Sowerby Bridge Railway Station: A Gateway Through Time

Tucked into the heart of the Calder Valley, Sowerby Bridge railway station is more than just a stop along the line—it’s a beautifully preserved piece of industrial history that continues to serve the community today. Opened in 1876 by the Manchester and Leeds Railway, to replace the earlier 1840 station, this station has witnessed the evolution of West Yorkshire’s transport network, from the age of steam to the modern Northern Rail services that still call here daily.

The Jubilee Refreshment Rooms – A Taste of the Past

The first image captures the charming Jubilee Refreshment Rooms, a rare surviving example of Victorian railway hospitality. Originally opened in the late 19th century, the building was once a bustling rest stop for travellers and railway staff alike, offering tea, coffee, and light refreshments to those journeying through the valley.

After years of neglect and near demolition, the structure was lovingly restored and reopened in 2009, reviving its role as a welcoming hub for passengers. Today, the building continues to echo with history—its brickwork, chimney stacks, and sash windows all whispering stories from the golden age of rail.

The Support Arches – Engineering with Purpose

The second image highlights a series of impressive brick support arches underneath the station, remnants of the engineering ingenuity that defined the railway age. These arches form part of the elevated sections that once supported sidings and goods facilities, essential for handling coal, textiles, and other cargo central to Sowerby Bridge’s industrial economy.

Beyond their functional strength, the arches demonstrate the Victorian engineers’ mastery of form and utility. Their curved design distributes weight evenly, allowing heavy locomotives and loads to pass safely above while enduring the test of time and weather. In recent decades, they’ve stood as silent witnesses to change—part of the enduring industrial landscape that defines this corner of Yorkshire.

A Living Heritage

Sowerby Bridge station remains a working reminder of Britain’s railway heritage. With the restored refreshment rooms, the solid arches, and the echoes of steam still lingering in the air, it connects past and present in a way few modern stations can. Whether you’re arriving for a scenic walk along the Calder or simply watching the trains pass by, there’s a sense that history is always just around the corner.

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Remembering Walkley Clog Mill (Canal Wharf Mills)

Nestled between the bustling towns of Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd, a silent sentinel of the industrial past once stood: Walkley Clog Mill, also known as Canal Wharf Mills. These images capture the mill in its later years, a testament to its imposing presence and the passage of time before its tragic destruction by fire.

From these photographs, we can discern the formidable stone structure of the mill, characteristic of the industrial architecture of the Pennine region. Its multi-story facade, punctuated by numerous windows, some sadly broken or boarded up, speaks to a history of industry and the hands that once toiled within its walls. The sheer scale of the building is evident, dominating the landscape and hinting at the significant role it played in the local economy.

One image shows the mill standing proudly alongside the River Calder, which would have been a vital source of power and transport for the mill's operations. The juxtaposition of the weathered stone and the verdant foliage, with trees and undergrowth reclaiming parts of the structure, paints a picture of a building slowly being absorbed back into nature.

Another perspective reveals its prominent roadside position, suggesting its accessibility and importance as a hub of activity. The surrounding landscape, with its characteristic hills and greenery, further emphasizes the mill's integration into the rugged beauty of the Calder Valley.

While the images capture a building in decline, they also hint at its former grandeur and the stories it held within its thick stone walls. Walkley Clog Mill was more than just a building; it was a living piece of local history, a tangible link to the area's clog-making heritage and broader industrial past.

Sadly, this iconic landmark met a devastating end, consumed by fire. These photographs serve as a poignant reminder of what was lost, allowing us to reflect on the mill's architectural character, its historical significance, and the enduring legacy of the industries that shaped this corner of West Yorkshire. Though the mill itself is gone, its memory, and the stories embedded in its very foundations, continue to echo through the valley.

I took these pictures with a Nikon d3300 on the 21st July 2018, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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Tracing the Ghost Tracks: A Walk Along the Rishworth Branch Line

The Ryburn Valley, a picturesque slice of West Yorkshire, holds secrets whispered on the winter wind. On a crisp January day in 2016, armed with my Nikon D3300, I set out to explore a fragment of its forgotten past: the Rishworth Branch Line. This railway, a vital artery in its time, once snaked its way up the valley from Sowerby Bridge, connecting Watson's Mill Crossing, Triangle, and Ripponden before reaching its final destination in Rishworth.

Though the last train rattled along these tracks in the 1950s, the remnants of this once-bustling line remain, etched into the landscape. My journey, a roughly half-mile trek, took me from the echoes of Watson's Mill to the quiet village of Triangle. And what a journey it was!

The air was sharp and cold, the ground firm underfoot, as I followed the ghostly path of the former trackbed. The silence was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of winter-bare trees and the distant murmur of the Ryburn River. It was easy to imagine the steam engines, their rhythmic chugging echoing through the valley, the shouts of passengers and the clatter of cargo.

What struck me most were the bridges. These sturdy stone structures, silent witnesses to a bygone era, still spanned the former trackbed, their arches framing snippets of the valley's beauty. They stood as testaments to the engineering prowess of the past, their weathered stones bearing the marks of time and the elements.

The photographs I captured on that day, the 30th of January 2016, tell a story of quiet resilience. The stark beauty of the winter landscape, the skeletal trees against the pale sky, the weathered stones of the bridges – all combined to create a sense of timelessness.

Walking along the Rishworth Branch Line was like stepping into a historical photograph. It was a journey through time, a glimpse into a world where steam engines ruled the rails and communities were connected by the iron horse.

It's a reminder that even when progress moves forward, the echoes of the past remain, woven into the fabric of the landscape. The Rishworth Branch Line, though silent, continues to tell its story, a story of connection, community, and the enduring beauty of the Ryburn Valley. If you ever find yourself in the area, take a walk along these ghost tracks. You might just hear the whispers of history on the winter wind.

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

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All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Aspinall Street: Where Ted Hughes Began

Nestled in the heart of Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, a seemingly ordinary terraced house holds an extraordinary secret. 1 Aspinall Street, with its unassuming facade, is the birthplace of one of England's most celebrated poets, Ted Hughes. Born on August 17th, 1930, Hughes's early years within these walls, and the wild, dramatic landscape surrounding them, would forever shape his poetic vision.

Imagine a young Ted, his imagination ignited by the rugged beauty of the Calder Valley. The wind whistling through the hills, the dark, brooding moors, the rushing waters of the River Calder – these were the raw materials that would later be forged into the powerful imagery of his poetry. He lived here until he was eight, a formative period that imprinted the very essence of this place onto his soul, even after his family moved to Mexborough, South Yorkshire.

It's fascinating to consider how this small, terraced house, a humble beginning, could nurture such a towering literary figure. The landscape of Mytholmroyd, with its blend of industrial grit and untamed nature, is palpable in Hughes's work. You can almost feel the dampness of the stone, hear the cries of the curlews, and sense the ancient, elemental forces that he so masterfully evoked.

Today, 1 Aspinall Street stands as a testament to Hughes's legacy, thanks to the dedicated work of the Elmet Trust. Established in 2006, the Trust is a passionate advocate for Hughes's life and work. They took on the responsibility of restoring the house, meticulously recreating its 1930s ambiance. In June 2008, their efforts culminated in a beautifully preserved piece of literary history.

But 1 Aspinall Street isn't just a museum piece. It's a living, breathing space, a retreat for writers seeking inspiration in the very place where Hughes's own journey began. Imagine yourself, pen in hand, sitting by the window, gazing out at the same vistas that fuelled his imagination. The very air seems charged with creative energy.

The Elmet Trust has transformed this modest dwelling into a sanctuary, a place where words can flow freely, where the echoes of Hughes's voice can still be heard. It's a reminder that even the most extraordinary journeys often begin in the most ordinary of places.

If you're a writer, a poet, or simply a lover of literature, consider a pilgrimage to 1 Aspinall Street. It's more than just a house; it's a portal to the past, a connection to the roots of a literary giant, and a chance to experience the very landscape that shaped his genius.

Perhaps, within those walls, you too will find your own voice, inspired by the whispers of Aspinall Street.

I took these pictures on the 21st July 2018 with a Nikon d3300, clicking on any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

I wanted to add the sepia & black and white versions to age the pictures a little, i felt they gave the photo's a bit more character than the colour versions.

The picture below features a copy of Hughes poem the Harvest Moon, no copyright infringement is intended and I will remove if required.

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 links below.

All pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.