1950
Library news: Reservation of Fiction is introduced in November.
Local news: Cliffe Castle is donated to Keighley by Sir Bracewell Smith.
National news: Petrol rationing ends; Princess Anne is born.
International news: India becomes a republic; Korean war begins; First kidney transplant.
1951
Library news: Reference Library receives the Snowden Memorial Library bequest.
Local news: Keighley’s celebrations for the Festival of Britain begin with a civil procession.
National news: Festival of Britain; First zebra pedestrian crossing; Pension payable at 60/65.
International news: Suez canal seized by British troops. Egypt rejects peace treaty with Britain.
1952
Library news: Bronze War Memorial plaque is unveiled in November by Lord Scarborough
to mark the
end of the 2nd World War.
Local news: Keighley and District’s Home for the Blind opens; Keighley is filmed for BBC programme, Home Town.
National news: Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap opens; First matchbox cars are produced; Death of George V1.
International news: First Miss World contest.
1953
Library news: Transparent plastic covers for books are introduced.
Local news: May/June - Coronation celebrations include a procession from Lund Park, fireworks in Victoria Park and a public television broadcast from the Municipal Hall; Cliffe Castle opens to the public.
National news: Coronation of Elizabeth II.
International news: Hillary and Tensing climb Mount Everest; Joseph Stalin dies.
1954
Library news: Commemoration of the opening of the Library in 1904. Special booklet
is produced about the Library; Becomes a member of the Association of Special
Libraries and Information Bureaux, for unusual enquiries.
Local news: Princess Royal opens Guard House and Bracken Bank schools; Baths Hall re-opens as the Queen’s Hall, after refurbishment.
National news: Roger Bannister completes a mile in less than 4 minutes; First MOT test.
International news: not available
1955
Library news: not available
Local news: not available
National news: Donald Campbell breaks water speed record.
International news: Albert Einstein dies; First MacDonald’s Restaurant opens in California.
1956
Library news: not available
Local news: 8 die in blaze at Keighley’s Eastwood Mills; Keighley Hippodrome closes; Strike at Sam Bedford’s stocking factory continues after a year.
National news: First Tetley teabags.
International news: Grace Kelly marries Prince Rainier of Monaco; Hungarian Uprising against Soviet Union.
1957
Library news: not available
Local news: New college extension opens; Provincial bus strike ends after 8 days; 75th anniversary of Keighley becoming a Borough; Gas lamps come down in Devonshire Street.
National news: First TV detector vans; Post office announces postcodes.
International news: Treaty of Rome – EEC formed with 6 countries; Sputnik 1; Sputnik 2 (Laika the dog)
1958
Library news: Photocopying service introduced.
Local news: Plans to develop Keighley Central Area are unveiled.
National news: First parking meters in Mayfair; First yellow lines.
International news: Charles de Gaulle is elected president of France; Pope John XXIII is crowned in Rome.
1959
Library news: Foundation stone for the library extension is laid which will
comprise a new children’s library, lecture hall and improved staff facilities;
New post of Children’s Librarian is taken by Miss Jean Simpson.
Local news: Water cuts 7pm to 7am
National news: M1 opened – no speed limit
International news: Fidel Castro becomes president of Cuba; First pictures of the dark side of the moon; First Barbie doll; Mini car.
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