Bolling Hall: A Glimpse into Bradford's Past.

Nestled in the heart of Bradford, Bolling Hall stands as a testament to the city's rich history. This magnificent Grade I listed manor house, with its origins dating back to the 13th century, offers visitors a captivating journey through time.

A Brief History

Bolling Hall has witnessed centuries of change. It has served as a family home, a stronghold during the English Civil War,and a symbol of the industrial revolution. The hall's architecture reflects its evolution, with elements of medieval, Tudor,Georgian, and Victorian styles.

Exploring the Hall

A visit to Bolling Hall is a delightful exploration. Wander through the beautifully preserved period rooms, each offering a glimpse into different eras. Admire the intricate details, from the ornate fireplaces to the antique furnishings.

Highlights include:

• The Great Hall: A spacious and impressive room with a stunning inglenook fireplace.
• The Victorian Kitchen: Step back in time and experience the challenges of Victorian domestic life.
• The Servants' Quarters: Discover the lives of the people who worked behind the scenes.
• The Gardens: Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Events and Activities

Bolling Hall regularly hosts a variety of events and activities, making it a great destination for families and history enthusiasts. From exhibitions and workshops to themed events and live performances, there's always something to discover.

A Must-Visit for History Lovers

If you're looking for a fascinating and educational experience, Bolling Hall is a must-visit. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and engaging exhibits, it's a captivating destination that offers something for everyone.

The pictures I took were in the gardens, they show the magnificent of the hall on a cool December morning. They were taken using a Nikon d3300 on the 10th December 2022, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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A British Icon in a Winter Setting: The Morris Minor 1000

On a frosty December day in 2022, a charming piece of British motoring history was spotted, standing out brightly against the muted, wintery landscape of Bradford. A classic 1967 Morris Minor 1000, its vibrant red paint dusted with frost, was parked outside St. John the Evangelist Church on Bierley Lane, its timeless design a stark and beautiful contrast to the modern cars around it.

A Car of the People

The Morris Minor 1000 is a true British icon. It was in production for a remarkable 15 years, from 1956 to 1971, during which time an astonishing 850,000 models were built. The car was beloved for its simple, sturdy design and its reliable performance, becoming a staple of British roads and a symbol of post-war ingenuity. The photographs capture the essence of this beloved vehicle, from its distinctive curved silhouette to its compact size. The frost on the windscreen and the light snow on the pavement add a touch of nostalgic, seasonal magic to the scene.

A Moment in Time

The pictures, taken with a Nikon D3300, show the car from different angles, highlighting its unique features. From the front, its rounded headlights and classic chrome grille are prominent, while the side-view shot shows its smooth, aerodynamic lines and the distinctive hubcaps. The car's license plate, a vintage "RYU 948E," confirms its 1967 model year, a detail that adds to its historical authenticity.

The backdrop of the church and its graveyard adds a sense of place and permanence to the photographs. The car, a temporary visitor in this historic setting, creates a fascinating juxtaposition between the transient nature of everyday life and the enduring presence of architectural heritage.

The Morris Minor 1000 is more than just a car; it's a cultural artifact. It represents a simpler time and a distinct period in British manufacturing. To see one in such a pristine condition, still on the roads and clearly cherished by its owner, is a delight. It’s a testament to a design that has transcended time, continuing to turn heads and spark memories, even on the coldest of winter days.

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A Frosty Morning's Embrace: Bridging Bradford's Landscape

There's a unique stillness to an early winter morning, especially one touched by frost. This image, captured on the 10th of December, 2022, perfectly encapsulates that quiet beauty. It's a view from a pedestrian bridge that gracefully arches over the A650 Wakefield Road dual carriageway, connecting the Sticker Lane and Dudley Hill areas of Bradford.

The photograph, taken with a Nikon D3300, tells a story of dawn breaking on a truly cold day. The path across the bridge is dusted with a delicate layer of frost, sparkling faintly in the nascent light. Each tiny ice crystal reflects the low, golden rays of the rising sun, creating a natural shimmer that contrasts beautifully with the dark, heavy clouds still clinging to the sky.

The railings, a mix of dark metal and a warmer, almost ochre tone on the brickwork at either end, frame the frosty expanse. Beyond the bridge, the trees stand bare and skeletal against the horizon, characteristic of winter's grip. Yet, there's a promise of warmth in the subtle glow that hints at the sun's eventual triumph over the morning chill.

This isn't just a bridge; it's a silent witness to countless commutes, daily strolls, and moments of quiet contemplation. On this particular morning, it offered a brief, picturesque interlude, a moment of stark beauty before the day's hustle truly began. It's a reminder that even in the most functional parts of our urban landscape, nature still finds a way to paint a breath taking scene.

Next time you're out on a frosty morning, take a moment. You might just find a similar, unexpected beauty right in your path.

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Valley Parade: A Stadium Forged by History and Resilience

Valley Parade, a name that evokes a deep sense of pride and a poignant memory for many, stands as the home of Bradford City AFC in the Manningham district of Bradford. This stadium is more than just a football ground; it's a monument to the city's rich sporting history and an enduring symbol of resilience in the face of tragedy.

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A Century of Sporting Heritage

The stadium's history stretches back to 1886, when it was built on the site of a quarry as the home of Manningham FC, the first champions of the Northern Union (rugby league). Bradford City took up residence in 1903, and since then, Valley Parade has also hosted other teams, including Bradford (Park Avenue) and Bradford Bulls RLFC, cementing its status as a central pillar of West Yorkshire's sporting community.

The stadium itself has undergone many transformations. Until 1952, it was largely unchanged from its early days, but a major structural fault in the Midland Road Stand led to its demolition. For a time, Valley Parade was a three-sided ground until the new East Stand was finally completed in 1966. The pictures from December 2022 show the modern, all-seater stadium, a far cry from its earlier iterations.

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Remembering the Tragedy of 1985

On May 11, 1985, Valley Parade was the scene of one of the worst disasters in the history of sport. A fire swept through the wooden structure of the Main Stand (now the JCT 600 Stand), a tragedy that claimed the lives of 56 people and injured 265 others. This event forever changed the stadium and the community.

In the years following the disaster, the stadium was completely rebuilt from the ground up. Today, it stands as a state-of-the-art, all-seater stadium with a capacity of 25,136, spread across five distinct stands, including the Main Stand which was rebuilt to modern safety standards. The new stadium is not just a place for sport; it is a powerful memorial to those who lost their lives, a testament to the community's strength, and a symbol of hope and renewal.

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The Main (West) Stand

The JCT 600 Stand, or the Main Stand, is the centerpiece of Valley Parade, a structure with a unique and defining presence. It's the largest stand in the stadium, with a capacity for 9,004 fans, yet it's distinctive for not stretching the full length of the pitch. Instead, the stand occupies just three-quarters of the pitch-side space, with offices filling the remaining quarter. This design gives the stand a unique visual character and creates a natural boundary between the roaring crowd and the administrative heart of the club.

In a small, open section near the offices, a patch of uncovered seating offers a different kind of matchday experience, exposed to the elements. This slight quirk in the design adds to the stand's charm, making it a truly unique feature of the iconic stadium.

The Midland Road (East) Stand

The Midland Road Stand at Bradford's Valley Parade is more than just a single tier of seating; it's a testament to the club's past and the ambition of a former era. With a capacity of 4,500, this stand is a familiar sight to fans, particularly as it's the section used to house away supporters.

Around the turn of the millennium, former chairman Geoffrey Richmond envisioned a far grander future for this part of the stadium. His ambitious plan was to add a second tier, which would have increased the East Stand's capacity to a remarkable 10,000. This project, a symbol of the club's high hopes, never came to fruition. Despite this, the stand remains a crucial part of Valley Parade's identity, a place where rival fans gather to create a vibrant atmosphere and add to the rich tapestry of the matchday experience.

The Kop

This picture perfectly captures the unique character of traditional British football stadiums. Unlike modern, out-of-town arenas, Valley Parade is deeply woven into the fabric of its community. The image shows the Kop Stand rising dramatically over the terraced houses of Rear Rock Terrace, a powerful reminder that the stadium is part of the neighbourhood, not separate from it.

The stadium’s distinctive, asymmetrical shape is a result of this close relationship. Local folklore says the odd angle of the main stand is a direct consequence of the "right to light" laws, which prevented major development from casting a shadow over the homes to the east. This isn’t just a stadium; it’s an urban fortress, built in harmony with the houses that have stood watch over it for generations, a true symbol of football's place at the heart of the community.

The Kop Stand is more than just a place to watch a match—it’s a powerful symbol of fan passion. As the second largest stand in the stadium, with a capacity for 7,492 supporters, it's a vibrant heart of the club. What makes this Kop particularly unique is its design: unlike the traditional, single-tiered Kop stands found in many British stadiums, this one rises in a distinctive two-tiered structure, a modern twist on a classic footballing tradition.

TL Dallas (South) Stand

While the other stands at Valley Parade rise majestically, the TL Dallas South Stand holds its own with a distinct, compact character. Tucked in by Holywell Ash Lane, this two-tiered stand is the smallest in the stadium, with a capacity of 1,840. Despite its size, it’s a crucial part of the ground's atmosphere, as it traditionally houses the away fans. This unique role, combined with its intimate scale and the physical limitations on its expansion, makes the South Stand a a small but vital part of the stadium's story.

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Exploring the Legacy of the Queensbury Railway

I first wrote about the Queensbury Tunnel in December 2017. Unfortunately, many of the photos from that original post have since been lost. I recently revisited my archives to recover and repost them. You can find the complete collection on Clickasnap. I've also compiled some of the images into a video, available on my website and YouTube. Please consider subscribing to my channel!

This video takes you on a journey along the historic Queensbury railway line, featuring a blend of modern and vintage images captured from Strines Cutting to the former site of Queensbury Station. All historical images and those taken inside the tunnel that are not my own are used under Creative Commons licenses or are of unknown copyright, with credits provided where possible.

Strines Cutting: A Feat of Engineering

Strines Cutting, a formidable railway cutting, marked the approach to the southern portal of Queensbury Tunnel. Approximately 1,030 feet long and 59 feet deep, it was carved directly through solid rock. An impressive aqueduct once carried the Strines/Ovenden Beck over the railway, and remarkably, this bridge still stands today. However, the ground beneath has since been infilled, transforming its appearance into what now resembles a wall across disused land. The majority of the cutting itself has been filled in, with only a short, often flooded section remaining near the tunnel entrance due to persistent drainage issues.

Queensbury Tunnel: A Challenging Construction

The Queensbury Tunnel was a vital link built by the Great Northern Railway, connecting Holmefield Station in Halifax to Queensbury Station, and extending onward to Bradford and Keighley. Construction began in May 1874 and spanned over three challenging years, finally opening to goods traffic on October 14, 1878. Passenger services commenced later, in December 1879, once Queensbury Station was complete. The final stretch to Keighley, however, took another five years to open due to financial setbacks.

Upon its completion, the tunnel stretched an impressive 7,503 feet, making it the longest on the Great Northern Railway and one of the deepest in the country. Original plans for eight air shafts were revised down to seven, and finally to just five, largely due to significant water ingress – a persistent drainage problem that plagued both the tunnel and the cutting. The deepest completed shaft reached a depth of 379 feet, while shaft number five would have extended to 414 feet had it been finished. Around 700 men toiled on its construction, and tragically, at least 10 are believed to have died, with many more suffering injuries.

Decline and a Hope for Revival

The tunnel remained operational until the 1950s. While passenger numbers declined, freight traffic remained busy until after the Second World War. The substantial maintenance costs of the tunnel and cutting made it an early target for closure during post-war economic austerity, leading to what many now view as a shortsighted decision. Passenger services were withdrawn on May 23, 1955, followed by goods traffic on May 28, 1956. The line through the tunnel was then mothballed until 1963 when the tracks were finally removed.

Today, there's an active campaign to reopen the tunnel as part of a cycleway connecting Bradford with Halifax. This initiative faces opposition from engineers proposing a scheme to abandon and fill the tunnel with concrete. I'm hopeful that the campaigners fighting to save this significant piece of railway heritage will be successful in their efforts. To find out more please take a moment to view the site at http://www.queensburytunnel.org.uk/

Strines / Ovenden Beck Aqueduct. Strines cutting used to run to a depth of approx 59ft beneath where I was stood to take the picture.

The southern portal of Queensbury Tunnel after it had been drained to allow engineers to asses the damage inside. The entrance rocks are what remains of Strines Cutting.

This is what the entrance to Queensbury Tunnel normally looks like.

Taken on the former Queensbury - Thornton - Keighley track bed looking towards the former site of Queensbury Station. Opened in 1879 the station was triangular in shape, when opened being one of only 4 shaped that way in England. The station had connections with Bradford, Halifax, Keighley and beyond. The station was 400ft lower than the town and closed to passengers in 1955, and goods, excursion traffic in 1963, other than track bed nothing of the station now remains.

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Low Moor's Phoenix Moment: A Modern Station Reconnecting West Yorkshire

In an age where railway stations often feel like relics of a bygone era, Low Moor stands out as a vibrant testament to progress. Reopened in 2017 after a hiatus of over half a century, this isn't just a stop on the Caldervale line; it's a £10.8 million investment in connecting communities, offering a crucial link between Bradford and Halifax, and a smart solution for commuters in West Yorkshire.

The Past Paves the Way for the Future: Low Moor might be "new," but its roots run deep. The original station graced this very spot back in July 1848. In its early days, it was a bustling hub – a vital terminus for trains arriving from Halifax and the Spen Valley line, which weaved its way through towns like Heckmondwike, Liversedge, and Cleckheaton. The direct line to Bradford wasn't even completed until 1850! This grand era of rail travel continued for over a century, with Low Moor remaining a busy junction until the infamous Beeching cuts of the 1960s. Passenger services ceased on June 14, 1965, followed by goods traffic two years later, leaving a silent void where once there was a thriving railway heart.

A Modern Comeback: But the story of Low Moor wasn't over. Fast forward to April 2017, and the triumphant return of a railway station designed for the 21st century. Serving the local villages of Low Moor and Oakenshaw, its strategic location near the M62 and M606 motorways quickly cemented its status as a key park-and-ride facility. This foresight has been a success, with passenger numbers steadily climbing. In 2017-18 alone, over 133,600 passengers (around 2,570 per week) passed through its gates – a figure undoubtedly bolstered by recent timetable enhancements that now see more services stopping at the station.

Streamlined for Today's Traveller: While Low Moor Station is designed for efficiency, its modern amenities are geared towards the self-sufficient traveller. You'll find sleek, modern shelters on both platforms and convenient card-only ticket machines, emphasizing the need to purchase your ticket before boarding. It's an unmanned station, so don't expect refreshments, toilets, or cash machines – plan accordingly! Access between platforms is made easy with both steps and lifts, ensuring accessibility for all.

Capturing the Essence: I visited Low Moor Station on a brisk December 30th, 2019, armed with my  Nikon D3300 SLR. The aim was to capture the essence of this modern transport hub, its sleek lines a stark contrast to the ghost of its past. The images showcase a station that, while minimalist in its offerings, is a vital lifeline for countless commuters and a proud symbol of West Yorkshire's revitalized rail network.

Clicking any of the images below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Here's a video slideshow I put together for YouTube.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

St. Paul's, Denholme: A Silent Sentinel Overlooking the Worth Valley

Nestled on a hillside overlooking the charming town of Denholme, West Yorkshire, stands the imposing yet melancholic shell of St. Paul's Church. A testament to Victorian ambition and a poignant reminder of shifting demographics, this Grade II listed building, consecrated in 1846, now exists in a state of quiet redundancy, its story etched in weathered stone and silent stained glass.

A Victorian Vision: Origins and Architecture

St. Paul's was erected during a period of rapid industrial expansion in the Worth Valley. Denholme, like many surrounding towns, experienced a surge in population, necessitating the construction of new places of worship. The church, designed in the Gothic Revival style, reflects the prevailing architectural tastes of the mid-19th century. Its construction speaks of the era's commitment to creating grand, spiritually uplifting structures.

Key architectural features that warrant attention include:

• Materials: The church is constructed from locally sourced stone, a hallmark of Yorkshire architecture. This material not only provides durability but also lends a sense of continuity with the surrounding landscape.
• Gothic Revival Elements: Observe the pointed arch windows, the intricate stone tracery, and the (now likely deteriorating) stained glass. These elements are quintessential to the Gothic Revival, a style that sought to evoke the grandeur of medieval cathedrals.
• Tower and Spire: The church's tower, once a prominent landmark, likely featured a spire, which is a common feature in parish churches of this period. (If the spire is no longer present, this fact should be noted with possible reasons why.)
• Plan and Layout: Research the original floor plan. Was it a traditional nave and chancel layout? Were there any notable features within the interior, such as a gallery, a specific type of pulpit, or particular stained glass windows? (This would be where online photos would be a great resource to cite.)

Decline and Redundancy: A Reflection of Changing Times

St. Paul's served its community for over 150 years, witnessing generations of baptisms, marriages, and funerals. However, by the late 20th century, the church faced dwindling congregations, a common trend in many rural areas.

• The church's closure in June 1997, due to structural and safety concerns, marked a significant turning point. The final service within its walls was a poignant moment, signaling the end of an era.
• The farewell service held in the new graveyard on September 5, 1999, further emphasized the church's redundancy, highlighting the community's shift towards alternative places of worship or changing religious practices.
• The fact that the church became a private residence is a common solution for redundant churches. This shows the difficulty in maintaining such large structures.

Current Status: A Private Residence and Grounds

As noted, St. Paul's has since been converted into a private residence. This transformation presents a unique situation, blending historical preservation with contemporary living.

• It is crucial to emphasize that there is no public access to the interior of the building. The current owners have a right to privacy, and any attempts to enter the property without permission would be a trespass.
• While the grounds may be accessible for those wishing to visit loved ones buried in the graveyard, it is imperative to contact the owners beforehand to ascertain the current access policy. Do not assume that public access is granted.
• The fact that the building has become a private residence, does give it a chance of survival, where otherwise it may have fallen into total disrepair.

 I took these pictures in July 2016 with a Nikon d3300 camera, clicking any image below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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