds of the Pontefract Community Centre, on Saturday

16th July 1954 - Midnight Battle
A Midnight Battle in the woods that fell short of expectations was attempted by the 7th Pontefract [St Joseph’s] Troop of Scouts at a week-end camp in the grounds of Carleton Towers

16th July 1954 - Thinking Big
Thirteen-year-old John Littlewood, of ‘Barwood’, Baghill Lane, Pontefract, owns an hen which has big ideas

August 1954 - Only Coronation Baby
The name is Philip, a right Royal name for the only child to be born at Pontefract on Coronation Day, 1953, and the proud parents are Mr. and Mrs. K. Atkinson of Spring Gardens

22nd October 1954 - Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the Pontefract Combined ex-Services Association was held at the Curriers Arms Hotel on Friday

22nd October 1954 - 137 Years-Old
Two George III sixpences, both minted to 1827, have been found by Mr. A. Inman, a Pontefract Corporation workman, during demolition and repair work on two different sites in the town

22nd October 1954 - Sea Scene
An impressive sea scene with miniature ships and a lighthouse was a feature of the Salvation Army Hall, Pontefract

12th November 1954 - New Bishop Takes Part In Moving Observances - 
Remembrance Sunday Welcome
Circumstances combined to make Remembrance Sunday at Pontefract one of the most moving ever observed in the town

19th November 1954 - First Naval Officer at Army Parade
A Royal Naval officer took the salute at a march past at the Barracks, the depot of The York and Lancaster Regiment on Friday, for the first time in the history of the Depot

17th December 1954 - Big Hand For 'Oldest Soldier'
Hoisted on the shoulders of three sergeants and smiling to the full throated chorus, led by the Colonel of his regiment, "For he’s a jolly good fellow" Corporal Henry Harvey..

17th December 1954 - Christmas Festivities
A Christmas Social was held in the Pontefract Congregational Church School on Saturday, with Messrs. D. Tubbs and Beaumont in charge of the festivities

31st December 1954 - Pontefract General Infirmary
The Matron, Miss C. Parfitt, doctors, sisters, nurses and other members of staff spared no effort to create a lively and cheerful atmosphere for the patients, and the wards were gaily festooned with coloured streamers, balloons and other decorations

31st December 1954 - Measles - But 53 Full Stockings Nevertheless
The first epidemic for many years broke out in the shape of measles, at the Carleton Cottage Homes in November, when plans for Christmas were already afoot, and the season found ten of the children in the Burntwood Isolation Hospital, Brierley

31st December 1954 - Traditional Weather
What is now regarded as ‘traditional’ weather provided the familiar atmosphere in local districts during Christmas.