Shipley History

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Sir H. Norman Rae

The recent renaming of the pub that now uses the old Co-op building on the corner of the present and past market squares prompted me to find out who Sir Norman Rae was. He was of course wealthy, connected to the woolen industry and an M.P. for Shipley. He was a great benefactor of Shipley. He bought, in 1920, the land that now is Northcliffe Park and Woods and gave it to the council for the benefit of Shipley people. This forced Shipley golf club to move to their present location in Bingley as their course was over the fields in Northcliffe Park. The club house was originally up Hollin Hill Lane adjoining Hollin Hill Farm.

He also bought the hotel close to the Ring of Bells which he converted to the Shipley Maternity Hospital. This was told me by a lady I met in Kearn's butchers. It later became Shipley Hospital. Not a day after finding this out I met another lady, while I was walking my dogs in Hirst Wood, who had delivered her three children in the maternity hospital.

While I was still in the mood I finally went to find out about the ruins in Hirst Wood and the weir on the river about 200yards upstream from the aqueduct. They formed New Mill and were built around 1740 as a fulling mill. Possibly on the site of an older iron works. Again the dog walking gained more information when I met yet another lady who remembers days out at Hirst Wood and the wonderful ice-cream bought from Hirst farm, which was demolished and is now the car park.

I have yet to meet anyone who remembers the keepers cottage at Hirst locks, now just a patch of earth beside the lock and swing bridge. Let me know please if you were ever there.

Mike Lee

See also: Shipley Index