My name's Bob Norfolk. I don't actually come from this area. I originated from Holbeck and then we moved to Bramley during the war years. 

The main mode of transport at the start of the Second World War and through to the late 50s was the tram car. I can remember them quite vividly, the trams being a regular and reliable means of transport in the Bramley area, along with most other suburbs in Leeds. There was a frequent service which ran from Pavilion Cinema at Stanningley right through to the Leeds City Centre. The route took you down Stanningley road, passing Bramley station, Bramley town end where the tram sheds were located at the bottom of Bramley Town Street and Henconner lane, currently on the site of the local garage. From this point the tramlines were situated in the centre of the new present dual carriageway, and their high occupancy lane currently in place through to Gotts Park and Armley. Finally, they turned left over the railway line pub and straight onto the current Armley gyratory.

The tram was always regarded as an uncomfortable form of transport, and of course noisy. Once you gain speed, particularly when travelling downhill, you'll build a feeling of swaying to and fro. This, coupled with the noise from the cast iron wheels turning on the tramlines, often gave you the feeling of not being too safe. The feeling was however unfounded, as the firm proved to be a safe and reliable mode of transport. Unfortunately, the tracks proved to be very expensive to maintain and, as a consequence, they gradually replaced the service with buses during the early 50s. The last tram ran in 1956. It is ironical to know that in many towns there is a revival in the use of trams, in cities like Sheffield showing an interest in their future use.

As a child, it was exciting to go upstairs when travelling by tram. The staircase are situated near to the driver, and  would sway away, adding to the excitement as we held on to the stair rails. During the war years, as a safety measure, all the glass windows of the trams were covered with stick on type paper with small holes to enable you to see where you were travelling. It stopped the chances of any broken or splintered glass occurring as a result of bomb damage.

So as a young boy, I spent most of my time at Bramley. I was born in Holbeck and we lived not far from Holbeck Moor. And so I was born in 1935. That makes me 87. So I'll be 88 in June. Quite an exciting time really. Going into the RAF for a couple of years and national service. So, so we had to do that as well.