Fiery Sky at the Ruins of the Church of St Thomas a Becket, Heptonstall

The picture below is the result of a little tinkering with replacing a washed-out overcast sky in a picture I took in November 2013 with a more adventurous sunset-type sky.

The picture shows the inside of the ruined church of St. Thomas a Becket, Heptonstall, a church built on the site of an earlier one in the 15th century. The church was damaged beyond repair in the 19th century and replaced by the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, which occupies the same grounds as its predecessor.

I took the original pre-edited version of the picture on November 16, 2016 with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet; it can be seen un-watermarked on Clickasnap by clicking the image. The link opens in another window.

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Old Lane Mill, Ovenden, Halifax.

 

Towering over Ovenden in Halifax, Old Lane Mill stands as a testament to the industrial past of Yorkshire. Built in 1825, it's not just any mill; it's the oldest surviving multi-storey, steam-powered, iron-framed textile mill in Halifax, possibly even the UK.

James Akroyd, the visionary behind Old Lane Mill, wasn't afraid to push boundaries. He incorporated innovative features like an iron frame and stone floors, allowing the mill to support the weight of the revolutionary Jacquard looms he installed in 1827. These looms, the first of their kind in Britain, marked a significant leap forward in textile production.

Despite claims of being fireproof, Old Lane Mill wasn't immune to disaster. A blaze ripped through the building in 1905, causing significant damage. However, the mill persevered, changing hands and purposes throughout the 20th century. It even served as part of the larger Dean Clough Mill complex for a time.

Today, Old Lane Mill stands derelict, a haunting reminder of a bygone era. The empty shell, though ravaged by time and vandalism, still whispers stories of innovation and industry. The stone floors, stripped-out machinery remnants, and the large engine house with its distinctive features offer a glimpse into the heart of a once-thriving mill.

The future of Old Lane Mill remains uncertain. Preservation efforts are ongoing due to the building's historical significance. Whether it's restored to its former glory or repurposed for a new life, Old Lane Mill undoubtedly deserves to be cherished as a vital piece of Halifax's textile heritage.

Please note: Due to the derelict state of the building, exploring Old Lane Mill is not recommended.

I was in the area on the 15th April 2015 and visited the mill, I made no effort to enter the building as it looks unsafe and I am not good with heights, preferring to just photograph the outside safely on the ground level. There are many others that have photographed and video the inside available to view online, and Martin Zero did an excellent video on YouTube about the mill some 3 years ago that is worth a look. The pictures were taken using a polaroid is2132 bridge camera, they can be seen below or on my Clickasnap account were they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the un-watermarked, higher resolution version on Clickasnap.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Abandoned Farm Building at Bradley

 I found this building whilst walking from Cooper Bridge to Brighouse trying to find a route alongside the Calder and Hebble Navigation.  I just happened upon whilst walking a track that crossed the railway leading down to the canal and with the gates clearly being locked I only photographed the building from the track passing as I am not sure about trespassing.

The pictures were taken on the 27th May 2023 with a Nikon d3300 camera. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to a un-watermarked, higher resolution version of the image on Clickasnap.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Operation Starfish, Dummy Aerodrome at Sowerby, West Yorkshire 16 August 2022

 I previously visited the remains of the Operation Starfish Site on the 15th June 2015 and posted about that visit in an earlier post. Whilst passing on the 16th August 2022 and now in possession of a much better camera I decided to visit the scene again. I knew nothing much would have changed and apart from a bit more rubbish being left, and a bit of damage to the brick work outside nothing really has changed.

The pictures below were taken using a Nikon d3300 SLR and can also be seen full size, resolution and un-watermarked on my Clickasnap account. The text below the pictures is taken from my post dated 3rd February 2018 featuring the images taken in 2015.

The blast door pictured in front of the bunkers main entrance

Inside the bunker on the left hand side of the entrance is this former control
room. Now filling up with rubbish that has been left behind.

Looking north over the bunker. In the foreground can be seen some
brickworks, probably housed washrooms and generators. Their isn't much
evidence of the site ever being linked to mains electric.

The former control room to the right hand side of the entrance.

Looking west away from the bunkers entrance, taken from the roof I
assume the site in front of me would have housed the metal pans
that created the dummy lighting effect.

The following text is taken from my previous post on the Operation Starfish plans.

Operation Starfish was a large scale 2nd World War decoy plan to fool German bombers in to dropping their payloads in the wrong areas. The plan was developed by Colonel John Turner after the near destruction of Coventry in November 1940. The sites were developed in the countryside approx. 4 miles from what were considered targets for the German bombers. The surrounding fields usually had a metal trough through the undergrowth which would be filled with a mixture of creosote, coal, diesel oil and set alight when bombers were in the area, after a short time of usually 15mins water would be added to create an explosion and a burst of flame fooling the overhead bombers in to thinking that it was the target after the initial bombs had dropped.

The site at Sowerby was developed as a decoy for the cities of Manchester and Leeds as well as the railway goods yards at, Greetland, Halifax, Todmorden, Littleborough and Rochdale. The site had a 2 room bunker which is still standing, which was entered through a short passage behind a blast wall.

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Jumble Hole, Between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge

 Jumble Hole is a wooded Valley that runs down from Blackshaw Head towards Eastwood between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. Jumble Hole Clough is the water that runs down it flowing towards the River Calder, although historically this was known as Blackshaw Clough.

The water was used to power a number of mills along its path and a few dwellings were also scattered alongside the stream. Water from Jumble Hole was also used in baptisms by the nearby Nazebottom Baptist Church. This waterway is the traditional boundary between Yorkshire and Lancashire.

I was walking along this stretch of Woodland on the 4th May 2022 and whilst passing a bridge over the clough I discovered and abandoned dwelling that I had to picture. I also did a couple of artworks based around the fireplace that still remains. They can be seen below or on my Clickasnap profile where they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked. They were taken using a Nikon d3300SLR camera.

Inside the abandoned dwelling I found. This artwork is based on
a photo that can be seen below.

Jumble Hole Clough.

Jumble Hole Clough, the abandoned dwelling is just to the right
of the picture.

Another artwork of the inside of the abandoned dwelling.

The abandoned dwelling, it was the top of the fireplace, just visible
that made me go and take a look around.

Jumble Hole Clough weir.

The photo of the fireplace my artworks are based on.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share. All the images can also be seen on Clickasnap.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Old Lane Mill, Ovenden, Halifax

Towering over Ovenden in Halifax, Old Lane Mill stands as a testament to the industrial past of Yorkshire. Built in 1825, it's not just any mill; it's the oldest surviving multi-storey, steam-powered, iron-framed textile mill in Halifax, possibly even the UK.

James Akroyd, the visionary behind Old Lane Mill, wasn't afraid to push boundaries. He incorporated innovative features like an iron frame and stone floors, allowing the mill to support the weight of the revolutionary Jacquard looms he installed in 1827. These looms, the first of their kind in Britain, marked a significant leap forward in textile production.

Despite claims of being fireproof, Old Lane Mill wasn't immune to disaster. A blaze ripped through the building in 1905, causing significant damage. However, the mill persevered, changing hands and purposes throughout the 20th century. It even served as part of the larger Dean Clough Mill complex for a time.

Today, Old Lane Mill stands derelict, a haunting reminder of a bygone era. The empty shell, though ravaged by time and vandalism, still whispers stories of innovation and industry. The stone floors, stripped-out machinery remnants, and the large engine house with its distinctive features offer a glimpse into the heart of a once-thriving mill.

The future of Old Lane Mill remains uncertain. Preservation efforts are ongoing due to the building's historical significance. Whether it's restored to its former glory or repurposed for a new life, Old Lane Mill undoubtedly deserves to be cherished as a vital piece of Halifax's textile heritage.

Please note: Due to the derelict state of the building, exploring Old Lane Mill is not recommended.I was in the area on the 15th April 2015 and visited the mill, I made no effort to enter the building as it looks unsafe and I am not good with heights, preferring to just photograph the outside safely on the ground level. There are many others that have photographed and video the inside available to view online, and Martin Zero did an excellent video on YouTube about the mill some 3 years ago that is worth a look. The pictures were taken using a polaroid is2132 bridge camera, they can be seen below or on my Clickasnap account were they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

The water outlet stands just to the south of Old Lane Mill, it carries
the Ovenden Brook underneath the mill and probably provided some 
of the power source for the mill historically.

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Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the Clickasnap version.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green. Please don't take the approach of an estate agent who a few years ago was marketing the mill and decided to use my pictures without permission, suitable recompense and no credit. The not even bothering to credit me really was the most annoying bit.

Wainhouse Terrace: A Victorian Gem in Halifax

Nestled between the bustling A646 and A58, in the heart of King Cross, near Halifax, lies a silent witness to a bygone era: Wainhouse Terrace. This Grade II listed structure, a remnant of a once-thriving Victorian housing development, stands as a poignant reminder of the area's dramatic transformation in the 1970s.

Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets, the close-knit community that once filled the back-to-back terraces that lined this hillside. Today, only the terrace itself remains, a lone sentinel amidst the modern roads and redeveloped landscape. The vision of John Wainhouse, the same man who gifted us the iconic Wainhouse Tower, this terrace boasts a unique square tower, a spiral staircase winding its way upwards, culminating in a panoramic balcony overlooking the breathtaking Ryburn Valley.

My journey to Wainhouse Terrace in November 2013, captured on my trusty Samsung Galaxy Tablet, revealed a site steeped in history and a touch of melancholy. The echoes of the past seemed to linger in the air, a stark contrast to the roar of traffic on the adjacent roads.

The story of Wainhouse Terrace is one of both preservation and neglect. After the demolition of the surrounding housing in the early 70s, the council wisely transformed the terrace into a viewing area in 1973, offering a glimpse of the stunning valley scenery. For a time, it was cherished and maintained. However, the narrative took a sad turn in March 2008 when the council sold it for a mere £76,000.

Since then, time and the elements have taken their toll. The terrace has fallen into disrepair, a shadow of its former glory. It's a heartbreaking sight, a piece of history slowly crumbling. A glimmer of hope shone in 2016, when a dedicated local volunteer group valiantly attempted to reclaim the site, clearing overgrown vegetation and attempting to stem the tide of decay.

This brings me to my personal vision for Wainhouse Terrace. It possesses an undeniable charm, a unique character that begs to be resurrected. I envision a vibrant market area, a bustling hub of local crafts and produce, or perhaps a tranquil garden, a haven of peace amidst the urban landscape. Imagine the spiral staircase, its ancient stones echoing with the footsteps of visitors, leading to a balcony alive with the chatter of marketgoers or the quiet contemplation of garden enthusiasts.

The terrace, recently re-listed for sale, presents a unique opportunity. It's a chance to breathe new life into a piece of Halifax history, to transform it into a community asset. It's a chance to honour John Wainhouse's legacy and create a space that enriches the lives of locals and visitors alike.

Wainhouse Terrace is more than just bricks and mortar; it's a story waiting to be retold, a canvas awaiting a new masterpiece. Will someone step forward and answer its silent plea? Let's hope so. Because this forgotten gem deserves a second chance to shine.

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Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media, and check out my portfolio's on Photo4Me and ClickAsnap via the link below.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.