Sowerby Bridge: A Canal-side Journey Back in Time

On a grey and atmospheric day back on January 25th, 2014, I took a stroll with my Samsung Galaxy tablet along the Sowerby Bridge Canal Wharf. The weather, with its dramatic clouds and muted light, created the perfect backdrop for capturing the historic and slightly melancholic beauty of this industrial landscape in black and white.

The images I captured that day don't just show a collection of narrowboats and old buildings; they tell the story of a place where two significant waterways, the Rochdale Canal and the Calder and Hebble Navigation, converge. This junction is not just a geographical meeting point but a key part of Britain's industrial heritage.

A Hub of Industrial Life

Sowerby Bridge's canal basin was a hive of activity during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Calder and Hebble Navigation, completed in 1770, connected Halifax with Wakefield, providing a vital link to the Aire and Calder Navigation and, from there, to the North Sea. Just a few decades later, the Rochdale Canal opened in 1804, creating the first trans-Pennine waterway and a direct route between Manchester and Sowerby Bridge.

The two canals meet at Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin, and the basin became a crucial transhipment point. Goods arriving from Manchester could be transferred to boats heading for Wakefield and beyond, and vice-versa. The old warehouses that line the wharf, many of which are now offices, pubs, and restaurants, were once buzzing with the sound of workers loading and unloading coal, wool, and other goods.

Echoes of the Past

As I walked along the towpath, the past felt very much present. The stone-built warehouses, with their large arched entrances and multiple windows, stand as silent witnesses to the area's former glory. Their sturdy construction speaks of an era when British manufacturing was at its peak.

The narrowboats moored along the bank, while now used for leisure or as homes, are the modern-day descendants of the working boats that once plied these waters. Their reflections shimmer on the dark water, mirroring the stark lines of the buildings and the bare branches of the winter trees. The scene is both peaceful and full of history, a quiet testament to the ingenuity of the engineers who carved these waterways into the landscape.

A Living History

Today, the Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin is far from abandoned. It's a vibrant space where history and contemporary life coexist. The old warehouses have been repurposed, breathing new life into the area, and the towpaths are a popular spot for walks and cycling. The constant flow of narrowboats, from long-term moorings to holidaymakers, keeps the spirit of the canal alive.

Revisiting these photos from 2014 reminds me that places like Sowerby Bridge are more than just landmarks. They are living museums, each brick and ripple telling a story of a time when the canals were the lifeblood of the nation. It was a privilege to capture a small part of that story on a memorable winter's day.

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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.

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

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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A Walk Along the Waterways: Exploring the River Calder and Calder & Hebble Navigation

Sometimes, the most rewarding adventures are found right on our doorstep. On a crisp day in late March 2019, with my trusty Nikon D3300 in hand, I set out to explore the waterways that wind their way through Brighouse and its surroundings. The goal was simple: to capture the essence of the River Calder and the Calder & Hebble Navigation as they unfolded before me.

The journey began near the heart of Brighouse, where the River Calder meets the navigation at the Calder & Hebble Junction. The water here seemed to hold a mirror to the world, reflecting the bare branches of the trees and the sturdy, red-brick buildings that line the banks. It’s a place where industrial heritage and natural beauty coexist—a reminder of the area’s rich history.

Moving away from the town, the landscape began to shift. The path became a quiet haven, a tranquil corridor flanked by trees, their reflections dancing on the surface of the water. At a spot near Cromwell Bottom, the setting sun cast a golden glow, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow. The whole scene felt peaceful and timeless, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Further on, the walk brought me to some of the engineering marvels of the navigation. The Calder & Hebble Navigation under the M62 motorway is a study in contrasts. The colossal concrete pillars supporting the roaring traffic above loom large over the calm water below. It’s a powerful juxtaposition of modern infrastructure and the historical, slow-paced world of the canal.

At Brookfoot, the path became even more secluded, with lush greenery and overhanging trees creating a natural archway. I spotted a small waterfall cascading gently, adding to the soothing sounds of the water. This spot, at the Brookfoot Lock, felt particularly serene. The lock itself, with its black and white gates and the stone lock house, felt like a scene from another era, a testament to the hard work and ingenuity that shaped this landscape.

My journey on this day was a reminder of the simple joys of observation. Armed with my camera, I wasn't just walking; I was seeing. I saw the sun glinting off the river in Brighouse, the subtle play of light and shadow, the powerful presence of the M62, and the peaceful stillness of the canal. Each photograph tells a small part of the story of these waterways, and together, they paint a picture of a landscape that is both beautiful and full of history.

It's amazing what you can discover when you take the time to look closely. I hope these images inspire you to take your own walk along a local path and see what stories you can find.

The pictures below are displayed in no particular order from the walk, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The Calder & Hebble Navigation towards Ganny Foot Lock

The Calder & Hebble Navigation at Brookfoot bend.

Brookfoot Lock on the Calder & Hebble Navigation.

The M62 Motorway over the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Brighouse.

Calder & Hebble at Cromwell Bottom.

The junction of the Calder & Hebble Navigation and River Calder at Brighouse.

The River Calder at Brighouse.

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Remembering the Deluge: Sowerby Bridge and the 2015 Boxing Day Floods

 The Boxing Day floods of 2015 are etched into the memory of the Calder Valley. On that day, a perfect storm of relentless rainfall and already-saturated ground caused the River Calder and its tributaries to swell, bursting their banks and unleashing a wave of devastation. While towns like Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge were hit harder, Sowerby Bridge didn't escape the deluge. These images, rediscovered and shared, offer a powerful, on-the-ground look at the impact of the floods on our community.

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A Town Submerged

The photos, taken with a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera, serve as a stark reminder of the sheer force of nature. One image shows the River Calder surging near the Turks Head Footbridge, its muddy waters completely overwhelming the usual banks. What is normally a peaceful river is transformed into a raging torrent, encroaching on picnic tables and threatening nearby buildings.

The sheer volume of water is evident in another photo, where the river completely surrounds the Lockhart Mills complex. The water level is so high it nearly reaches the windows on the ground floor, illustrating the scale of the damage. At the Gas Works Bridge, the river's high water levels are captured from two different angles, showing the water's menacing rise, swallowing trees and reaching the very edge of the footbridge.

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The Unstoppable Flow

The flooding wasn't limited to the river alone. The Calder and Hebble Navigation canal system, a vital part of Sowerby Bridge's heritage, also succumbed to the pressure. Photos of Tuel Lane Lock show water cascading over the lock gates, an unsettling reversal of its typical function. The lock, designed to manage water flow, was completely overwhelmed, highlighting the extraordinary volume of rain that fell.

The images of the canal near Kirkham Turn and the Calder & Hebble Navigation show the water level rising to meet the surrounding land, turning the waterway into a vast, muddy lake. Houseboats, usually resting serenely, are caught in the swirling currents, their moorings tested by the floodwaters.

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A Community's Resilience

While these pictures document the physical devastation, they also implicitly tell a story of resilience. The 2015 floods were the worst to hit the area since the 1960s, causing millions of pounds in property damage. Yet, from this shared hardship emerged an incredible community spirit. Neighbours helped neighbours, businesses were rebuilt, and the community came together to clean up the aftermath.

These photographs are more than just records of a flood; they are a testament to the power of nature and the enduring strength of the people who call the Calder Valley home. They remind us to respect our environment and to remember the challenges we have faced and overcome together.

The flooded Calder & Hebble Navigation and Rochdale Canals from Chain Bridge.

The Calder & Hebble overflowing at Chain Bridge.

Rochdale Canal from Tower Hill Bridge. The towpath can normally be seen to the
right of the canal, the small wall probably prevented the car park and nearby town
centre from further damage.

Tuel Lane Lock gates flowing over.

The River Calder flowing past Kingfisher Chase towards Lockhart Mills. The levels is
normally 15 - 20ft lower than this.

The flooded Kirkham Turn. This is where the Rochdale canal joins the Calder &
Hebble Navigation.

Flooding at Tuel Lane Lock on the Rochdale Canal.

Very High River Calder flowing past the Weaving Shed Apartments (right of picture) and
Dugdales Mill left of picture. Dugdales was severely flooded during this event.

River Calder at Gas Works Bridge, considering the damage done to Cromwell, Copley and
Elland Bridges, I was surprised that Gas Works Bridge still stood after the floods.

River Calder at Gas Works Bridge, looking more like a dam head than river crossing.

High level River Calder at Lockhill Mill, much of the red brick building was damaged beyond
repair by the flood and demolished the year after.

River Calder from above the Turks Head Beer Garden, the lower half of the iron footbridge
was just in to the flooded area. Dugdales mill storage yard can be seen heavily
flooded in the background.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.