It happened a century ago in the same year as the outbreak of the Boer War.

While the Dutch Boers were fighting the British army for the sovereignty of South Africa, a little village in Bradford was having its very own battle for independence.

But by November 1899, and despite fierce resistance from its inhabitants, the village of Eccleshill had become part of the Urban District of Bradford.

Now Coun Peter Lancaster (Eccleshill, Lab) is spearheading a campaign to create a committee of Eccleshill residents to celebrate its 100th anniversary as part of the city.

Coun Lancaster said: "We're having a public meeting in March but in the mean- time we will be canvassing people in the village to drum up as much enthusiasm as possible so people will join the committee.''

Pat Gamble, of the Eccleshill Mechanics' Institute Youth and Community Group, said they wanted people from publicans to shop owners as well as residents to bring ideas to the meeting at Eccleshill Mechanics Institute hall in Stone Hall Road on March 10 (7.30pm).

"We're hoping to get the whole village involved in the project. Peter's hoping to get somebody to act as a figurehead for the committee to go round telling people about the project," she said.

Mrs Gamble said Eccleshill's absorption into Bradford 100 years ago was met with disgust by many of the parish councillors as they wanted to retain the village's links with Dewsbury. Villagers also found it difficult to get to Bradford because they had to go through the woods which went across Bolton.

Betty Mortimer, the Eccleshill Historical Society's chairman, said: "Our members joke whether we should be marking the anniversary with a celebration or wake!"

If you would like to sit on the committee, call Coun Lancaster on 01274 630352.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.