Joseph E. Bunce was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, the son of James Bunce.
He came to Lightcliffe in 1874 with the intention of setting up a market garden at Wheatley, but created his Sunny Vale Pleasure Gardens instead.
He was a gardener [1871] / a market gardener [1881] / a refreshment house keeper [1891] / unsuccessful in the Brighouse Municipal Elections of 1893 / a local Liberal Councillor in 1896, and represented Hove Edge / a pleasure gardens proprietor [1901].
On 1st May 1880, Joseph and his wife took over 2 acres at Wood Bottom Farm, Lightcliffe for market gardening and for pleasure uses. In his first season, 200/300 people patronised the ground. At the close of the year a small lake was constructed. This was enlarged in 1883. 5 years later, the larger upper lake was constructed measuring 280 yards long by about 70 yards wide.
In 1911, he took over the purpose-built Atlas Mill roller-skating rink in Atlas Mill Road, Brighouse, and converted it into a cinema with skating between the film shows. This Palace Rink then stopped showing films and was bought by Brighouse Empire Limited, opening as the Empire Theatre in December 1912.
He and his sons had a travelling film show which they toured around the Yorkshire Dales.
In 1876, he married Sarah Jane Farnell [1848-1926] at Square Congregational Church, Halifax.
Sarah Jane came from Ovenden
Children:
Before his marriage, Joseph (a gardener) was a lodger with coachman James & Mary Smith, at Savile Park, Halifax [1871]
They lived at
Living with them [in 1881] were visitors Martha Womersley [aged 51] and Stephen Womersley [aged 40].
Living with them [in 1891] was Joseph's sister Mary Ann / Margery Bunce [age 43] (an assistant refreshment house keeper).
Living with them [in 1901] niece Martha A. Farnell [aged 17] (an assistant in pleasure gardens).
He died at his home in Abbey Walk South, Halifax [14th October 1918].
Members of the family were buried at Brighouse Cemetery.
Probate records show that he left effects valued at £6,821 16/-. Probate was granted to his widow and sons
Page Ref: Y18
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