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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A Glimpse into the Past: Copley Bridge and Its Enduring Legacy

The Calder Valley, a picturesque region in West Yorkshire, England, holds stories etched in its landscape, and among them is the tale of Copley Bridge. This blog post, inspired by historical accounts and evocative photographs, takes a look at the original Copley Bridge, a structure that stood for over 180 years before succumbing to the devastating Boxing Day floods of 2015.

The Original Copley Bridge: A Testament to 19th-Century Engineering

The Copley River Bridge, a two-arch stone bridge, was a vital crossing point over the River Calder, carrying North Dean Road. Its construction in 1831 was overseen by Richard Kennett-Dawson, the last Lord of the Manor of Copley. This historical detail highlights the bridge's significance as a private undertaking, serving the local community and connecting routes within the manor.

Our accompanying images offer a sepia-toned window into this bygone era. One photograph clearly shows the charming, octagonal toll house that stood beside the bridge, complete with its distinctive roof and shuttered windows. Another close-up of the toll board reveals the fees charged to cross, a common practice for privately built infrastructure of the time. "Motor Cars 1/6" and "Motor Cycle 6d" give us a fascinating insight into the early days of motorised transport and the various charges for different modes of passage, from horses and carriages to livestock. The inscription on the board, "BWKD 1833," likely refers to the "Copley Bridge Bar" being established or formally in use by that year, further reinforcing its private status. The notice also states that refusal to pay would result in being "considered a trespasser and treated accordingly."

The imposition of tolls, however, was not forever. In 1856, after 25 years, the fees were abolished, making passage across the bridge free for all.

A Path Through Time: The Bridge's Surroundings

The photographs also beautifully capture the serene, tree-lined path leading to and from the bridge, hinting at a quieter time. The sepia tone lends an air of nostalgia, emphasizing the passage of time and the history embedded in the very stones of the bridge and its surroundings. The presence of St. Stephen's Church in the background of one image further grounds the bridge within the historical and community fabric of Copley.

The Unforgiving Hand of Nature: Boxing Day 2015

For 184 years, Copley Bridge stood strong, a silent witness to generations of local life and progress. However, on Boxing Day, December 26, 2015, the Calder Valley experienced unprecedented flooding. The raging waters of the River Calder proved too much for the historic structure. Copley Bridge was severely damaged, and ultimately, the decision was made to demolish its remains for safety reasons.

The story of Copley Bridge is a poignant reminder of both the resilience of human endeavour and the powerful, often unpredictable, forces of nature. While the original stone arches are gone, the legacy of Copley Bridge lives on in the new Wilson Bridge, continuing to connect communities and serving as a testament to the rich history of the Calder Valley.

This small set of pictures taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 27th October 2013, Clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Copley Toll Booth

Fee structure for crossing the bridge.

The above fee board could be found on the side of Copley Toll Booth when I visited in 2013, I am not sure if the board is still there.

This picture taken stood towards the end of Copley River (Toll) Bridge shows the Toll Booth to the right, and to the left is the lych-gate to St Stephens Church, Copley. North Dean Woods can be seen beyond and the road heads in the direction of Norland and Greetland.

A scene that can never be repeated is this one of the Copley River (Toll) Bridge. The roof of St Stephen's Church can be seen with North Dean Woods behind.

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A Town Holds Its Breath: Sowerby Bridge and the March 2019 Flood Scare

The memories of Boxing Day 2015 are still vivid for many in Sowerby Bridge, a day when floodwaters ravaged the town. So, when days of relentless rain in mid-March 2019 caused the Rochdale Canal and the Rivers Calder & Ryburn to swell, a collective sense of unease, and then alarm, rippled through the community.

On March 16th, 2019, as the water levels steadily climbed, residents watched with bated breath. The fear of a repeat of 2015 was palpable. I was there, documenting the unfolding situation, and captured video clips of that anxious night and the morning after.

The first video, which I've uploaded to YouTube, truly shows the town as the levels were rising. You can see the sheer volume of water and the immediate concern it generated.

And the next 2 show Mearclough Bridge and Sowerby Bridge Cricket Ground on the nights when the levels were rising and the morning after when the rivers were much lower.

Thankfully, by the morning after, the town breathed a collective sigh of relief. The worst had been averted, but the experience served as a stark reminder of Sowerby Bridge's vulnerability to the power of nature.

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Venice: Day 1, 29 October 2018

Monday, October 29th, 2018. Our arrival in the fabled city of Venice was less a gentle gondola ride and more a wade into watery wonder. Instead of the postcard-perfect canals reflecting centuries of history, we were greeted by an altogether more dramatic scene: Venice submerged.

They say acqua alta, the high water, is a part of Venetian life. But the deluge that greeted us on our first day was something else entirely. Reports trickled in of the worst flooding in over a decade, the water levels in places, particularly around the iconic St. Mark's Square, creeping alarmingly close to three feet. The romantic notion of exploring the labyrinthine alleyways quickly dissolved into the more pressing reality of navigating a city rapidly turning into a temporary lagoon.

Our initial plans for a leisurely exploration were, shall we say, dampened. The heart of Venice, the areas we had dreamt of seeing first, were simply unreachable. Instead, our initial hours were spent confined to the periphery – the areas around the airport and our hotel becoming our unexpected initial playground.

But even in these less celebrated corners, the power and strangeness of the situation were undeniable. The familiar sounds of rolling suitcases were replaced by the slosh of water, the usual bustle punctuated by the lapping tide against doorways. Reflections danced on surfaces that should have been dry, turning ordinary streets into shimmering, albeit inconvenient, waterways.

Armed with whatever photographic tool came to hand – my trusty Sony phone for quick snaps, the surprisingly capable camera on my Amazon tablet, and my reliable Nikon D330 SLR for when conditions allowed – I tried to capture the surreal beauty of this unexpected introduction to Venice. These first images aren't of grand palazzos or bustling markets. They are a testament to the resilience of a city facing a formidable force of nature, a glimpse into the everyday adapting to the extraordinary.

They are pictures of a city holding its breath, waiting for the waters to recede, but even in its submerged state, radiating a unique and unforgettable charm. This wasn't the Venice we expected, but it was certainly a Venice we will never forget. Stay tuned for more as (hopefully!) the waters subside and we can venture deeper into the heart of this incredible, if currently very wet, city.

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Taken at the Venice airport boat moorings waiting for my transfer to the city.

This was my first proper land based view of Venice, taken from the boat landing area near
St Marks Square looking across the water to the church of San Giorgio Maggiore.

Looking down from my hotel room at San Marco Palace to the flooded courtyard below.

Flooding outside Doge's Palace at the entrance to St Mark's Square. The water got deeper than
this crossing the square, reaching chest height on me before I successfully reached my hotel.

The hotel steps.

I took this shortly after take off from Manchester Airport looking out across the Peak
District. The sun had not long since risen. At a guess I think the plane would have been
somewhere between Marple Bridge and New Mills.

The Hotel Steps again, looking up towards the sky light.

Looking down towards the Alps Mountain range somewhere near the borders of Switzerland,
Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy.

The rooftops of Venice viewed from my hotel room at San Marco Palace.

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