Anchor Pit Junction: A Ghost of the Railway Age

In the quiet landscape near Brighouse, West Yorkshire, a solitary stone wall stands as a silent sentinel to a bygone era. This is all that remains of the once-bustling Anchor Pit Junction, a place where the industrial heart of the Calder Valley beat strong with the rhythm of steam engines.

For nearly a century, this site was a crucial railway junction where the Pickle Bridge line, heading towards Bradford, diverged from the main Calder Valley line. It was a hub of activity, a complex web of tracks and signals that facilitated the movement of goods and people across the region. But the line's closure in 1952 marked the beginning of its slow fade into history.

While some remnants of the line can still be found to the north of the River Calder, the southern side of the valley offers little more than this one, lonely piece of masonry. This stone abutment , once a sturdy support for a bridge that spanned the valley, is now the only tangible evidence that a railway junction ever existed here. The rest has been reclaimed by nature and time.

These pictures, taken in May 2023, capture the poignant beauty of this forgotten fragment. The stone, weathered by years of wind and rain, holds a story in every crevice. It’s a powerful reminder of how quickly our modern world can erase the physical signs of our past, leaving behind only these quiet, dignified ghosts. It's a place that invites you to pause and imagine the rumble of trains and the hiss of steam, connecting the present with a rich and fascinating history.

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Echoes of Brandt: A Brighouse Snicket

Sometimes, the most compelling scenes are found in the overlooked spaces of everyday life. I've long been inspired by Bill Brandt's iconic photograph, "A Snicket in Halifax," which masterfully captures the essence of a steep, narrow Yorkshire passage. During a walk along the canals from Huddersfield to Brighouse, I found a similar staircase, a hidden gem that felt like a direct echo of Brandt's work.

This set of stone steps, or "snicket," is located near the former Anchor Pit Railway Junction, where Birds Royd Lane meets Woodhouse Lane. It's the kind of place you might walk past without a second glance, but if you pause to look, you find a scene rich with character and history. The steps climb steeply between old stone walls, flanked by a narrow tunnel-like passage that feels both mysterious and inviting.

I captured these two pictures on a sunny day in May 2023, one in colour and one in black and white. The colour version highlights the lush green moss on the stone, the subtle textures of the brickwork, and the hint of the sky above. But it's the monochrome version that truly brings out the spirit of the place. In black and white, the scene becomes a study in light and shadow, form and texture. It emphasizes the history etched into every stone, transforming a simple staircase into a timeless, dramatic composition that feels a lot like the work that inspired it.

This Brighouse snicket is more than just a shortcut; it's a testament to the industrial past and the quiet, enduring beauty that can be found in the less-trodden corners of our towns. It’s a small, steep climb that offers a big reward: a moment of reflection and a connection to a piece of Yorkshire’s soul.

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Sowerby Bridge: A Town Forged by Water and Industry

Nestled in the heart of Calderdale, West Yorkshire, lies the market town of Sowerby Bridge, a place whose very existence has been shaped by the rivers and canals that flow through it. From its origins as a simple crossing point over the River Calder, the town's story is one of rapid industrial growth, decline, and a remarkable rebirth.

A Hub of Industry and Transport

The town's rise began with the Industrial Revolution, as the rushing waters of the River Calder and River Ryburn were harnessed to power textile and engineering mills. This industrial boom was supercharged by the arrival of key transport links. First came the Calder & Hebble Navigation Canal, which opened up trade routes to Wakefield and beyond. Then, the Rochdale Canal provided a vital connection to Lancashire and Manchester, cementing Sowerby Bridge's status as a bustling hub of commerce.

The railways soon followed, with Sowerby Bridge becoming an important railway junction. The image of the Canal Basin and the Rochdale Canal shows this industrial heritage in all its glory, with the historic mills and waterways coexisting in a tight-knit landscape.

From Decline to Regeneration

After the World Wars, the town faced a period of decline. Its valley location, which had once been its strength, became a weakness, making it difficult for modern industries to set up shop, and many long-standing companies left. But Sowerby Bridge refused to fade away. In the 1980s, the town reinvented itself as a tourist destination. Regeneration efforts were spurred by events like the annual Rushbearing parade, the development of a canoe slalom, and the reopening of its canals, which breathed new life into the historic waterways.

The town today remains a pleasant place to live, full of character and historic charm. The confluence of the Rivers Ryburn and Calder at the edge of town is a beautiful sight, symbolizing the natural forces that gave birth to the town in the first place.

Sowerby Bridge has also become a star in its own right, providing a backdrop for a number of recent TV shows, including Stay Lucky, Happy Valley, and The English Game. Though often overshadowed by its neighbours, Halifax and Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge's unique history and undeniable charm make it a destination worth exploring. The images, taken on a crisp autumn day in 2021, capture the essence of a town that has not only endured but has embraced its history to create a vibrant present.

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Rochdale Canal from Tower Hill Bridge

Co-op Bridge and steps, Hollins Mill Lane.

The Canal Basin

Christ Church, Tuel Lane Tunnel, Rochdale Canal and the Roxy

Railway Viaduct and Rivers Ryburn and Calder

Town Hall Clock from County Bridge. The building never served as the Town Hall despite it's name spending most of it's history as a bank.

Courtyard on the Old Cawsey, thought to be the amongst the oldest road's through Sowerby Bridge.

River Ryburn and Sowerby Bridge Swimming Pool.

Former Wesleyan Chapel at Bolton Brow.

Rochdale Canal from the Co-op bridge steps.

Jack O Th Locks at the entrance to Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin.

Old Cawsey Courtyard

River Calder and Canoe Slalom from County Bridge.

River Ryburn

Rochdale Canal from Co-Op Bridge

Lock 2 Sowerby Bridge Upper on the Rochdale Canal

River Calder from County Bridge

Co-Op Steps

Geese on the canal, the town has become locally known for geese running the rule of the town

The Rochdale Canal from Lock 2 towards Lock 1 and the canal basin.

Christ Church, Tuel Lane Tunnel and Christ Church from Lock 2 on the Rochdale Canal.

The Village Restaurant, formerly the Ash Tree pub.

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