Rochdale Canal Overflows in Sowerby Bridge

The 2015 Boxing Day floods marked a turning point for Sowerby Bridge, a town accustomed to the gentle rhythm of its waterways. For the first time in generations, the Rochdale Canal, once a vital artery of the local economy, was overwhelmed. The canal's banks gave way, flooding the towpath and inundating the locks. This historic event, coupled with the devastating impact of the Rivers Ryburn and Calder, forever etched itself into the town's memory.

These Polaroid photographs, preserved in timeless black and white, serve as a poignant reminder of the 2015 Boxing Day floods. The monochromatic format lends a historical and almost melancholic quality to the images, underscoring the enduring impact of this natural disaster.

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Stoodley Pike November 2016

Towering over the Calder Valley, Stoodley Pike is more than just a hill overlooking the town of Todmorden, West Yorkshire; it's a monument; it's a beacon, a challenge, and a gateway to breathtaking panoramas. I embarked on my own Stoodley Pike adventure, and let me tell you, it was an experience in stunning vistas.

There are several routes to the summit, each offering its own unique charm. I opted for the Shaw Wood Road trail, starting from the A646 Burnley Road. The trail leaves Burnley Road almost immediately, crossing over the Rochdale Canal alongside Lock No. 15 Shawplains. The road winds through woodlands before reaching a housing estate at Lee Bottom Road, which runs eastward, offering glimpses of the imposing Pike as you ascend. Be prepared for a good workout, as the trail steadily gains elevation.

Finally, after conquering the final incline, the reward arrives. The 39-step spiral staircase beckons, leading you up another 40 feet to the balcony of the monument. Remember, a torch is recommended, as the narrow passage plunges into darkness, despite a grill that is meant to offer a light source.

The views from the top are nothing short of magnificent. The hill, at a height of 1300 feet, shows rolling fields in every direction, dotted with villages, reservoirs, and the distant Pennine peaks. On a clear day, you can even see Manchester and the Irish Sea! Take a deep breath, soak it all in, and feel the sense of accomplishment wash over you.

But Stoodley Pike is more than just a scenic overlook. It's steeped in history, dating back to the Iron Age. Explore the monument's intriguing inscriptions and weathered stones, whispering tales of the past. A monument was originally built to commemorate the Napoleonic Wars and then rebuilt to remember the Crimean War.

The monument features the following faded inscription above the north facing door:

STOODLEY PIKE

A BEACON MONUMENT

ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION

COMMENCED IN 1814 TO COMMEMORATE

THE SURRENDER OF PARIS TO THE ALLIES

AND FINISHED AFTER THE BATTLE OF

WATERLOO WHEN PEACE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1815.

BY A STRANGE COINCIDENCE

THE PIKE FELL ON THE DAY THE RUSSIAN

AMBASSADOR LEFT LONDON BEFORE THE

DECLARATION OF WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854.

WAS REBUILT WHEN PEACE WAS RESTORED IN

1856.

RESTORED AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR FIXED IN

1889.

 

The pictures below were taken on the 19th November 2016 with a Nikon D3300; they can be seen un-watermarked on my Clickasnap portfolio. Click any image to view it there.

The path up to Stoodley Pike, the monument visible at the summit.

I think the snow clinging to the side of the structure gives the monument a completely different feel to its usual look.

The Calder Valley and beyond towards Lancashire, taken from the base of the monument.

Looking west away from the monument, I have always liked this picture as it's gives the impression the clouds will shortly fall over the edge of the hill.

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Mytholmroyd Railway Station October 2013

 Mytholmroyd Railway Station was opened in May 1847 by the Manchester & Leeds Railway with temporary platforms and buildings, several years after the railway was completed through the Calder Valley. These temporary buildings were replaced by a new station with platforms overhanging Mytholmroyd Viaduct in December 1871 and thats how things remained for over 100 years. In the 1980's some of the buildings that overhung the viaduct were removed, in 1985 the station became an unstaffed stop, and by the decades end the Grade II listed former ticket office and entrance had been bordered up and closed, after new platforms were constructed to the eastern end of the station, the platforms overhanging the viaduct were also removed around this time.

Mytholmroyd Station has limited facilities including a small car park, bus shelter cover on each platform and electronic ticket machines. No refreshment or toilet facilities can be found at the station. In the last full years of passenger numbers the station was used by 45912 passengers. This was for the year 2020/21 during the covid pandemic and was an approx average of 882 per week, down from an average of 3884 per week pre covid.

These pictures were taken using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on the 26th October 2013. They can be seen below or on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

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Stepping Back in Time at Hebden Bridge Station: A Journey Through History and Connectivity

While passing through the vibrant town of Hebden Bridge recently, my feet, familiar with its cobbled streets and independent spirit, instinctively led me towards the railway station. More than just a transport hub, Hebden Bridge Station stands as a proud testament to the region's rich industrial heritage, a living museum where the echoes of steam engines and bustling crowds still seem to linger. On this particular occasion, time was fleeting, allowing me only to capture the essence of the westbound platform – a snapshot that nevertheless speaks volumes about this remarkable place.

To declare Hebden Bridge Station the "best looking" in Calderdale is perhaps subjective, yet its undeniable charm lies in the remarkable preservation of its original character. Stepping onto the platform is akin to stepping back in time. The sturdy stone architecture, the intricate ironwork, and the thoughtful touches that whisper tales of a bygone era all contribute to an atmosphere rarely found in modern transport interchanges.

The station's story began in October 1840, a pivotal moment that initially marked the westernmost reach of the burgeoning railway line. Imagine the anticipation of that time, the sense of connection as Hebden Bridge became a crucial link in the unfolding railway network. Just a few short months later, on New Year's Eve of that same year, the line extended further, piercing through the formidable Summit Tunnel towards Walsden. This engineering marvel paved the way for through services from Leeds to the industrial heartlands of Manchester, commencing in March 1841, with Hebden Bridge playing a vital role as a key stop along this transformative route. The subsequent arrival of services to Halifax and Bradford in 1852 further cemented the station's importance in connecting the communities of the Calder Valley.

The current station buildings, completed in 1893, stand as enduring monuments to Victorian engineering and architectural style. One can almost picture the flurry of activity within their walls as passengers, goods, and news flowed through this vital artery. It's fascinating to consider that the very ground now occupied by the station car park once echoed with the sounds of a bustling goods yard, a hub of commerce until 1966. This transformation from industry to modern transport underscores the evolving role of the station within the community.

A thoughtful nod to the past arrived during the 1997 renovations with the installation of signage in the distinctive colours of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. This subtle yet significant detail serves as a constant reminder of the station's historical roots, a visual thread connecting the present with its proud railway heritage.

Today, Hebden Bridge Station remains a vital and well-maintained gateway. Manned by helpful staff, it offers essential amenities such as toilets and ticket facilities. The presence of a small café provides a welcome space for commuters and visitors alike to grab a coffee and soak in the station's atmosphere. Its convenient location, with bus access immediately outside the main entrance, further enhances its role as a key transport link.

While progress has brought improvements, challenges remain. Currently, disabled access is available to the Leeds-bound platform, but reaching Platform 1, serving trains towards Lancashire and Manchester, still requires navigating steps. However, there is a promising glimmer of progress on the horizon with plans to reinstate the long-dormant lifts between the platforms, a much-needed improvement that will enhance accessibility for all. These lifts, sadly out of use since the 1980s, represent a tangible opportunity to fully modernize the station while respecting its historical fabric.

In terms of connectivity, Hebden Bridge Station offers a robust service. From Platform 1, three trains depart hourly towards Manchester, connecting the town to the wider northwest region, alongside an additional hourly service to Preston. Platform 2 buzzes with even greater frequency, offering four Leeds-bound services each hour, providing connections to the vibrant city and beyond. Notably, these services offer different routes, with three traversing the bustling interchange of Bradford and another heading through the historic town of Dewsbury, offering a variety of travel options for passengers.

Captured on a sunny August afternoon in 2017 with my trusty Nikon D3300, the photograph I took offers a small window into the enduring appeal of Hebden Bridge Station. It's more than just bricks and mortar; it's a living link to the past, a vital artery for the present, and a place brimming with the quiet dignity of a station that has faithfully served its community for nearly two centuries. As I moved on, the image of the westbound platform remained with me, a reminder of the beauty and history that can be found in the most unexpected of places, waiting to be appreciated by those who take a moment to look closer.

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Cross Stone (St Pauls) Church, Todmorden.

The Calder Valley, a ribbon of green winding through the heart of West Yorkshire, holds its secrets close. Amongst its picturesque towns and alongside the tranquil flow of the Rochdale Canal, I'd often glimpsed a solitary silhouette perched high above Todmorden. This was Cross Stone Church, also known as St Paul's, a place that had long piqued my curiosity. Little did I know, the story held within its weathered stones was far more captivating than its distant view suggested.

Finally, on a crisp April day in 2017, armed with my trusty Nikon D3300, I made the climb. What I found wasn't a bustling place of worship, but a silent sentinel, a defunct church with a history etched into its very fabric. Built in 1832, St Paul's wasn't the first sacred space to grace this commanding spot. For centuries before, since at least 1450, earlier churches had stood watch over the valley, their stories now layered beneath the current structure like geological strata.

The year 1978 marked a poignant turning point. Declared unsafe, the church was abandoned, the ominous whisper of it "sliding down the hill" sealing its fate as a place of active worship. This sense of precariousness only added to the air of mystery that clung to the site.

But the history of Cross Stone Church extends beyond its structural woes. Imagine a time when Todmorden was a town divided, straddling the ancient border between Yorkshire and Lancashire. Perched on its hilltop, St Paul's served the spiritual needs of the Yorkshire community, while St Mary's catered to their Lancashire neighbours. The boundary changes of 1888 unified the town under the White Rose of Yorkshire, yet the legacy of this division lingers in the stories of these two churches.

As I wandered the grounds, the silence was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant murmur of the valley below. It was then that I noticed the curious details that hinted at the church's long and varied past. And then there were the lower walls, where a certain "spooky setting" did indeed prevail, the weathered stone hinting at tales untold.

Perhaps the most intriguing discovery was tucked away on the east wall: a set of ancient stocks, now embraced by the untamed beauty of a wild garden. These silent restraints spoke of a time when public punishment was a visible part of community life, a stark reminder of the social structures of centuries past. To see them now, softened by moss and surrounded by wildflowers, was a powerful juxtaposition of harsh history and gentle nature.

My long-awaited visit to Cross Stone Church wasn't the vibrant exploration of a living parish I had perhaps naively envisioned. Instead, it was a journey into the quiet dignity of a forgotten place, a poignant encounter with history etched in stone and whispered on the wind. It served as a powerful reminder that even in abandonment, places hold their stories, waiting for a curious eye and an open heart to listen. The view from the hilltop, overlooking Todmorden and the valley beyond, was breath taking, but the true beauty lay in the silent testament of Cross Stone Church, a steadfast landmark bearing witness to centuries of change.

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