Around the Town

1. Location: Keighley is a town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England, situated at the confluence of the rivers Aire and Worth.
2. Local Governance: Keighley Town Council is the local governing body responsible for overseeing and managing various aspects of community life within the town.
3. History: The town has a rich industrial history, particularly in textiles, with woollen mills playing a significant role in its development during the 19th century.
4. Population: As of the last available data, Keighley had a population of approximately 56,348 people.
5. Heritage Railway: Keighley is home to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, a preserved standard gauge branch line that runs through the Worth Valley and is popular for its nostalgic steam train rides.
6. Film Connection: The 2000 film “The Railway Children” was filmed in and around Keighley, utilising the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway as a backdrop.
7. Aire Valley: Keighley is part of the Aire Valley, known for its picturesque landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities.
8. Economy: Historically known for its textile industry, Keighley’s economy has diversified over the years, with manufacturing, retail and services playing key roles.
9. Cultural Events: Keighley hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating local heritage, arts and community spirit.
10. Cliffe Castle Museum: Located in nearby Keighley, Cliffe Castle Museum showcases artifacts, natural history exhibits and art collections.
11. Transportation Hub: Keighley has good transportation links, with a railway station connecting it to major cities like Leeds and Bradford.
12. Educational Institutions: The town is home to several educational institutions, contributing to the local community’s intellectual development.
13. Sporting Culture: Keighley has a strong sporting culture, with local teams participating in various sports, including rugby and football.
14. East Riddlesden Hall: A National Trust property, this historic manor house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers a glimpse into 17th-century life.
15. Keighley Civic Centre: The Civic Centre hosts events, exhibitions and community gatherings, contributing to the cultural life of Keighley.
16. Ingrow Loco Museum and Workshop: A railway museum that showcases steam and diesel locomotives, along with interactive exhibits and workshops.
17. Keighley Leisure Centre: A modern facility offering various recreational activities, including swimming, fitness classes and sports facilities.
18. Keighley Market: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Keighley’s market, where you can explore stalls offering fresh produce, crafts and a variety of goods.

The practice of awarding the Freedom of the Town dates back to the medieval practice of granting respected citizens freedom from serfdom. The tradition still lives on in the United Kingdom and other countries such as Ireland, Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.

It can also be granted by municipal authorities to military units which have earned the city’s trust; in this context, it is sometimes called the Freedom of Entry. This allows them the freedom to parade through the city or town, and is an affirmation of the bond between the regiment and the citizenry. The last regiment to be awarded this honour was the Yorkshire Regiment.

In today’s modern world, the title of “freeman” confers no special privileges but is the highest honour the Council can bestow upon a valued member of the community, a visiting celebrity or dignitary.

The most notable of those who have been made a freeman of Keighley is “Keighley Lad” Captain Sir Thomas Moore, popularly known as Captain Tom who became famous for his achievements raising money for charity in the run-up to his 100^th birthday during the Covid 19 pandemic.

He served in India during world war 2. After the war he was the managing director of a concrete company and was also a keen motorcycle racer. On the 6 April 2020, at the age of 99, he began to walk laps of his garden in aid of NHS Charities Together, with the aim of raising £1,000 by his hundredth birthday. In the course of his fundraising, he made many media appearances and became a popular household name in the United Kingdom.

On the morning of his hundredth birthday the total raised by his walk passed £30 million, and by the time the campaign closed at the end of that day the total had had increased to approximately £36 million pounds!

On 17 July 2020, he was knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle.

Town mayor, Councillor Peter Corkindale, said: “What Captain Moore has achieved is simply extraordinary and I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to him from his home town than to make him a Freeman. This isn’t an honour the council bestows on people lightly. His lifetime of service to our country is inspiring.”

On 6 January 2011 Keighley Town Council awarded Yorkshire Regiment Freedom of the Town. On 9 July 2011 members of the Yorkshire Regiment paraded from Alice Street to the Town Hall Square where the Town Mayor at the time Cllr Michael Westerman. The Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment Charles Dent DL inspected the troops and received the citizenship scroll from the Town Mayor on behalf of the people of Keighley.

The attestation read:

Keighley Town Council being mindful of the achievements and traditions of The Regiment in loyal and devoted service to our beloved

Sovereign and Country, and in order to perpetrate the close bonds of friendship and mutual respect which exists between the Town and the Regiment

do by these presents confer upon you Honrary Citizenship of the Town

And thereby the right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the Town on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed.