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Timeline of Wakefield 1990-1999
The 1990s
1991 August, tragic killing of two plastic surgeons, Michael Masser and Kenneth Paton, at
Pinderfields Hospital
1991 December, Wakefield loses a feature of its skyline when the two cooling towers of the now
defunct power station (on Doncaster Road) are demolished.
1992 The new Roman Catholic Church at Sandal, St Peter and St Paul, opens
1992 February, a choir of girls’ voices formed at Wakefield Cathedral.
1992 March, the gypsy base at Heath Common re-opens after refurbishment.
1992 H M Queen visits Wakefield for the 400 anniversary of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.
1992 August, the major re-landscaping of the Cathedral precinct is formally opened.
1992 12 December, closure of Manygates Maternity Hospital, maternity services transferred to
Pinderfields Hospital
1993 Thornes House School closes. Wakefield College takes over its premises.
1993 The Court House in Wood Street becomes redundant after use as a Crown Court comes to an
end.
1993 May, Sharlston Colliery closes
1993 May, Princess Diana visits the Second Chance unit at Pinderfields Hospital.
1994 Wakefield MDC leases Holmfield to Whitbread’s Brewery. Public anger at the destruction
of its historic rockery.
1994 The new St Catherine’s Church on Doncaster Road opens.
1995 Skateboard centre opens at the former Wakefield Skillcentre.
1995 Wakefield-born David Hope becomes Archbishop of York.
1995 The John Goodchild Centre established.
1995 The Waterton Discovery Centre opens at Anglers Country park.
1995 August, Crofton School destroyed by fire.
1995 October, Stanley Royd Hospital closes.
1995 Wakefield begins to promote rhubarb-growing as a tourist attraction.
1995 December, drowning tragedy at Hemsworth Water Park as Jack Crawshaw and Michael Mee
lose their lives trying to save teenager Tracey Pattison who has fallen through broken ice.
1996 January, the Wakefield City Partnership is established with the aim of regenerating the town
centre.
1996 The Europort at Normanton opens with the departure of the first freight train for the
Continent.
1996 September, Bretton Hall’s student village opens on the site of Manygates Hospital.
1996 The Cathedral and Westgate Retail Parks open
1996 Wakefield gets its first multiplex cinema, Cineworld.
1997 Refurbishment of the Wakefield market area and erection of a performance area.
1997 Refurbishment and landscaping of the Westgate Station forecourt.
1998 February, Crofton pupils move into new school building.
1998 Wakefield MDC sells Unity House.
1998 Council leader Colin Croxall stands down as investigations begin into financial
irregularities.
1998 Demolition of Albion Mills complex, Ings Road
1999 April, Prince Charles visits the Wakefield Waterfront to learn about the redevelopment
scheme centred on the Calder and Hebble warehouse.
© Kate Taylor