Longley Farm, Triangle

Longley Farm was bought by the Halifax Children’s Welfare League in 1923 for £700 and was used as a holiday home until 1937 when a new purpose built building was completed. . In 1911 a group of 10 like-minded local societies , concerned about the extremely poor living conditions of many children in the borough of Halifax, came together to form the Halifax Children’s Welfare League. Their intention was to raise funds to enable some children to be given 2 weeks holiday in the local countryside, where they would benefit from nourishing food and fresh air. The first holiday homes were at Stones Farm (Deerstones?), Triangle (1911 -1918) and Thunderton Farm, Sowerby (1918-1923). Stones Farm was described as being in “a grand open situation, commanding magnificent views of the Ryburn Valley”. It accommodated 10 children at a time. From the beginning, the Mayor and Mayoress of Halifax were involved and each year it was invariably one of them who opened the holiday home at the start of the season, usually in April or May, and this was normally reported in the local press. In 1923 the Welfare League took the decision to purchase Longley Farm at Norland, which came with 30 acres of land. It was reported that the date 1735 was carved into the lintel over the door, but this is now, I assume, hidden by the later addition of a porch. The price was around £700, a mortgage was obtained which was paid off in 18 months. The League benefited from having generous supporters among the worthy folk of the borough, but also a lot of effort was put into raising funds through flag days, whist drives, concerts etc. Collections were also made at rugby games at Thrum Hall. The holiday home at Longley Farm was officially opened on Saturday 5th May 1923 by the Mayor and Mayoress of Halifax (Cllr and Mrs A W Longbottom). Alongside “quite a large crowd of folk”, the dignitaries included Sir Harold Mackintosh, who was given the task of unlocking the door, and Bishop Frodsham, the vicar of Halifax , who dedicated the building. The comprehensive report of the opening in the Halifax Evening Courier on 7th May stated that the purpose of the home was “providing free holidays and health-giving surroundings for the palefaced poor children of the borough” and continued “Situate on the Norland hillside, about midway as the crow flies between Ladstone and Triangle station, Longley Farm occupies a charming site….The building has been plainly but very comfortably equipped for the purpose of receiving youthful guests, while outside there is ample provision for healthy recreation.” Longley Farm was capable of receiving 16 children at a time, but initially took 12, which cost the League 30 shillings (£1.50) per child for two weeks. The chairman of the League, Mr J H Maude, who was also the president of the local branch of Pearson’s Fresh Air Fund, thanked the official guests and stated that the Committee “did endeavour to get the right atmosphere for the children. In addition to being given good, regular meals, they were taken out for walks and talks, and taught good manners. On one occasion they had a child whose weight increased by 11lbs in a fortnight. Practically every child gained in weight at the home, and when they did not, something serious was feared, and medical aid sought.” Information from: https://norlandvillagehistory.org.uk/the-holiday-home