Have you ever wondered about stories behind your family tree ?
Our upcoming 4-week Family History Course offers a practical and supportive way to research your ancestry, learn techniques for searching records, and uncover your family story.
Led by Jude Rhodes, social historian and professional genealogist, participants will learn how to use records accurately, avoid common mistakes and make the most of Ancestry and Find My Past through the libraries free access.
The course fee is £60 for the full course, payable at the first session.
This course is suitable for all skill levels, although basic computer literacy is recommended. Participants may use library computers or bring their own laptop or tablet.
To book or request more information, please contact:
Thanks to the tireless efforts of David, a University of Bradford graduate and Riley enthusiast, there has been a recent revival of interest in the life of Willie Riley. Copeland’s work has included:
A Master of Philosophy thesis on Riley’s life and works: From Bradford Moor to Silver Dale.
An introduction to the re-issued edition of Windyridge, which is now back in print.
Bradford Local Studies holds most of his fiction catalogue which can be perused in the Library.
The University of Bradford Library Special Collections holds an extensive archive of his work, including manuscripts, correspondence, and photographs, which are available for researchers and fans alike.
Willie Riley’s story reminds us that literary fame can be fleeting, but the power of a good story well told endures. His work offers a charming window into a bygone era of Yorkshire life, and its high time he was rediscovered.
Born in Bradford in 1866, Willie Riley was a fascinating figure who went from a successful businessman in the textile and optical lantern slide industries to a best-selling author of over 30 novels. Though a household name in his time, particularly across Yorkshire, his work is now largely forgotten, making a revival of interest in this unique regional voice even more important, especially as it coincides with a renewed interest in the Yorkshire Dialect, with ‘Let’s Talk Tyke’ workshops and the appointment as President of The Yorkshire Dialect Society, Yorkshire-born British Library linguist and dialectologist Jonnie Robinson.
From Boardroom to Bookstore
Riley’s journey to becoming an author was unconventional. He started working for his father Joseph, in his ‘stuff business’, straight after leaving school in 1882.
Credit: University of Bradford, The W. Riley Archive., Special Collections. RIL10/2. Headed notepaper for Riley & Riley. 17 Westgate Colonnade, Bradford.
In 1884, Joseph created The Optical Lantern Business and Willie transferred to this part of the family business, which was a firm that sold and hired magic lantern equipment internationally. In 1889, Willie was made a partner in the company. The business thrived until World War I, when it collapsed.
(The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford has a collection of the Riley Magic Lantern Slides.)
However, even though he worked in the family businesses, his writing career had already begun as a personal project. In early 1911, to amuse his wife and two bereaved friends, the Bolton sisters, he began writing a story in weekly chapters. This heartwarming tale, full of the detail of Yorkshire life and set in a fictionalised version of the village of Hawksworth near Baildon, was eventually published as Windyridgein 1912.
Windyridgewas an instant sensation, selling around half a million copies and remaining in print until his death in 1961. Its success even led to houses across the country being named after the fictional location.
Riley became a full-time writer after his business closed, producing a steady stream of novels, short stories, newspaper articles, and travel works, most of which were set in his beloved Yorkshire Dales. His work is characterised by:
A deep love for Yorkshire: His stories used real places under disguised names, capturing the landscape and local character.
Methodist faith: A dedicated local preacher for 75 years, his strong religious beliefs underlie all his writings.
Heartwarming storytelling: His books offered a comforting escape, full of gentle humour and moral reflection.
Despite his immense fame during his lifetime (he died in 1961 at the age of 95), Riley’s popularity waned significantly after his death, and he became almost completely forgotten.
Willie Riley, in his study. Published by J.E. Lacy, Post Office, Silverdale. Part of the Bradford Local Studies Library Postcard Collection.
It was with great sadness that the staff of Keighley Library received the news of the death of Ian Walkden. We all got to know Ian through his work as Co Director of ‘The Men of Worth Project’. Ian has been a major contributor to Keighley local history over many years from showcasing displays of work in the library to supporting us on our annual Heritage Day. Ian has also contributed massively to saving our local war memorials and it was also through his diligence and perseverance that many unmarked soldier’s graves have received a military headstone through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Nothing was ever too much trouble and he would always come in with a friendly smile and we the staff always enjoyed chatting to him, he was a knowledgeable, reliable, kind and helpful gentleman and we shall all miss him very much indeed. We are not surprised that in other areas of his life such as the Keighley Rugby Union Club, he was held in such high regard, a true local legend indeed.
Bradford History Afternoon Lectures Bradford Local Studies Library
‘Is your house called Windyridge? Willie Riley (1866-1961), famous Bradford author’ an illustrated talk by David Copeland Thursday 27th November, 2.15pm
“W. (Willie) Riley, 1866-1961, was a Bradford businessman and later in life a best-selling author, mainly of novels, most being set in his beloved Yorkshire. The talk will tell the story of the remarkable life of Willie Riley, and about his books. In this Year of Bradford, City of Culture, it is good to remember one of Bradford’s illustrious and remarkable men of culture.”
These talks are given by members and supporters of FoBALS (Friends of Bradford Archives & Local Studies) with Bradford Local Studies Library and West Yorkshire Archives Bradford. Doors open at 2pm for a 2:15pm start.
