1800 - 1899

Abbreviations used for sources of information:

BNA – British Newspaper Archives
CiTP – Cleckheaton in Times Past by Margaret M Wood
RAB – Round about Bradford by William Cudworth
SVPP – Spen Valley Past & Present by Frank Peel
S2S – From Scales to Scholes by the Rev. David Wilding
S2SR – From Scales to Scholes (Revisited) by the Rev. David Wilding
SFT - The Spen Fame Trail, hosted by the Spen Valley Civic Society.
SG - Spenborough Guardian
SN - Source needed
SVC - Booklet on the Charter of Incorporation regarding the formation of Spenborough (author unknown)
TD - Various Trade Directories

1800
St. Peg Mill, Cleckheaton built (SN)

1801
Census for the Cleckheaton district taken (including Oakenshaw, Scholes, Wyke, Hunsworth & parts of Hartshead) 3207 occupants recorded. 

1802
Further Enclosure Act for Cleckheaton & Scholes (implemented 1806) (SVPP)

1803
Start of the Napoleonic wars.

1805
The Battle of Trafalgar.

1806 
The Turnpike Road from Millbridge to Cleckheaton opens (BNA)

26 Dec - Cleckheaton Independent Sunday School founded by Edward (Neddy) Dearnaley (BNA)

1807
Milton Row, Heckmondwike built at this time and so called after Lord Milton who was involved in one of most severely contested election campaign at the time (BNA)

1809
Thornton Brothers machine makers, Rawfolds founded (CiTP)

Heckmondwike Town school built on The Green (SVPP)

1810
Foundation stone laid for the Wesleyan Chapel at Dewsbury Road, Marsh, Cleckheaton (BNA)

1811
Census for the Cleckheaton district taken (including Oakenshaw, Scholes, Wyke, Hunsworth & parts of Hartshead) 3800 occupants recorded. 

Cleckheaton census taken. 1911 occupants recorded in 360 houses (SVPP)

Patrick Bronte becomes curate at Hartshead church (SVC)

12 Apr - Cleckheaton Wesleyan Methodist chapel opened at Marsh (BNA)

1812
12 Apr - Luddites attack Cartwright’s mill at Rawfolds (SVPP)

1813
Jan - John Walker was tried and hanged at York for his part in the Luddites attack on Cartwright's mill at Rawfolds. 16 others would also be capitally punished (SFT)

1815
Cleckheaton Congregational Chapel enlarged (BNA)

1816
29 Aug - Christ Church, Liversedge consecrated (SVPP)

1818
Liversedge National School (top of Knowler Hill) opened (SFT)

1819
School rooms added at Cleckheaton Congregational Chapel (BNA)

1820
Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton rebuilt after being in a “ruinous state” (CiTP)

New bridge built at Littletown (bottom of Knowler Hill?) (SVPP)

1821
Census for the Cleckheaton district taken (including Oakenshaw, Scholes, Wyke, Hunsworth & parts of Hartshead) 4815 occupants recorded. 

Cleckheaton census taken. 2436 occupants recorded in 430 houses (SVPP)

1822
27 May - A selection of sacred music was performed at Whitechapel, Cleckheaton to mark the occasion of a new organ.

1824
Scholes Methodist Chapel built (S2S)

1830
3 Mar - Foundation stone laid for St. James church, Heckmondwike (SVPP/BNA)

5 Mar - Foundation stone laid for St. John’s church, Cleckheaton (CiTP/BNA)

1831
Census for the Cleckheaton district taken (including Oakenshaw, Scholes, Wyke, Hunsworth & parts of Hartshead) 6113 occupants recorded. 

24 Sep - St. James, Heckmondwike consecrated by the Archbishop of York (BNA)

1832
22 Aug - St. John’s church, Cleckheaton  consecrated (CiTP/SVPP)

1834
Feb - Number of silver coins dated 1561 found in Cleckheaton (BNA)

30 Jun - Northern & Central Bank of England opens in Cleckheaton (BNA)

1 Jul - Northern & Central Bank of England opens in Gomersal (BNA)

20 Nov - A chimney, some 45 yards high, being built at the mill of Henry De Paiva in Heckmondwike, collapsed onto part of the building killing one girl and seriusly injuring two others (BNA)

1835
Building starts on The British School, Cleckheaton (SVPP/BNA)

1836
26 Aug - Opening of the British School, Cleckheaton (BNA)

The Cleckheaton Gas Company established (BNA/TD)

1837
Victoria Mills, Bradford Road, Cleckheaton (Andertons) built (CiTP)

Feb - The Cleckheaton Gas Company advertise for a works manager (BNA)

May - The Cleckheaton "Woolsorters' Society" established (BNA)

Jun - First Registrar for Births & Deaths in Cleckheaton appointed. Thomas Brook (BNA)

1838
20 Jul - Cleckheaton Mechanic’s Institute officially opened (SVPP/BNA)

8 Dec - Heckmondwike Mechanic’s institute established (SVPP)

1839
Whitechapel church organ demolished in “The great storm” (SN) 

Sir Joseph Radcliffe donates 2 acres of land at Roberttown for the use of a school, church & Parsonage house (BNA)

30 Sep - Foundation stone laid at Roberttown Centenary Wesleyan Chapel by the Rev. Thomas Padman, Superintendent of the Cleckheaton Circuit (BNA)

1840
Protests held around the Spen Valley against the new Corn Laws (BNA)

16 Mar - Foundation stone for a new blanket hall at Heckmondwike laid by the Earl of Mexbro' (BNA)

18 Dec - Rate-payers of Cleckheaton voted for the town to be lit at night (BNA)

1841
6 Jun - Census for the Cleckheaton district taken (including Oakenshaw, Scholes, Wyke & Hunsworth) 7607 occupants recorded in 1499 houses. 

1842
General strike, riots and upheaval in the area after Parliament reject a petition for higher wages, less working hours and factory legislation. Known as the Chartist “Plug Riots" (BNA/SVC). 

24 Jul - Opening of the Christian Brethren Chapel, The Nook, Cleckheaton (BNA)

1843
6 Mar - A petition, signed by 600 inhabitants of Cleckheaton, is presented to the House of Commons praying for a total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws (BNA)

1844
8 Apr - Foundation stone laid for All Saints church, Roberttown by Henry Roberson of Healds Hall (SVPP/BNA)

Numerous meetings are held regarding the proposed introduction of a rail link from Low Moor, Bradford to the Spen Valley. A local committee is formed with many local mill owners elected (BNA) 

1845
May - Go ahead given by Parliament for the Spen Valley railway line. Large celebrations take place in Cleckheaton with a large cannon fired repeatedly and a band played musical airs to cheers of the amassed crowds (BNA) 

Nov - A Cleckheaton road surveyor called Thomas Fawthrop stumbles on a much needed fresh water supply for the town (not known where). As a result, the townsfolk held a tea party at The Commercial Inn and pulled him around the town in a carriage with music and fireworks to honour his find (BNA)

13 Nov - All Saints, Roberttown consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Ripon (BNA)

Dec - The Registrar reports that there were 46 deaths recorded in Cleckheaton for the Jul-Aug-Sep quarter, an increase of 4 to the previous quarter, which is put down to a general increase in the population (BNA)

1846
Hunsworth Mills Cricket Club formed. The founder and first President is Richard Alfred Taylor. Would later become Cleckheaton Cricket & Bowling Club (BNA)

1847
Scholes National School established (S2S)

"Hooping cough" attributed as the cause of many of the increased number of deaths in the area (BNA) 

May - Work starts on the new railway line between Low Moor & Cleckheaton to Dewsbury. More than 500 workers are said to employed. Cases are also heard from individuals claiming compensation for the loss of land due to the works (BNA)

Nov - Work on the Cleckheaton railway line virtually grinds to a halt as labourers are discharged due to lack of funds (BNA)

1848
Spen Valley’s first newspaper, The Heckmondwike Repertory is issued (SVPP)

Feb - Two thirds of the earthworks & masonry along with a third of tunneling now completed for the Cleckheaton railway line (BNA)

12 Jul - Cleckheaton railway station opens as does the main line from Low Moor to Mirfield (CiTP)

Sep - Rail passengers complain that train trips are taking 3 times longer than coach and omnibus trips (BNA)

1849
Charlotte Bronte has her novel "Shirley" published. The book contains several characters and places based on real people and locations around the district (SVC)

21 Jun - Foundation stone laid for the new Masonic Hall, Heckmondwike by Charles Lee, Deputy Provincial Grand Master (BNA)

1850
1 Jan - Foundation stone laid at St. Mary's church, Gomersal by the Rev. Heald from Birstall (BNA)

1851
Census for the Cleckheaton district taken (including Oakenshaw, Scholes, Wyke, Hunsworth & parts of Hartshead) 9245 occupants recorded in 1837 houses. 

25 Mar - St. Mary’s church, Gomersal, consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Ripon (BNA)

4 Aug - Many thousands of Spen Valley people witness the marriage of "Little Billy" to Ruth Kent at Birstall Church.

Nov - "Cleckheaton Night Watch" formed by a number of local tradesmen to protect the village from a band of burglars. The group consisted of 108 members (BNA)

1852
Cleckheaton Old Cemetery, Whitcliffe Road opened (CiTP)

1853
9 Feb - Foundation stone for the new Wesleyan Chapel, Northgate, Cleckheaton laid by James Heald, Esq., of Stockport (BNA)

Oct - Start of the Crimean War.

Heckmondwike Local Board of Health formed.

1854
Perseverance Mills, Scholes built (S2SR)

14 Apr - Foundation stone for George Street Independent Chapel, Heckmondwike laid by Edwin Firth, Esq. (BNA)

23 Aug - Under the "new" Public Health Act of 1848, an inquiry was held in Cleckheaton regarding a number of issues including the state of sewerage & water supplies, the sanitary condition and number of inhabitants, state of burial grounds, lighting, paving and boundaries of the district (BNA)

Sep - Tradesmen and shopkeepers in Cleckheaton unanimously agree to close their shops earlier during the winter months to allow assistants a little time for recreation. New closing time will be at 7pm, except Saturdays when it will be 10pm (BNA)

14 Nov - Notice was given by Cleckheaton's bellman of the increase in price of milk to tuppence ha'penny per quart (BNA)

Dec - Woollen manufacturers in Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Batley have received orders for 30,000 blankets and 20,000 rugs to be supplied to soldiers in the Crimea (BNA)

1855
Feb - Many woollen & worsted factories at Cleckheaton & Heckmondwike are running on short time and fears that many will close down unless the situation improves (BNA)

22 Aug - A new organ, built by Mr. Hopkinson of Birstal, was opened at George Street Independent Chapel, Heckmondwike (BNA)

1856
The Cleckheaton Advertiser, newspaper, first issued by John Siddall (SVPP)

26 Jun - Gas rate of 3d in the pound on buildings and 1d for land set at Bradford Court for the ensuing year for Cleckheaton (BNA)

26 Jun - Highway rate of 6d in the pound set at Bradford Court for the ensuing year for Scholes (BNA)

1857
17 Jul - Foundation stone laid for Providence Place Chapel, Cleckheaton laid by Frank Crossley (of Crossley's Carpets, Halifax fame) Esq., MP (CiTP/SVPP)

4 Sep - Huge fire at Taylor's Mill, Hunsworth. Huge amount of damage caused and all machinery lost along with many parts of the mill. (BNA)

1858
May - Foundation stone for the new Independent Sunday and day schools attached to Upper Chapel, Heckmondwike laid by Edwin Firth, Esq. (BNA)

7 Sep - Queen Victoria goes to Leeds. Tradesmen around the Spen Valley agree to close their shops for the day so that people can make the trip to see her (BNA)

1859
18 May - Providence Place Congregational Chapel, Cleckheaton opens (CiTP/BNA)

1860
27 Feb 1860 - An unknown donor held a feast at the Rose & Crown Inn, Cleckheaton for 13 elderly gentleman of the town, whose combined ages amounted to 932 years. The eldest being 85 (BNA)

6 Apr - Providence Place Chapel, Cleckheaton gets a new organ. Opening was attended by 2000 people (BNA)

25 Apr - The new cemetery at Heckmondwike is consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon. The first interment takes place in May (SVPP) 

1861
The Cleckheaton Co-operative Society started in business (CiTP)

7 Apr - Census for Cleckheaton township records 4942 residents (BNA)

7 Apr - Census for Scholes township records 1054 residents (BNA)

7 Apr - Census for Oakenshaw township records 235 residents (BNA)

7 Jun - The Rev. Patrick Bronte dies at Haworth aged 84 (BNA)

Dec - A farmer, local to Cleckheaton, unearths a jar in his field which contains many ancient silver coins (BNA)

1862
Moor Bottom School (St. Luke’s) was built (CiTP)

Apr - Opening of a battery of four 32lb cannons located on the hill at Joan Royd, Heckmondwike. A salute of 80 rounds was fired followed by a banquet at Orchard Mill, the drill shed (BNA)

19 May - Two men killed as a result of a large explosion at Moor End chemical works, Cleckheaton (BNA)

23 Dec - An accident occurred in the 300 yard long Oakenshaw tunnel on the Cleckheaton, Spen Valley Line. About 70 yards of the roof collapsed. Several people suffered bruising when a train passing through had to stop suddenly (BNA) 

1863
Drinking fountain erected in Heckmondwike market place to celebrate the marriage of the Prince of Wales (SVPP)

20 Mar - First meeting of the newly constituted Cleckheaton Local Board (BNA/SVC)

1864
Birkenshaw Local Board constituted (SVC)

25 Mar - Foundation stone for the new Independent Chapel at Westgate, Heckmondwike laid by Mrs Frank Sykes of Cleckheaton. The site of the new chapel was on that of the old Lower Independent Chapel, which had been recently demolished (BNA)

1865
11 Mar - Tenders are requested for the building of a Police Station at Cleckheaton (BNA)

17 Apr - Foundation stone for the new Sunday School at Brooke Street, Cleckheaton was laid by William B Birkby of Rawfolds. Contractor for the masonry work was George Welby (BNA)

18 May - Foundation stone laid for the new Parkside Methodist Church, Heckmondwike (BNA) 

18 Oct - Explosion at Spen Mills, Cleckheaton. Caused by a gas leak, windows were blown out and Arthur Firth, owner of the premises, was burnt about his face (BNA)

Dec - An outbreak of "cattle plague" in the district affects many local farmers who had to destroy numerous beast to prevent the spread (BNA)

Spen Victoria Cricket Club established (BNA)

1866
Jun - Sunday School in Brooke Street, Cleckheaton opened (CiTP)

10 Sep - Ratepayers of Scholes vote unanimously to become separated from the Cleckheaton Local Board (BNA)

1867
19 Jan - Foundation stone laid for Broomfield Chapel, Moor Bottom by Mrs. Henry Shaw (BNA)

4 May - Cleckheaton Fire Service established. Premises at Northgate (CiTP)

26 Jun - A motion was passed at a meeting of the Cleckheaton Industrial Self-Help Society for the construction of a new Co-operative store in the town (BNA)

Jul - The Cleckheaton Guardian founded by John Firth (SVPP/BNA)

28 Nov - Cleckheaton Market officially opened. It had been established through public subscription on land provided by Edward Atkinson of Spen. There were between 30-40 stalls. The event was attended by 3 to 4,000 spectators. (CiTP)

1868
A Band of Hope is established in connection with the Sunday School at Providence Place Chapel, Cleckheaton (BNA)

Feb - A burglary took place at the butcher's dept. of the old Cleckheaton Co-op. Property stolen...a dozen pork pies! (BNA)

Oct - Opening of Heckmondwike Working Men's Club (BNA)

12 Dec - Cleckheaton Co-operative Hall, Market Street, opened by George Anderton. (CiTP/BNA)

1869
6 Mar - A handsome new clock is installed to the front of the Co-operative buildings in Cleckheaton. Built by Mr. Walshaw of Knaresborough at a cost of about £100. It strikes on the hour and is illuminated at night (BNA)

24 Jul - The first Cleckheaton Agricultural Show, in connection with the Cleckheaton Agricultural, Horticultural & Floral Society was held at Tofts Field, just below the cemetery and which was attended by between 4 & 5,000 people. (BNA)

Aug - Drapers in Cleckheaton unanimously agree to close their shops at 1pm on a Wednesday afternoon so that assistants and apprentices could have a half-day holiday for healthy recreation and pleasure (BNA)

1870
Scholes Cricket club formed around this time (S2S)

2 Jan - A passenger train from Bradford is in collision with a stationary goods train just outside of Cleckheaton railway station. Several passengers were injured, but none seriously (BNA)

5 Feb - Telegraph service becomes part of the post office at Cleckheaton (BNA)

Mar - Drapers in Cleckheaton abandon the Wednesday half-day closing due to competition in the area and the inconvenience felt by locals (BNA) 

7 May - Cleckheaton Temperance Hall opened at Railway Street (BNA)

7 Jun - A train excursion to Blackpool from Cleckheaton, in connection with the Sunday School at Providence Place, was involved in a serious de-railing incident near Blackburn. There were numerous people injured, some seriously and later two would die from their injuries (BNA)

11 Aug - Cleckheaton gas works purchased by the Local Board at a cost of £23, 562 (SVFP/BNA)

17 Sep - Opening of the newly built Oddfellows Hall at Old Robin, Cleckheaton (BNA)

1871
The Cleckheaton Co-operative Society open another branch at Moor End as well as building several houses at the same location (BNA)

16 Feb - A Cleckheaton man appeared at Bradford court charged with bigamy. It was alleged that he had a total of FOUR wives. His first one still living (BNA)

19 Mar - Early on Sunday morning local residents around the Spen Valley felt the "rumblings" of an earthquake in the Leeds area (BNA)

7 Apr - Foundation stone laid for the new Congregational Chapel at Doghouse by George Kelly of Heckmondwike (BNA)

5 May - The ratepayers of Cleckheaton held a meeting with a view to making an application to form a school board for the township (BNA)

3 Jun - A Poll regarding the formation of a School Board for the township of Cleckheaton showed that a majority of 117 had voted against the matter (BNA) 

23 Oct - The firm of Thornton Brothers, Marsh Mills, become the first local company to adopt a 9 hour working day or 54 hour week (BNA)

10 Nov - A new Primitive Methodist Chapel at Hightown was opened by the Rev. Thomas Newell of Leeds (BNA)

26 Dec - A large explosion caused by the build up of fire-damp in an old disused well in Cross Crown Street, Cleckheaton, caused extensive damage to many houses in the locality, although no injuries were reported (BNA)

1872
An outbreak of small pox starts to take hold in Cleckheaton. It continues for several months with several deaths resulting (BNA)

2 Feb - Battye Street school, Heckmondwike opened (SVPP)

21 May - Foundation stone laid for the new Moravian Chapel, Heckmondwike by Henry Oates, Esq. who had provided the land along with a large subscription (BNA)

6 Jul - Opening of a new omnibus service between The Market Place at Heckmondwike & The Star Inn at Littletown, an idea by the local Trade Association. The cost of the journey was set at one penny. (BNA)

18 Aug - A new Act regarding the closure of public houses in Cleckheaton came into force. Opening hours were now: Mon-Sat: 6am to 11pm. Sundays: 12.30pm-2.30pm & 6pm-10pm.

1873
Jan - Foundation stone laid for the Wesleyan Chapel, Oakenshaw (BNA)

13 Mar - Death at Southport of Mr. George Anderton, J.P., of the firm George Anderton & Sons, Cleckheaton (BNA)

19 Apr - Opening of the new National School at Moor End, Cleckheaton. The building had cost about £1400, of which, almost £1000 had been raised by subscription. (BNA)

4 Jun - Ratepayers of Hunsworth hold a meeting and decide to adopt the Local Government Act 1858 and form the Hunsworth Local Board (BNA)

19 Jun - Opening services commence at the new Moravian Chapel, Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike by the Rev. La Trobe, Ockbrook, Bishop of the Moravian Church (BNA)

25 Jul - Prospect Mills at Scholes, occupied by Joseph Sellers and Taylor Brothers was completely destroyed by fire, mainly attributed to the lack of water in the locality. Value of the damaged reported to be in excess of £4000.  (BNA)

17 Oct - First meeting of the Hunsworth Local Board. James Oddy elected as Chairman (BNA)

1874
Scholes Liberal Club established (S2S)

2 Feb - Battye Street, School, Heckmondwike opened (BNA)

17 Feb - Foundation stone laid for Westgate Congregational Chapel, Cleckheaton by Sir James Watts of Manchester (SVPP/BNA)

23 Feb - Foundation stone for the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Quaker Lane/Westgate, Cleckheaton laid by Mr R. Kelly (BNA)

Mar - A group of children playing in Whitechapel Lane, Cleckheaton found about 90 silver coins from the reign of Queen Elizabeth (BNA)

30 May - A Primitive Methodist Chapel was opened at Cleckheaton. No other details, but presumably this is the one at Quaker Lane? (BNA)

19 Sep - Tenders are invited for the works required for the erection of a new Masonic Temple in Cleckheaton (BNA)

23 Sep - Opening of the new Wesleyan Chapel at Oakenshaw, on land donated by Sir Mathew Wilson, Lord of the Manor. It cost in the region of £1900. (BNA)

30 Nov - Foundation stone for the Christian Brethren Chapel & Sunday School at Dam Nook, Cleckheaton laid by Miss Carver of Ash House (BNA)

17 Dec - Tenders put out for the construction of Central Chapel in Cleckheaton (BNA)

1875
Heckmondwike Town school, The Green demolished (SVPP)

31 Jan - A new organ built by Mr. Booth of Wakefield, was opened at St. John's church, Cleckheaton (BNA)

17 Mar - A delegation from various townships propose that the tolls on the road from Oakenshaw to Millbridge be abolished (BNA)

19 Apr - First meeting of the Liversedge Local Board. William Scholes elected as Chairman (BNA)

10 May - First meeting of the Gomersal Local Board (BNA)

26 May - A rabid dog at Hunsworth Mills was shot dead (BNA)

26 Jun - Foundation stone for Central Chapel, Cleckheaton laid by the Mayor of Bradford, Alderman Mitchell (BNA)

10 Jul - Foundation stone of the Primitive Methodist Sunday School, Hightown laid by Joseph Hargreaves Oddy (BNA)

Oct - 2 days of incessant rain cause havoc in the district. With the Spen River swollen, it floods many fields and roads in low lying areas (BNA)

13 Nov - Foundation stone for the new United Methodist Free Church Sunday School laid (BNA)

19 Nov - A new organ, built by Kirkland & Co., Wakefield, was opened at Heckmondwike Moravian Chapel by Fred Bentley (BNA)

26 Nov - The first exhibition of the Cleckheaton Chrysanthemum Society took place at the Co-op Hall in Cleckheaton with over 100 entries (BNA)

1876
29 Jan - A young girl dies from rabies in Cleckheaton, after being bitten at Christmas on the face by a dog which later attacked several other people (BNA)

13 Feb - A further young boy at Oakenshaw dies from rabies after being attacked in October last year. The dog, on this occasion, was shot dead by a farmer (BNA)

24 Mar - A Hightown man is convicted of attempting to de-rail a train near to Oakenshaw earlier in the year. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment (BNA)

25 Apr - Congregational Chapel, Westgate, Cleckheaton opened (CiTP/BNA)

1 May - Central infants school, Heckmondwike opened (SVPP)

3 Jun - Foundation stone laid at St. Philip & St. James, Scholes by Mr Harold Hardy of Low Moor (S2S/BNA)

20 Dec - A house in Whitcliffe, Cleckheaton, is badly damaged in a gas explosion. A neighbour, who had smelt the gas, went in search of the leak with a lighted candle...and found it!! (BNA) 

1877
22 Jan - A huge fire totally destroys Butts Mill, Spen lane, Gomersal. Damage estimated at £15,000 was caused (BNA)

27 Feb - Death of the Rev. John Seaton of St. John's Church, Cleckheaton. He was the first vicar at this location and held his post for 44 years (BNA)

14 Apr - A large mill at Rawfolds, belonging to John Blakelock & Son, flannel and blanket manufacturers, was completely destroyed by fire. The premises were once owned by Mr Cartwright and was the scene of the Luddite attacks in 1812 (BNA)

11 Sep - First meeting of the newly formed Spen Valley United Drainage Board. A board formed from members of the Cleckheaton, Gomersal, Heckmondwike, Liversedge and North Bierley Local Boards to jointly deal with drainage and sewage issues along the Spen Beck area (BNA)

Nov - Oakenshaw becomes a separate Parish (SVPP)

2 Nov - John Abbey, a reporter for a Cleckheaton newspaper, wins a poetry competition in Wigan. The poem was set to music and was sung before a crowded audience at the Alexandra Hall. Proceeds of event were in aid of the recent colliery explosion at Pemberton (BNA)

12 Dec - St. Philip & St. James church, Scholes consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon (SVPP/S2S/BNA)

1878
First post office established in Scholes (S2SR)

Scholes first supplied with gas by the North Bierley company (S2SR)

16 Jan - For several weeks, donations had been collected around the Cleckheaton district for a serious famine in India. Almost £800 had been raised (BNA) 

13 Feb - Cleckheaton Chamber of Commerce established. Elymas Wadsworth being voted as the first President (BNA)

Mar - Scholes Methodist Chapel foundation stone laid by Samuel Law of Cleckheaton (S2S/BNA)

Mar - The new Parish of St. Luke's, Cleckheaton was formed from severed parts of St. John's, Whitechapel and Christ Church. A new church will be erected and the Low Moor Company donate over 2000 yards of land for the purpose (BNA)

17 Apr - A large public meeting held at the Co-operative Hall in Cleckheaton unanimously carried a proposal that all public houses in England & Ireland should close all day on Sundays. Petitions were signed for forwarding to the House of Commons (BNA)

22 May - The opening of a new organ at the Christian Brethren Chapel at Cleckheaton took place. The cost of the organ was £200 and was built by Tomlinson Bros. of Blackpool (BNA)

Jun - Post Office at Oakenshaw established in the premises of Dan Holmes, grocer (BNA)

12 Aug - New infant school at Hightown opened (BNA)

4 Nov - All schools in the village of Scholes are ordered to close for 3 weeks owing to an epidemic of scarlet fever that is raging in the area (BNA) 

23 Nov - A new Temperance Hall at Crown Street, Cleckheaton is opened (BNA)

1879
20 Jan - Cleckheaton Central Chapel opened (BNA)

24 Mar - Scholes Methodist Chapel opened at a cost of around £2000 (BNA)

4 Apr - A large explosion occurred at Henry Ellison's Flatt Lane (Whitechapel) Chemical Works. A vat, weighing several tons, was blown some 100 yards. Only some slight injuries were reported (BNA)

15 Apr - Scholes Temperance Hall opened at a cost of £627. (S2S/BNA)

24 Nov - New Infant school at Millbridge opened (BNA)

25 Nov - The Dean of Ripon opens the "Iron Church" (forerunner of St. Luke's) at Moor Bottom, Cleckheaton (BNA)

1880
23 Oct - Conservative club at Oakenshaw formally opened (BNA)

16 Dec - The first Boer War starts

1881
Feb - Plans submitted by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company for the construction of a new railway station at Cleckheaton (BNA)

5 Nov - A Cleckheaton man is killed at Spen Bank when a cannon, being fired to celebrate the Gunpowder Plot, exploded (BNA) 

1882
Mar - The Cleckheaton Guardian, now in it's 16th year of publication, costs one halfpenny and is distributed weekly with over 5000 copies (BNA)

1 Apr - An extensive fire at West End Mills, Cleckheaton caused upwards of £20,000 damage (BNA)

Jun - Finishing touches were put to the new railway station at Cleckheaton which had been under construction for the last 12 months (BNA)

Dec - A heavy snow storm hits the Spen Valley district. The body of a Hightown girl is later found in a snow drift (BNA)

1883
8 Jan - It was proposed by the Cleckheaton Local Board that Cleckheaton should have a Town Hall (BNA)

17 Nov - Friends Meeting House (Quaker), Scholes opened (S2SR)

1884
5 Jan - A new library for Cleckheaton opens in a block of buildings behind the Co-operative Society at Moor End. In the same block is a reading room with newspapers and periodicals. The company announce that 2.5% of their profits is devoted to education (BNA)

4 Feb - At a meeting of the Heckmondwike Antiquarian Society, A Mr Nutter of Cleckheaton, produced upwards of 120 coins which he had found some years ago in Whitcliffe and some of which dated back to the reign of Edward IV (1461-1483) (BNA) 

6 May - A five day long exhibition is opened at premises formerly known as Albion Baths in Crown Street, Cleckheaton by exhibitors showing different types of appliances that can be used for heating, cooking, lighting etc. by gas. (BNA)

26 May - A new organ was opened at St. Luke's church, Cleckheaton (BNA)

1885
John Wesley Hillard (founder of Lion Stores, Cleckheaton) starts business in the grocery trade (CiTP)

13 Jan - An explosion occurred at the Cleckheaton Gas Works and causes a large amount of damage. Fortunately no-one was injured (BNA)

14 Feb - A new Liberal Club at Oakenshaw is opened by Mr T. F. Firth of Heckmondwike (BNA)

18 Mar - A member of the Salvation Army was killed whilst on a march from Cleckheaton to Wyke, when a horse was startled by the music and ran into the procession with its carriage. Numerous others were injured and musical instrument destroyed (BNA)

9 May - West End Park was opened at Cleckheaton by B. H. Goldthorpe, Chairman of the Local Board. There was a large attendance and the Cleckheaton Brass Band played music. The plot of land was formerly known as the "America field" and was the property of the Low Moor Company who agreed to let the field at £14 per year (BNA)

Jun - A committee is formed to consider the question of providing a Town Hall for Cleckheaton (BNA)

26 Nov 1885 - New sewage works are opened near Smithies in Liversedge, at a cost of between £30-40,000. 

1886
A new iron bridge is opened in Whitcliffe Road, not only straightening out the road but replacing a most inconvenient stone bridge which had been built in 1847 when the railway line was opened. The old bridge was demolished by means of dynamite and large crowds gathered to witness the event (BNA)

 1 May - Resolution passed by the Cleckheaton Local Board for purchase of land in Flatt Lane (Whitechapel Road) for the site of the new Gas Works as the current site at Marsh cannot be extended further (BNA)

9 Aug - Parts of Cleckheaton are for the first time, lit by "Avery" gas. An American invention which produces superior and cheaper gas from oil instead of coal. It is believed this was the first attempt in the country to use this gas as a heating and lighting agent (BNA)

11 Oct - Corner stone of the new nave at St. John's church, Cleckheaton was laid by Lord Halifax (BNA)

4 Dec - Foundation stone for Cleckheaton Conservative Club, is laid by Fred Ellis of Batley, President of the Divisional Association (BNA)

1887
7 Jan - The Cleckheaton Guardian, in a new enlarged form, has it's price raised to 1d (BNA)

9 May - Plans passed for a new Co-operative store and four cottages at Scholes Lane End, Hartshead Moor (BNA)

14 May - Foundation stone laid for the new Moravian School in Heckmondwike by Miss L. M. Oates (BNA)

20 Jun - Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Numerous events of commemoration take place around the Spen Valley (BNA)

22 Oct - Foundation stone laid for St. Luke’s church, Moor Bottom, Cleckheaton by the Bishop of Ripon, Dr. Boyd-Carpenter (CiTP/SVPP/BNA)

30 Nov - Opening of the Cleckheaton Conservative Club built on the corner of Albion Street and Bradford Road, by the Viscount Lewsiham, MP (CiTP/BNA)

1888
Cleckheaton National School demolished to make way for the new Town Hall (CiTP)

17 Mar - Foundation stone for St. Andrew's church, Oakenshaw laid by Mrs Lawrence Hardy (BNA)

14 Apr - Corner stones laid for the new Wesleyan Sunday School at Hightown (BNA)

18 Aug - Zion Primitive Methodist Chapel, Moorend Lane, Kilpin Hill was opened. It was an iron structure for 200 seats and cost £270 (BNA)

29 Sep - Foundation stone for the Wesleyan Chapel, Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton laid by Mr. William Anderton (BNA)

5 Nov - Foundation stone for the new Upper Independent Chapel, Heckmondwike was laid by Thomas Freeman Firth (BNA)

1889
3 Jan - Whitcliffe Road British School, Cleckheaton opened (BNA)

24 Apr - St. Andrew’s church, Oakenshaw consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon (SVPP/BNA)

27 May - St. Luke’s church, Moor Bottom, Cleckheaton consecrated (SVPP)

28 Jun - A burial takes place at Whitechapel church of Nathaniel "Nat" Charlton of Scholes. He was an internationally very well known clown of the day, performing high stilt acts, tumbling whilst playing the violin and other tricks. How did he end up in Scholes?! (BNA)

2 Oct - Wesleyan Chapel, Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton opened (CiTP)

2 Oct - Opening of the new iron church at St. Saviour, Heckmondwike. Built in memory of the Rev. Carter and was previously located at St. Luke, Cleckheaton (BNA)

1890
A vaccination "census" was carried in Cleckheaton and householders were asked if they approve of vaccination and if it should be compulsory. Over 1800 replies were made and were overwhelmingly against such measures (BNA)

19 Mar - Hartshead Moor Wesleyan Chapel opened by the Rev. G Stringer Rowe, Principal of Headingley College. The chapel would seat 220 and there was a small school room beneath it. (S2S)

Apr - Excavation work starts on the cellaring and foundations for the new Town Hall at Cleckheaton (BNA)

3 May - Cleckheaton swimming baths, Tofts Road formally opened by Mr. Benjamin Holdsworth Goldthorp. Total cost of the build being £4,500. Earlier public baths had been located as early as 1876 at the Temperance Hotel off Crown Street.  (CiTP/BNA)

17 May - "Charging" ceremony of the gas holder at the new gas works in Whitechapel Road, Cleckheaton. The holder has a capacity of 500,000 cubic feet. The ceremony was performed by William Isherwood, who for a great time, while the works were constructed, was Chairman of the Gas Committee of the Local Board (BNA) 

21 Jun - Foundation stone for the new Cleckheaton Town Hall laid by William Anderton (CiTP/BNA)

12 Jul - A new cricket pavilion, at a cost of £100, was opened at Spen Victoria Cricket Club by the President of the club, Mr. Charles Atkinson. A match had been arranged to mark the occasion but had to be cancelled because of the rain! (BNA)

21 Oct - Upwards of 700 people attended a special meeting by the Cleckheaton Co-operative Society who were considering the closure of seven of their newsrooms & libraries in the district. Only 20 persons present voted for the idea (BNA)

1891
Cleckheaton Fire Service move premises to Bradford Road/Chapel Street (CiTP)

14 Mar - Foundation stone of the North Bierley Joint Hospital laid by Samuel Firth, Chairman of the Board (BNA)

6 Apr - First drill meeting of the newly formed Cleckheaton Volunteers held at the temporary venue of Central Mills (BNA)

21 May - Death of Elymas Wadsworth, Broomfield Mills (BNA)

1892
Building starts on the viaduct over Mann dam, Cleckheaton (CiTP)

10 Feb - Cleckheaton Town Hall opened by Joseph Law. Cost of the build £14,000, £6,000 being from the public (CiTP/SVC)

24 Feb - Chimney disaster at Marsh Mills, Rawfolds. Numerous fatalities/injuries (SVPP/BNA)

28 May - Foundation stone laid for St. Barnabas, Hightown by Mr. Walter Freeman of Knaresborough (BNA/SVPP)

14 Sep - A new shooting range at Oakenshaw, for use by the Cleckheaton Volunteers, was opened by the wife of Captain Mowat (BNA)

15 Oct - North Bierley Joint Hospital was formally opened by Mr. Arthur Anderton of Cleckheaton. The building cost £8,500 (BNA)

15 Oct - After several days of incessant rain, the area between Cleckheaton & Millbridge is completely flooded. Many mills had to close down (BNA)

5 Nov - A new public clock with chimes presented as a memorial to Elymas Wadsworth was added to tower of the new Cleckheaton Town Hall and was started by Annie Wadsworth, his daughter (BNA)  

Dec - Drill Hall, Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton built (CiTP/BNA)

1893
6 Jan - Death of John Siddall, founder of the Cleckheaton Advertiser, newspaper (BNA)

15 Apr - Opening of Liversedge Constitutional Club, Millbridge by Fred Ellis, J.P. (BNA)

21 Sep - St. Barnabas Church, Hightown consecrated by the Rev. Dr. Walsham How, Bishop of Wakefield (BNA)

1894
19 May - Bowling green at Spen Victoria, Cleckheaton opened (CiTP)

19 Jul - Birkenshaw Local Board pass plans for a new Mission Chapel at Drub (BNA)

28 Jul - Memorial stones for the new Mission chapel at Drub were laid by Mrs. Arthur Anderton and Mr William Anderton, J.P. The new building will cost about £700 of which £500 has already been raised (BNA)

25 Aug - Memorial stone for the new laboratory at the Mechanic's Institute in Brooke Street, Cleckheaton was laid by Mrs Joseph Law (BNA)

Dec - Each of the Districts of the Local Boards become Urban Districts (SVC)

22 Dec - One of the worst storms in living history swept across England. More than 200 perished in the event. Locally, much damage was caused around the Spen Valley to buildings with damage caused to roofs, chimneys demolished and windows blown in (BNA)

1895
4 Jan - First meeting of the newly formed Cleckheaton Urban District Council. Benjamin Holdsworth Goldthorp elected as Chairman (BNA)

31 Dec - Cleckheaton Fire Station was connected to the local telephone exchange. It also considered connecting lines to the homes of firemen (BNA)

1896
South Parade School, Cleckheaton was opened (BNA)

1897
14 Aug - A new bowling green was opened at Cleckheaton Cricket & Bowling Club by Mr. Fred Law, the club's President (BNA)

17 Nov - A new Sunday School connected to Central Chapel, Cleckheaton was opened by Sir Weetman Pearson, M.P. (BNA)

17 Nov - Scholes Liberal Club is opened by Sir Weetman Pearson (BNA)

1898                      
30 Aug - Heckmondwike Grammar School opened by Thomas Freeman Firth (BNA)

1899
4 Jan - A new organ, built by Abbott & Smith of Leeds at a cost of £600, was opened at Roberttown Wesleyan Chapel (BNA)

2 Oct - Opening of the new West Riding Union Bank at the junction of Northgate and Market Street, Cleckheaton. Premises of a Gothic design by Messrs. Howorth and Howorth, architects, Cleckheaton (BNA)

11 Oct - The second Boer War starts

14 Oct - Opening of the new Liberal Club, Heckmondwike by Mr. T.P. Whittaker MP. Premises had previously been the School Board offices and prior to that the Heckmondwike Working Men's Club (BNA)