Monday 17 May 2010

Textile and Industrial Heritage - Holbeck Bonfire

I've been sorting through 'stuff' and came across a book called "Swaps" printed by Yorkshire Art Circus, a publisher working to increase access to and for local communities.

Included is an article about Holbeck Bonfire and Carnival. Apparently this event was organised to celebrate the end of the Great War in 1918 and the first Bonfire was officially lit by the Lord Mayor Joseph Henry, a man locally known as 'The Uncrowned King of Holbeck'. The event was also a fundraiser for the local Nurses Home and in the first year £90 was raised.

The event was obviously held regularly for some years, the author mentions Amy Johnson lighting the fire one year and at another the bonfire was made up of over 100 pianos donated by local businesses.

There's no indication in the book about what time of year this event took place and neither is there any reference to when, or if, the event ceased. I can't find any reference to it on the internet either, is it still going, has it changed its name? Has anyone out there any more information about it?

Hand stitched on printed fabric by Joyce Maynard (20 hours).

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