From shakespearean illustrations to Queen Elizabeth’s visit – here are 24 images of Wakefield and the Five Towns throughout the years, taken from the Getty archive.
5. The Rhubarb Triangle
Farmer Robert Tomlinson harvests forced rhubarb by candlelight on his farm in Pudsey, near Leeds in northern England on January 13, 2022. - Tomlinson's Farm falls within the 'Rhubarb Triangle', the area defined between the three cities of Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford, which is synonymous with the commercial growing of forced rhubarb since the 1870s. The rhubarb is grown in dark, heated sheds and harvested by candlelight to prevent the plant from producing chlorophyll, which preserves its colour and make the rhubarb sweeter and more tender. - TO GO WITH AFP STORY by Pauline FROISSART (Photo by OLI SCARFF / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY by Pauline FROISSART (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: OLI SCARFF
6. The Burning Well
Vintage illustration of The Burning Well near the Featherstone Station in the vicinity of Pontefract, 1861, 19th Century. It is believed to be caused by workers boring for coal. Photo: duncan1890
7. Sir Richard Ratcliffe at Pontefract Castle
Sir Richard Ratcliffe executing Lord Grey, Lord Rivers and Sir Thomas Vaughan at Pontefract Castle in Pontefract, England in Richard III from the works of William Shakespeare. Vintage etching circa mid 19th century. Photo: powerofforever
8. Pit Pony Parade
Pit boy jockeys on their way to the paddock at the Pit Pony Parade on August 4, 1925 and race meeting at Thorp near Wakefield, Yorkshire. (Photo by E. Bacon/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) Photo: E. Bacon