Horsforth Trivia

Claimed to be the largest village in England by population
until recently. Often referred to as a town but not able to
claim this status due to lack of a town hall, mayor and market.

Horsforth is practically mid-way between
the capitals of England and Scotland

George Booth, a Horsforth man, was the second British
prisoner-of-war captured during WW2 after his Blemheim
bomber was shot down over the Keil Canal, Germany.

John Wesley preached in the Bell Chapel on The Green c.1740

The 'Kitchener Needs You' poster is rumoured to be by a Horsforth artist.

The average ago of death in 1894 was 34.6 years
(source: Horsforth Almanack 1896)

In the 1850s Horsforth possessed a notable poacher
named Ann Page who was easily recognisable in the
village because she was accompanied by 2 ferocious
bulldogs.... and wore a beard!

The late Bill Garrett of Horsforth once beat
the panel of TV's 'What's My Line' - he made
models for Sooty!

Horsforth is famed for manufacturing both the world's largest
zip and boot, the former used on TV's 'Don't Ask Me'.

Foster Powell, born in 1734 in Horsforth, was famed as being
England's most celebrated pedestrian, once walking 112 miles
from Canterbury to London Bridge and back in under 24 hours.
He also walked from London to York and back several times!

More trivia can be found in the publication 'Horsforth Trivia' which
includes over 150 fascinating facts with photographs.
Available from Horsforth Village Museum and other local outlets
(ISBN 0 947904 08 5)

A brief history