A RANGE of archives gathered over decades by the Burley Local History Group (Archives), will be on view on Saturday, April 1 from 10am to 1pm at Burley Library as part of an event to mark the library’s transfer from Bradford Council to Burley Parish Council.

Secretary of the group, Margaret Nunnerley, said: "This fascinating collection, currently housed in the library, has a wealth of documents, plans and photos on a range of subjects and events which have been at the heart of Burley’s history. These include the history of Greenholme Mills, now due for redevelopment as housing, the story of schooling in the village from the 19th Century, and the impact of WW1 on local families.

"For those who enjoy uncovering secrets from WW2 there are documents relating to a Top Secret SOE (Special Operations Executive) project part- based in Burley Hall. The greenhouses there were used in the production of incendiary devices to be dropped in Occupied Europe. Visitors can read the Special Branch report on the then owner of Burley Hall who is described as ‘a villain of the deepest dye; an absolute Hitler’...who also ‘pinched wireless sets intended for staff and fire watchers, and who even stole food from the canteen’."

To find out more, visit the display on Saturday, April 1.