Ilkley reader solves mystery of ‘beach breakfast’ snap (From Wharfedale Observer)

Ilkley reader solves mystery of ‘beach breakfast’ snap

1:56pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Amanda Greaves

An Ilkley reader has shed more light on an undated photograph we recently featured on our Across the Years page.

The tenant of White Wells spa cottage in Ilkley, Mark Hunnebell, identified the photo showing men from Ilkley Parish Church Men’s Service outing.

Mr Hunnebell says reports from the time show the photograph was taken on Tuesday, July 4, 1911, in Blackpool.

The men had just had breakfast on the beach at the resort. The food came from the town’s Clark and Heap’s Restaurant.

Reports said the Blackpool trip had been run for many years, and was patronised by hundreds of Ilkley people in July 1911.

Three saloon carriages were occupied by more than 70 men attending the Parish Church monthly men’s service, another contained a band and friends, and a fifth the Catholic Church Choir and church worker.

A further party consisted of members of the Leeds Road Congregational Mothers.

The train was apparently delayed before it arrived to collect its Ilkley passengers, eventually leaving the town for the west coast at 6.45am.

Most of the party gravitated to the South Shore Pleasure Fair, and had either three-penn’orth at the Joy Wheel, water chute, or scenic railway, to say nothing of the ‘penny-shies’ and other attractions.