Sowerby Bridge: A Photographer's Early Journey Through a Historic Town

 My photographic journey truly began in 2013, sparked by a holiday to Lanzarote. Upon my return, I started exploring my local area with fresh eyes, and naturally, my hometown of Sowerby Bridge became my primary subject.

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A Glimpse into Sowerby Bridge's Past

Sowerby Bridge is a bustling market town nestled in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Its origins are deeply rooted in the confluence of the Rivers Calder and Ryburn, where a ford once stood, eventually replaced by the bridge that gave the town its name. The Industrial Revolution marked a period of significant growth for Sowerby Bridge. The rivers, along with numerous streams and inlets, provided the power for the textile and engineering mills that sprang up along their banks. The town became an urban district in 1894 and later merged into the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in 1974.

The town's waterways are particularly notable. Sowerby Bridge is the junction point of the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal, opened in 1770, and the Rochdale Canal, which opened in 1804. While the Calder and Hebble has remained open since its completion, the Rochdale Canal faced closure in 1952, with its last full journey from Sowerby Bridge occurring in 1937. A section of the canal was even infilled and converted into a road (Tuel Lane) and a car park before being gloriously reopened in 1996.

The railway also played a crucial role in Sowerby Bridge's development, arriving in 1840 with the opening of its first station. This station, located near the current Tesco, was replaced in 1876 by the present-day station, strategically moved in anticipation of the new Rishworth Branch Line.

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Overcoming Challenges and Looking to the Future

Following the departure of textile and engineering companies, Sowerby Bridge experienced a period of decline. The town's hilly terrain and lack of flat land proved unsuitable for modern industrial development. By the late 1970s, many businesses had left, leading to various regeneration efforts. These included the establishment of a canoe club on the River Calder, the vital restoration of the Rochdale Canal and its wharf area, and the large-scale conversion of former mills into apartments and smaller, more suitable industrial units.

While significantly improved since the 1980s, Sowerby Bridge still grapples with challenges, including persistent traffic congestion and a scarcity of shops to attract visitors. Despite these hurdles, the canals remain a central feature of the town, and the annual Rushbearing festival brings much-needed tourism, though its popularity has waned in recent years.

The pictures I captured around Sowerby Bridge in 2013, all taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, formed the basis of an early YouTube video, marking the true beginning of my photographic exploration.

Sowerby Bridge Station

The Canal Basin

Scar Head Tunnel Portal, on the closed Rishworth Branch Line.

Jubilee Refreshment Rooms, formerly Sowerby Bridge Station ticket office

The Subway at Sowerby Bridge Station. The bricked up portal used to run under long since removed lines and into the former station building which was damaged by fire and demolished around 1980.

Willow Hall Dam, this was taken on Boxing Day 2013, the bench is no longer their.

Winton Mill

The former Coal Drops

Willow Hall Dam

The Navigation Inn

The Rochdale Canal from Co-Op Bridge

The tunnel to the east of Sowerby Bridge is known by a few different names, the most popular being Dixy, Cemetery or Sowerby Tunnel. 

County Bridge, the bridge that gives the town it's name. A much older bridge can be seen underneath, which has been largely covered due to road widening.

Sowerby Bridge Cemetery

Carlton Mill Chimney

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A Glimpse into Scottish History: 1933 "Famous Scots" Cigarette Card Collection

 I recently embarked on a little journey through Scottish history, right from my own home. I've been in possession of a fascinating set of 50 cigarette trading cards from 1933, titled "Famous Scots." As I was preparing to list these unique pieces of ephemera for sale, I realised what a treasure trove of historical figures they represented.

Rather than just selling them off, I decided to take the time to scan each card and create something special for you all. I've put together two videos, each featuring 25 of these incredible images, and uploaded them to YouTube.

These cards showcase a diverse array of famous Scottish individuals, ranging from beloved poets and influential playwrights to ground breaking inventors, powerful politicians, revered royalty, and so much more. It's a truly captivating cross-section of Scottish talent and influence throughout history.

You can view both videos right here in this post, and of course, on YouTube. I'd be absolutely thrilled if you could take a moment to subscribe to my channel while you're there – it really helps me to create more content like this!

A little bit of background on the cards themselves: they were originally released in packs of Mitchells Cigarettes. Mitchells was a Scottish tobacco company with its roots in Linlithgow. Interestingly, while the company had merged with Imperial Tobacco by 1901, these cards were still released under the Mitchells branding, adding another layer to their historical significance.

It's been a real pleasure delving into these cards and sharing a piece of Scottish heritage with you all. I hope you enjoy the videos as much as I enjoyed creating them!

and part 2,

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Chasing the Horizon: Unforgettable Ibiza Sunsets from Portinatx (2014)

 There's something truly magical about an Ibiza sunset, and even a less-than-stellar hotel couldn't dim that glow for me back in July 2014. My trip to the White Isle, specifically the northern outpost of Portinatx, yielded a small but cherished collection of photos capturing the stunning daily spectacle from around my hotel, the Club Vista Bahia.

While the Club Vista Bahia, which I believe has since closed its doors, left a lot to be desired in terms of accommodation, its location more than compensated. Perched on the outskirts of Portinatx, it offered uninterrupted, panoramic views of the sun dipping below the ocean's horizon – a sight that quickly became the highlight of each day.

Armed with my Polaroid is2132 bridge camera, I spent evenings capturing the vibrant oranges, fiery reds, and soft purples that painted the sky as the day drew to a close. These aren't professional shots, but they hold a special place for me, encapsulating those serene moments of pure natural beauty.

Even now, looking back at these images, I'm transported to that balcony, feeling the gentle sea breeze and listening to the distant hum of the island coming alive for the night. It's a testament to how even simple pleasures, like a spectacular sunset, can elevate an experience and create lasting memories.

Clicking on any picture should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.