THE GREAT and the good gathered together in Yeadon in March 1905 for the opening of the town’s Temperance Hall.

The ceremony was performed by Robert Armitage, Lord Mayor of Leeds and Liberal MP for Central Leeds, and the event was attended by more than 3,000 people.

The large turnout demonstrated the strength of the temperance movement in the town - also shown from photographs of Band of Hope rallies and processions dating from around the same time.

All the images are from the archives of Aireborough Historical Society, and the group details the history of the local movement on its website.

“Yeadon Temperance Society began in 1840, a Band of Hope was formed in 1847,” it says. “Many members were reluctant to pledge total abstinence, instead opting for partial or short-term abstinence.

“Open air meetings were held on the Green until this site was found, ironically next to the pub. It was bought for £500, the building costs were £2,000.

“It opened in 1905, from about 1912 silent films were shown here, it continued with film shows as well as pantomimes and concerts.”

Temperance societies and Band of Hope groups, which aimed to prevent children drinking, became widespread around the country during the 19th century.