THIS study of some Edwardian ladies’ hats appeared on a postcard produced by A Ibbotson, of North Street, Keighley.

On its undated back, somebody had written: ‘Photograph taken at Liberal Fete. I think you will recognise Mother and Mrs Cockroft.’

Liberals dominated Keighley politics for generations. The Franchise and Redistribution of Seats Acts of 1885 made Keighley the centre of a new electoral district, which returned Liberal veteran Isaac Holden to Parliament. He was followed by John Brigg in 1895, Sir Stanley O Buckmaster in 1911 and Sir Swire Smith in 1915.

When Keighley achieved municipal borough status in 1882, its first mayor was Liberal Benjamin Septimus Brigg. The Keighley News had been founded in 1862 by Bradford Liberal William Byles, although a weekly Conservative Keighley Herald would follow in 1873, as indeed Keighley’s second mayor was Conservative, Richard Longden Hattersley.

The photo is supplied by Kevin Seaton, of Shann Lane in Keighley.