16 brilliant photos take you back to Bramley in the 1970s

It was a decade which featured the return of a much loved community event.

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 17th Apr 2024, 04:45 BST

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The 1970s saw Bramley Carnival make a welcome return much to the delight of local residents. It had been a regular event in the early part of the 20th century but the 1976 celebration was the first for many years. This gallery showcases photos from the carnival parade as well as shops, pubs, landmarks and stories making the news headlines during the decade. The images are a mix from the YEP archive, West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: 24 of the best photos take you back to Bramley in the 1990s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP NEWSLETTERS: Sign up for free news and sport emails

A decorated float parading along Upper Town Street during the Bramley Carnival of 1976, with people lining the streets to watch. The carnival had been a regular event in the early part of the 20th century but the 1976 one was the first for many years. Buildings in the background numbered 216 - 218 are boarded up or have windows broken and are scheduled for demolition.

1. Bramley in the 1970s

A decorated float parading along Upper Town Street during the Bramley Carnival of 1976, with people lining the streets to watch. The carnival had been a regular event in the early part of the 20th century but the 1976 one was the first for many years. Buildings in the background numbered 216 - 218 are boarded up or have windows broken and are scheduled for demolition. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Bramley Primary School's float in the Bramley Carnival of 1976. Teachers and pupils are dressed in Victorian costume and are depicting a Victorian school day. The float is part of a parade travelling along Upper Town Street; shops in the background, including Thompson's bakers and confectioners at no. 216, are boarded up and scheduled for demolition.

2. Bramley in the 1970s

Bramley Primary School's float in the Bramley Carnival of 1976. Teachers and pupils are dressed in Victorian costume and are depicting a Victorian school day. The float is part of a parade travelling along Upper Town Street; shops in the background, including Thompson's bakers and confectioners at no. 216, are boarded up and scheduled for demolition. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

A colour photo of a vehicle belonging to R. Tomlinson forming part of a parade of floats travelling along Upper Town Street during the Bramley Carnival of 1976. People line the streets to watch the newly resurrected carnival, the first since the early part of the 20th century. Shops in the background at no. 220 and 222 are boarded up and soon to be demolished.

3. Bramley in the 1970s

A colour photo of a vehicle belonging to R. Tomlinson forming part of a parade of floats travelling along Upper Town Street during the Bramley Carnival of 1976. People line the streets to watch the newly resurrected carnival, the first since the early part of the 20th century. Shops in the background at no. 220 and 222 are boarded up and soon to be demolished. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

Raging fire destroyed Sowden's Forge in Bramley in August 1976. It wasalso known as Prospect Forge.

4. Bramley in the 1970s

Raging fire destroyed Sowden's Forge in Bramley in August 1976. It wasalso known as Prospect Forge. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

DIY centre Forest Products on Stanningley Road, pictured in 1970. It had previously been home to the Clifton Cinema which opened on Monday, January 30, 1939 and finally closed as a cinema on Saturday June 17, 1961

5. Bramley in the 1970s

DIY centre Forest Products on Stanningley Road, pictured in 1970. It had previously been home to the Clifton Cinema which opened on Monday, January 30, 1939 and finally closed as a cinema on Saturday June 17, 1961 Photo: Mr. K. S. Wheelan

An aerial view of the Fortress Kennels on Rock Lane off Rodley Lane. This image was taken for a planning application in 1979. The markings show the proposed location of a detached bungalow and extension to existing building, to form a dog breeding and training kennels, a cattery and self contained boarding kennels for dog breeding.

6. Bramley in the 1970s

An aerial view of the Fortress Kennels on Rock Lane off Rodley Lane. This image was taken for a planning application in 1979. The markings show the proposed location of a detached bungalow and extension to existing building, to form a dog breeding and training kennels, a cattery and self contained boarding kennels for dog breeding. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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