Farnhill Village Web Portal

A group of ladies at Crag Top; all dressed in their "Sunday best". We know some of their names but we don't know why the group assembled or when the photograph was taken. Perhaps one of you has a copy of this and can help us ?

If you can help with any of the missing names, or information on the event, please email Farnhill and Kildwick History Group.

Click the image opposite to view.
 

At the end of 2019 we asked if anyone could shed any light on the company responsible for this axle cap ? Now we've solved the mystery.

For details see our Mysteries page.

We thought you might to take a look at what other people have written about the history of Farnhill and Kildwick.

You can look at all the items or just read what we've just added - Pevsner on Kildwick (2009).

Aked’s Mill stood on the west side of Farnhill Main Street, on the site of what is now a terrace of private houses opposite the Institute; numbers 31 to 37. The mill was beset by financial problems and had a short life - but parts of it do have a continuing legacy. Our update to this article includes details of the arrival of industrial weaving in the village. Read here.

You may also like to read about the fires that destroyed two other Farnhill mills in 1905 and 1906. A slideshow is also available.

For over 100 years, between the mid-19th and the mid-20th century, almost all of life’s needs for local people were catered for by tradesmen and retailers based in Farnhill and Kildwick. In addition to relying on word of mouth, these businesses also advertised in local trade journals and almanacs.

Click the image opposite to view.

We've updated our article on the introduction of gas lamps in Kildwick.

Read our article and Cecil Snowden's memoir of the Lighting Committee by clicking below:

Lighting Kildwick - 1892 to 1919 (updated 25/7/2026)

A few of my Life's activities - a memoir by CR Snowden

The family of John Brigg MP (pictured), members of which lived as the tenants of Kildwick Hall from the 1880s to 1946, played a major part in the life of the village throughout that period.

Information about the history of this family prior to their arrival in the village is sparse, but a brief summary is available in the pages of “Textile Manufacture, and Other Industries, in Keighley” by John Hodgson, first published in 1879. Read them here.

As you might expect, the vicars of Kildwick were a mixed bunch; and this article has been subtitled "the good, the bad; the loved, the hated; and at least one who was of "unsound mind". You can read about them all here.

June 2026 marks 100 years since the death of Thomas Appleby who took on the role of headmaster of Kildwick School in 1900. From then until his death he became so involved in village life that his neighbours and friends thought he was worthy of no less than three memorials.

It seems appropriate to remind people about this remarkable man. Click here to read more about Thomas Appleby and the memorials erected to him.
 

The approach to St. Andrew’s Church from Kildwick bridge was a particular favourite of early photographers, and our archive contains a large number of images of this view taken throughout the 20th century.

For most of them it’s difficult to be precise about the date, but, by looking at small changes to the landscape over time, it is possible – for the majority – to suggest a sequence.

So here are some “Views from the Bridge”; some not quite from the bridge; and a few of the bridge itself.

In his wonderful two-part WWII memoir about his service aboard HMS Kildwick, see below, Cyril Dennis described how he was witness to the sinking of the MV Silvermaple. The History Group has recently been contacted by a relative of the captain of the Silvermaple with further information. Here's our full set of articles on the two fighting ships that carried the name HMS Kildwick:

HMS Kildwick

Part 1 of Cyril Dennis's wartime memoir
Part 2 of Cyril Dennis's wartime memoir

The sinking of the MV Silvermaple