Nostalgia - 1970

The youngsters made the canoes to participate in more outdoor events.

The Mayor of Batley, Coun Vera Bell, visited Wilton Park to offer her support to the group.

She said she was sure they would bring the troops lots of enjoyment.

Proceedings, however, were disrupted after a group of children shouted abuse at the Scouts.

The News reported: “A scruffy contingent of girls and boys gathered to disrupt the Scouts, who were doing something worthwhile.”

The group now had three canoes in 1970 – a fibre glass vessel owned by the Scouts and two that were hand built.

Made from plywood kayat and a wood and PVC constructed solo craft, it took five to six weeks to make.

Each cost around £20 for materials and the money was raised by donations from the parents.

Assistant Scout leader Peter Greaves said all the boys who went canoeing had to be good swimmers.

The two canoes would be used at summer camps for the Scouts.

Also in 1970, the Heavy Woollen District Hospitals’ Broadcast Association opened its new studio in Batley Hospital.

The event was attended by five civic heads and Mayor of Batley, Coun Vera Bell, officially opened the studio.

Chairman of the association Stanley Webb said the Heavy Woollen District was one of the first to start its own broadcast association.

Announcing the new premises open, Mrs Bell thanked all who were working for the broadcast association.

She spoke of the pleasures patients would gain in local hospitals, because of the group’s activities.

Vice-president of the association Mr W H Ellis, who was a renowned sports broadcaster, said the opening of the new studio was “a great achievement”.

He told the News he hoped that the broadcasts would continue for many years.

Following the official proceedings, Mr Ellis broadcast a special edition of his sports programme and later the civic dignitaries were given the opportunity of sending goodwill messages to patients in the hospital.

The Heavy Woollen District Hospitals Broadcasts Association transmitted programmes to the hospitals by a GPO land line from the studio.

It had an extensive record library and on average had around 60 requests on Sundays and Mondays.

Since September 9 1952, when Batley played Keighley in the second round of the Yorkshire Cup, the sports programme provided commentaries from Mount Pleasant and Crown Flatt.

Mr Ellis told the News that in those days, the equipment was little more than two boxes.

Batley’s first female traffic warden was praised after being nominated for promoting road safety.

Mrs E Blakeley, who was nominated by the Prevention of Accidents Sub-Committee, scooped the golden jubilee trophy.

The Mayor of Batley, Coun Vera Bell, made the presentation at a meeting of the sub-committee.

She said the certificate was a mark of recognition of Mrs Blakeley’s services to road safety in the town.

Chairman of the West Riding Accident Prevention Federation H Astbury congratulated Mrs Blakeley on the achievement.

He said Batley had made a good choice in Mrs Blakeley and added it was pleasing they had among them a person who was willing to go about her work enthusiastically.