Ron Gosney's Response

Hi Theo

I was very interested to see your enquiry concerning the Lightowler's who established a foundry at Ferrybridge as I was born and brought up in Ferrybridge and remember the foundry well. I also remember part of the
family that lived halfway down Ferrybridge hill, I think it may have been Arthur with a son called Brian?
I have recently been doing some transcribing of Brotherton registers, but have not yet got around to marriages, but there were two families in Brotherton who seem to be connected, for they were both in Castleford for a
time before moving to Brotherton. One was William Lightowler who married Annie E ---? and they had at least 10 children, one of whom was Frank, and this name seems to ring a bell as having foundry connections, but they didn't have a William so presumably they are not your direct ancestors.

Then there was a George Lightowler, described in 1901 census as a Coal miner hewer aged 42 born at Darrington, and his wife Caroline aged 42 born at Brotherton. Their children were: Lavina 21 born Castleford; John 20 born Castleford a stove and grate fitter; William 17 born Castleford, a wood (pattern maker); Ethel born 11 Jul 1885 bap 30 Aug 1885 at Brotherton; Charlie born 5 Jun 1887 bap 31 Jul 1887 at Brotherton; Albert born 14 Jul 1889 bap 15 Aug 1889 buried 4 Feb 1890 at Brotherton; Bertha born 26 Feb 1891 bap 29 Mar 1891 at Brotherton; George born 12 May 1893 bap 16 Jul 1893 at Brotherton.

I have only transcribed Brotherton baptism registers up to 1895, but 1901 census records George as the youngest at 7 years old. There is a memorial stone in Brotherton Cemetery:
In Loving Memory of / George Lightowler / died June 25th 1924 aged 64 years / also Caroline / beloved wife of the above / died April 20th 1947 aged 89 years / reunited / also a dear daughter Bertha / died July 25th 1975 aged 84 years / always remembered.

Before being a foundry the building at Ferrybridge was the Regency Ballroom (or so I am told).
Kindest regards

Ron Gosney
8 December 2004