Pennine Magazine, 40 Years On
Our volunteer Sue Jane has been stepping back in time to explore a copy of Pennine Magazine from 1983. Here are a few highlights which give a window into the lives of South Pennines residents 40 years ago.
Photo Finish: A report of the opening of the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television (now the National Science and Media Museum) in Bradford - ‘some of Britain’s most advanced technology will go on show’. The museum is still going today, and though currently closed for extensive renovations, it will be back open for Bradford’s year as City of Culture in 2025.
The Pennine Heritage Taskforce: The Pennine Heritage Taskforcewere offering ‘first aid’ to footpaths, bridleways and stone walls.Today, these routes are maintained by the fantastic volunteers at CROWS (Community Rights of Way Service).
The Return of the Trams: I was surprised to learn that the Shipley Glen Tramway was derelict and at risk of demolition in 1981.It was rescued by a team of volunteers working with the Bradford Trolleybus Association. The volunteers rebuilt it – and apparently they were so enthusiastic they kept working all through the night at one point.They seem to have done a good job and it is still going strong today.
Eating Out:These pages show a small selection of the local business adverts in the magazine. In 1983 bargains were to be had with Gallaghers Steak House, in Colne, offering a 3 course Sunday lunch for 3.00. Ye Old Sparrow Hawk Inn, near Burnley, was probably more upmarket with lunch for 5.45 and unlimited coffee for 45p!What interested me most was an advert for Strays Restaurant (New Street, Hebden Bridge) because it mentioned vegetarian dishes – and I am old enough to know how rare that was in 1983!
Hebden Bridge Vintage Car Rally:It was interesting to see that the rally was taking place almost exactly 40 years ago, with the 2023 rally having happened this past weekend. Some of the cars produced in 1983 would now qualify to appear in this year’s rally, in Class A: Classic Cars 1976 to 1986.