Huddersfield waves of nostalgia in ’12 things we don’t see anymore’ as times change

Those of a certain age will remember the 1970s and 1980s – and decades before – with a certain fondness.

Huddersfield has changed enormously over the years, not all for the better, and while we’ve gained a lot, we’ve lost so much, from well-loved shops to once-popular pubs and clubs. And, of course, many of the “strange characters” are no longer with us.

Here’s my take on the things that are gone forever but we’re still nostalgic about.

Ben Shaws pop bottles

Ok, so you can still buy Ben Shaw’s fizzy pop. But I still long for the days of 10p refunds on large bottles. It was so environmentally friendly and a nice little income for sharp-eyed schoolchildren.

Work buses

Older people still shudder at the thought of getting on a Kenmargra coach and nodding to the gray-haired driver.

They were legendary workhorses in the school run and boozy outings for the rugby and football clubs. And now it’s long gone.

Old school clubs

There were so many good daytime clubs for late morning drinking and dancing. Johnny’s, Videotech, Adega, Calisto’s, Visage and Ethos, Amsterdam, Changing Lights, Coach House and so on. Who would like another night of karaoke at Johnny’s while sipping bitters from a pint glass?

Suitable characters

Didn’t the old town have more characters? And let’s not miss the eccentric personalities who could always be counted on to upset people and make us laugh in equal measure. RIP Jake Magle-Wurzel and all.

A pint on top of the world

Ok, so it might not have been the best drink in town, but it had some style and the best views.

Oh, for one last pint in the Castle Hill Hotel, but sadly it’s gone forever and is now just a fading memory.

Human Examiner Gordon Hewitt

Newsagent Gordon Hewitt was once part of Huddersfield town centre’s ‘furniture and fittings’ and instantly stood out in his trademark coat. He was obsessively frugal and left his fortune of £250,000 to his six girlfriends. RIP Gordon.

Disappearing stores

Stores come and go, some disappear forever. I have fond memories of browsing through the vinyl record cases at Stubbs’ thrift store in Beast Market. There were many more stores selling used and new vinyl, cassettes and then CDs. Some of them smelled a bit damp. But you could get Two Tone, punk, mod and classic Sixties records at pocket-friendly prices.

Then you might wander into Woolworths, BHS, Suggs Sport, Bostocks, Harvester… the list goes on.

Get your feet wet

The children’s pool at Greenhead Park was great fun as a child and again as a parent. Unfortunately, it has not been open for some time due to safety concerns.

Space Invaders

I remember two arcades downtown where you could insert 10p coins into machines like Space Invaders, Galaxian, Pac-Man, and OutRun. I think there was one under Alassio’s cafe and another in an alley off Lord Street. Mostly good memories apart from the time a 1.8 guy said to me “Give me a 10p or I’ll cut your face off”.

Tables long lost

Think of all the restaurants that no longer exist and choose just one to travel back in time for one final meal. I’d go for the Mandarin, a Chinese restaurant where a business lunch in the mid-1980s would set you back around £2.50.

Photo trip

“Do you want a trip to the Pictures?” It sounds like a question from the 1940s, but it’s something I still say today. There were dozens of theaters and cinemas in Huddersfield. Who remembers ABC and Classic? Saturday matinees, 1960s throwback movies and even slots where you could grab an ice cream.

Leeds Road Football

Modern football grounds are fine, but City fans of a certain era still look back on the old Leeds Road ground with great fondness. The turnstiles, the cow garden, the bad language, not to mention the hooliganism. Not all of them were to be celebrated, but they were certainly character-building. We don’t see Frank Worthington or Ray Wilson anymore, but Town fans will never forget them.

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