MONKHILL RAILWAY STATION

ADDED 23 MARCH 2006

Seeing the pictures in the March Digest by of Pontefract Monkhill Railway Station by Peter Cookson brought back happy memories of my father-in-law who worked at Monkhill Station for many years. I can picture him now, laughing and joking with everyone. He was well known in Pontefract, driving his ‘Cob’ with a big container fixed on the back, delivering to Dunhills and around the town before it was pedestrianized, and to Muscrofts where I think they bottled the beer, (I believe it was where Argos is now). It was said he could turn the Cob round on a sixpence! I am enclosing a copy of a picture taken by the Pontefract and Castleford Express receiving his long service medal and a gold pocket watch. He also got medals for safe driving!

His father, James Edward Briggs, worked at Monkhill also, as a railway policeman and I believe he manned the signalbox at sometime. Arthur Briggs my father-in-law is second on the left of the photograph. I remember all the men with him but I can’t remember their names or the name of the Mayor – maybe some of your readers will. I am also enclosing a copy of the certificate of the occasion.

In response to your ‘Stars of Stage and Screen’ feature, I would like to see a photograph of James Mason who I admired when I was very young. I joined his fan club when I was about eleven years old. I also greatly admired Janet Gaynor.

I also thought that you and your readers might be interested to know that Vivian Leigh, who was featured in the February edition of The Digest, had connections with Pontefract – her great-grandfather was a Hartley (a gentleman of Pontefract) – whose solicitors offices are still down Gillygate.

Mrs Briggs
23 March 2006

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