Morley Community Archive

Morley, West Yorkshire
Photo:Henry Ainley (born:1879, died:1945) as 'Orlando' in 'As You Like It'. He was born in Morley and was a very famous actor of his time. Photo taken on 07/10/1908.

Henry Ainley (born:1879, died:1945) as 'Orlando' in 'As You Like It'. He was born in Morley and was a very famous actor of his time. Photo taken on 07/10/1908.

From the Morley Community Archive

Photo:Atlas Vulcana, Family Strong act, the first professional act to perform at the New Pavilion, Morley. Photo taken 04/12/1911.

Atlas Vulcana, Family Strong act, the first professional act to perform at the New Pavilion, Morley. Photo taken 04/12/1911.

From the Morley Community Archive

Many of us have boxes of old photographs, postcards, and other items of local historical interest tucked away in cupboards. What will happen to them when you are no longer here?  Shouldn't these memories be preserved so that future generations know what life in Morley was really like for their ancestors?

We are a small group of volunteers whose objective that is, by creating a computer archive available on the internet for anyone researching the history of Morley, or tracing their family tree.  Local people are invited to contribute their photographs and reminiscences at our collection sessions, where we also display material from the Archive in various ways to generate interest in our project.

In addition to the Commanet archive of collected pictures, a visit to our website will reveal an ever-growing store of historical information about the town.

Commanet is a registered charity that helps communities to set up and develop local archives using specially designed Commanet software.

Visit the Morley Community Archive website
This page was added on 24/07/2006.

Comments about this page

Atlas and Vulcana (see photo) were famous for weightlifting in the early part of the last century (1890-late 1920s). Atlas and Vulcana were the King and Queen of Athletes. Kate Williams (Roberts) (1875-1946), the Champion Lady Athlete of the World met William Hedley Roberts (1864-1946) Society Athlete at the lady's gymnasium he had established in Abergavenny, South Wales. For more information about Atlas and Vulcana please visit: http://www.geocities.com/vulcanahome/

By Kim Roberts
On 13/02/2007

This photograph of Atlas and Vulcana was taken in Australia on one of their tours. The date shown, 4 December 1911 was the Monday commencing the week when they performed at the New Pavilion Theatre in Morley. Atlas and Vulcana had four sons and two daughters, during their engagement in Morley. Mona and Nora performed with their parents billed as "Sisters Atlas, England's Champion Strong Girls." One of the sons, Augustus, also appeared at the New Pavilion as "Little Gus, the Boy Champion". This wonderful family troupe were genuine strong athletes, they did not employ any theatrical tricks and their feats were not exaggerated.

By Ronnie Barraclough
On 01/05/2007

Contrary to popular belief Henry Hinchliffe Ainley was not born in Morley but in Belle Vue Terrace, Leeds. He was Christened at St. George's church and whilst still a small baby was brought to live in Morley when his father, Richard, had taken over the Crank Mill along with his partner Mr. Stephenson. The Crank Mill, still standing, is believed to have been the first steam powered woollen Mill in Yorkshire and possibly England when it opened in 1779. Henry Ainley played Orlando in "As You Like It" at St. James' theatre from 19th to 27 January 1906 and again at His Majesty's theatre from 7th October 1907 to 3rd January 1908. I believe this post card photograph was taken at the time of the 1908 performances when Lilian Braithwaite played Rosalind.

By Ronnie Barraclough
On 01/05/2007

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