Esholt (Original Emmerdale village)

Esholt is a village situated seven miles north of Bradford city centre. The name Esholt is said to take its name from the nature which is found in the area: Esche or Ash and Holt or wood: Ash Wood.

Sadly, Esholt railway station closed in 1940, so instead we made our way by train from Manchester Victoria to Bradford Interchange and then took bus A3 to Hollins Hill. It was a half mile walk down Station Road to the village.

Esholt has one public house, The Woolpack, a listed building in Main Street. There we enjoyed sandwiches (crispy beer battered haddock served with handcut chips and salad was particularly popular) and jacket potatoes.

The manor house, Esholt Old Hall at Upper Esholt is medieval in origin, probably 16th century, and possibly once had a moat. It is well-preserved and has Grade II* listed building status.

The Church of Saint Paul was built at a cost of £800 in 1839 by William Rookes Crompton-Stansfield for use as a private family chapel.

From 1976 to 1996, Esholt was used for the location of Beckindale for the Yorkshire Television drama series Emmerdale Farm (later Emmerdale). The series relocated to a purpose-built set based on the layout of Esholt in Leeds.

More photos can be seen here.

“Nobody told me”: Military vet learns she had a criminal record for 56 years for “perceived same-sex sexual activity”

Liz Stead was 22 when she was booted from the Royal Air Force. The year was 1969. Supervisors discovered romantic letters from her then-girlfriend, spurring the discharge.

As traumatic as that was, it gets worse. 56 years later, Stead has just discovered she also received a criminal conviction for “perceived same-sex sexual activity.”

Stead had already been fighting the government for reparations in response to the ban on homosexuality in the armed forces, which was lifted in 2000. This latest development came as a shock.

“I can think of one job where it might have been the reason I didn’t get it. I can’t think how it is on my records and I’ve never known about it, but I can’t be the only one, they can’t have just pinpointed me.”

“Liz’s experience shows how important it is that justice is properly done to all LGBT+ veterans who suffered under the cruel ban,” said Peter Gibson, CEO of LGBT+ military charity Fighting With Pride. “Lives and careers were ruined under that ‘gay ban.’ ”

To live unknowingly branded a criminal for loving someone is heartbreaking. The government must speed up justice for all LGBT+ veterans!

A history of LGBT+ discrimination

Between 1967 and 2000, the British military discharged upwards of 250 people per year. Officials approved a £75 million compensation fund (up to £70,000 per individual). While the financial support is positive for those affected, time does not heal all wounds, particularly for those who endured even greater consequences. 

The Royal Air Force investigated David Bonney for two years after discovering a copy of The Gay Times. Court-martialled in 1993 and sentenced to incarceration for six months, including one month of solitary confinement (he was released early for good behaviour), Bonney is still picking up the pieces. 

Bonney’s record has haunted his entire adult life, despite a successful post-military career as a psychiatric nurse. 

I’ve still got a criminal record, and it’s robbed me – continues to rob me – of a right to a private life. Every job I went for as a nurse, I had to tell them. You’re supposed to have a right not to tell your employer your sexual orientation. I don’t.”

Like Stead, Bonney continues the uphill battle through bureaucratic red tape. A request to receive his complete military records yielded a redacted report that scrubbed any mention of the investigation. 

A monumental apology

“Open Letter,” the winning design for a memorial for UK LGBT+ service members. Illustration by the artist collective at Abraxis Academy.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ban’s lifting. While many former service members still face discrimination, criminal records, and financial loss, a large sculpture at Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum scheduled for reveal this August will mark the UK’s first memorial to LGBT+ service people.

An artist collective from Abrax Academy won the competition by designing a large-scale bronze sculpture in the form of a freestanding letter, its words gathered from collected evidence of those persecuted. 

Nina Bilbey, one of the sculpture’s designers, said, “We hope this memorial will help ease some of the distrust and pain experienced by LGBTQ+ veterans and become a beacon of hope for future generations who will witness this work and be reminded of the healing power of reconciliation and the public acknowledgement of historic discrimination.”

Concessionary pass trial

In August 2025, concessionary pass holders can travel for free before 9.30am.

Throughout August, Bee Network are running a trial so concessionary pass holders can travel before 9.30am for free.

What you need to know:

· Available from 1 – 31 August

· Valid for TfGM issued older person’s or disabled person’s travel passes only

· Available on Bee Network buses (not trams).

Rainbow Lottery

On Saturday, 2 August at 8.00pm I will be revealing the winning numbers of the Rainbow Lottery on Facebook!

I’ve made a simple video and the Rainbow Lottery will add all the subtitles, bells and whistles, and of course the winning numbers. So, please watch, ‘Like’ and ‘Share’. You can also buy tickets to support us.

Come and join us to make a real difference and have the chance of winning great prizes.

Rainbow hugs,

Tony Openshaw

Co-ordinator / Out In The City

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