THIS MONTH IN THE PAST: On September 20, 1946, the whole of the West Riding awoke from their slumber to find the county had been drenched by some of the worst floods for 30 years.
Bradford Beck, unable to take the full volume of water, had overflowed and invaded the entire area from Thornton Road to Canal Road. City workers had found themselves stranded on street corners and had to resort to using benches as bridges. And underground, thousands of pounds of damage had been caused to goods and street works.
For those feeling brave, it was a case of just hitching up your skirt or trousers and plunging into the torrent.
This plucky 29-year-old Bradford man swam naked in 8ft. of rising water in the cellar of Collinson’s cafe, to save stocks of tea and food and to turn off the submerged electric mains.
SAXONE SHOE SHOP - TYRREL STREET 1946: After the floods, the only viable option was to pump the water from basements of the flooded buildings.
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