A Winter Ascent to Stoodley Pike

Towering over the Calder Valley, Stoodley Pike is more than just a hill overlooking the town of Todmorden, West Yorkshire. It's a monument, a beacon, a challenge, and a gateway to breathtaking panoramas. I recently embarked on my own Stoodley Pike adventure, and let me tell you, it was an experience of 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. The road steadily gains elevation, so be prepared for a good workout.

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. A torch is highly recommended, as the narrow passage is often plunged in darkness, despite a grill that is meant to offer a light source.

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Views for Days

The views from the top are nothing short of magnificent. The hill, at a height of 1,300 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 let the sense of accomplishment wash over you.

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A Monument to History

Stoodley Pike is steeped in history, dating back to the Iron Age. Explore the monument's intriguing inscriptions and weathered stones, which whisper tales of the past. The original monument was built to commemorate the Napoleonic Wars and then rebuilt to remember the Crimean War.

Above the north-facing door, a faded inscription tells the story of the monument's creation and dramatic rebuilding:

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.

This adventure to Stoodley Pike was a chilly one, but the light dusting of snow made the landscape even more beautiful. These pictures were taken on November 19, 2016, and really capture the unique atmosphere of the hike. It's a journey I won't soon forget.

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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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The Legacy of a Visionary: Edward Akroyd's Halifax

On a grey February day in 2014, with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet in hand, I captured a series of images of a statue in Halifax. This wasn't just any statue; it was a monument to a man whose legacy is etched into the very fabric of the town's social and architectural history: Edward Akroyd.

Born in 1810 in the Ovenden district of Halifax, Edward Akroyd was a textile manufacturer who inherited his father's business in 1847. But he was more than just an industrialist; he was a social reformer with a vision. Deeply concerned by the squalid living conditions of the Victorian era, he embarked on a mission to improve the lives of his workers.

A Model for a Better Life

Akroyd’s most enduring legacy is perhaps the model villages he built for his employees. These communities, Akroyden and Copley, were designed to be a testament to how housing conditions could be dramatically improved. These villages, with their thoughtfully laid-out streets and well-built homes, still stand today, a living reminder of his commitment to his workers' well-being.

His social consciousness didn't stop at housing. He was a pioneer in many other areas, responsible for the establishment of the first working men’s college outside of London, a local allotment society, and a school for child laborers. He even created a workers' pension scheme, a truly forward-thinking initiative for his time. A devout man, he also contributed to the construction of numerous Anglican churches around Halifax, including All Souls Church, which his statue now stands proudly outside of.

A Life of Service

Edward Akroyd's influence stretched far beyond social reform. He was a co-founder of the Yorkshire Penny Bank and the Halifax Building Society, and played a crucial role in bringing the railway to Halifax. He served his country as the Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Yorkshire West Riding Rifle Volunteers and his community as a Member of Parliament for both Huddersfield and Halifax.

A Monument to a Man

The statue itself, a 9-foot bronze figure atop a 10-foot plinth, is a fitting tribute to his stature in the community. Sculpted by Ceccardo Egidio Fucigna and John Birnie Philip, it was unveiled on July 29, 1876, at North Bridge, before a crowd of 10,000 people. On each side of the plinth, bronze panels illustrate key moments from his life.

The panels tell their own stories: one depicts him as Lieutenant Colonel, directing his troops on horseback; another shows him addressing workers, a spade at his feet, symbolizing his role in improving their lives. Another panel is a detailed coat of arms with the motto "In Veritate Victoria" (In Truth, Victory), a motto that seems to embody his life's work.

Due to his failing health, Edward Akroyd eventually moved to St Leonards-on-sea, where he died in 1887. His funeral was a massive event, attended by over 15,000 mourners, a testament to the immense respect and affection he had earned. The statue itself was moved to its current location on October 28, 1901, to make way for the development of the North Bridge for trams, and it was given Grade II listed status on November 3, 1954, securing its place as a protected piece of local history.

Today, this statue stands not just as a likeness of a man, but as a symbol of the enduring impact one individual can have on a community. It's a reminder of a visionary who believed that prosperity should be shared, and that a better life was a right for all.

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The pictures below feature on the plinth and commemorate a scene from the life of Edward Akroyd.

This panel which can be seen on the plinth is to commemorate the
statue being completed by the townspeople of Halifax.

Colonel Akroyd is represented on horseback giving orders out to the 4th
West Yorkshire Rifle Volunteers, at his feet are Major Ingram, Major Holdsworth
and Captain Holroyde. Men from the regiment are visible behind
his horse.

This panel shows the laying of the corner stone at the nearby All
Souls Church on 25th April 1856. Some of the other men shown in the picture are
Mayor Joshua Appleyard, Bishop Longley of Ripon, Reverend Canon
Fawcett, Archdeacon Musgrave, Richard Carter Mayor of Barnsley and
Gilbert Scott architect of All Souls Church.

The picture on this panel shows the cutting of the first sod of the
Leeds, Bradford and Halifax Railway of which Edward Akroyd was
chairman. The picture is to show a scene from 1846 when the railway was
known as the West Riding Union Railway. In addition to Colonel Akroyd
some of the other men featured in the picture are Jonathan Akroyd, Lord Morpeth,
Charles Wood (Lord Halifax), Colonel Joshua pollard and the lines engineer
Sir John Hawkshaw.

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A Vintage Postcard from Brixham

I recently came across a fascinating vintage postcard in my collection, offering a small window into the past. The postcard depicts the Prince of Orange Monument, a prominent landmark on the seafront at Brixham, Devon.

The Postcard's Message

Postmarked August 1935, and sent from Paignton, the card is addressed to:

Miss Joan Harding, Ivy Lodge, West Malvern, Worcestershire.

The message on the back, though slightly faded, reveals a personal touch:

Here is a picture for your scrap book on holiday memories, for your history project book. I saw the statue on holiday when I went to Brixham. I also watched the fishermen cleaning the nets on the quay. Brixham is such a quaint place. I am delighted to hear you are better. Love from W.U.

The Prince of Orange Monument

The postcard's subject, the Prince of Orange Monument, commemorates a significant event in English history. It marks the landing of William of Orange and his army in Brixham on November 5th, 1688. This event was the start of the Glorious Revolution, which saw William take the throne as King William III of England on April 11th, 1689.

The monument itself is a striking white marble statue standing on a granite pedestal. The statue depicts William, Prince of Orange. The monument was erected in 1888-1889. The south-west face of the pedestal has an inscription:

WILLIAM PRINCE OF ORANGE, AFTERWARDS WILLIAM III. KING OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND LANDED NEAR THIS SPOT 5TH NOVEMBER 1688 AND ISSUED HIS FAMOUS DECLARATION "THE LIBERTIES OF ENGLAND AND THE PROTESTANT RELIGION I WILL MAINTAIN"

The monument has been a Grade II listed building since 1949, recognizing its historical importance.

Brixham: A Quaint Fishing Town

The sender of the postcard, W.U., describes Brixham as a "quaint place," and this description still holds true today. Brixham is a charming fishing town with a rich maritime history. Its picturesque harbor, filled with colorful fishing boats, is a testament to its enduring connection to the sea. The image of fishermen cleaning their nets, mentioned in the postcard, is a timeless scene that continues to be part of Brixham's daily life.

A Connection to the Past

This vintage postcard offers more than just a scenic view. It provides a personal connection to a specific moment in time, linking the sender, the recipient, and the historical significance of Brixham. It's a reminder of how postcards served as a means of sharing experiences and memories, creating a tangible link between people and places.

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Funeral of an Unknown Warrior.

My passion lies in capturing moments through my own lens. But beyond creating new images, I have a deep love for unearthing and collecting photographic history – old postcards, forgotten pictures, negatives, and slides all hold a special fascination for me.

I've been thinking it would be interesting to share some of these vintage finds with you, right here on the blog, alongside my own contemporary work. It feels like a wonderful way to connect the past with the present and explore the stories these images tell.

To kick things off, I thought I'd start with two incredibly poignant postcards. These were taken on a significant day in history: November 11th, 1920, during the funeral of the Unknown Warrior. Clicking either image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The unknown warrior was selected by Brigadier L.J. Wyatt who was given a choice of soldiers whose remains had been exhumed from various battlefields and brought to a chapel at Saint Pol sur Ternoise, France on the night of November 7th 1920. Brigadier Wyatt was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel E.A.S. Gell and neither man knew which battlefield each soldiers remains had been exhumed from. The remains had been placed in individual coffins covered by Union Flags, Brigadier Wyatt closed his eyes and rested his hand on one of the coffins which was then selected. The other soldiers remains were then taken away for reburial overseen by the Reverend George Kendall OBE.

The coffin of the unknown warrior then remained in the chapel overnight, and was transferred the following day with a guard and escort, as well as troops lining the route to the castle library, within the ancient citadel at Boulogne where it was guarded overnight by a company of soldiers from the French 8th Infantry Regiment.

On the 9th November 1920 the coffin was places within a casket made from oak timbers of trees within the grounds of Hampton Court Place. The casket was then affixed with a sword chosen personally by King George V from the Royal Collection and banded with iron. The shield that was fixed upon the top of the sword and casket bared the inscription "A British Warrior who fell in the Great War 1914-1918 for King and Country". The coffin was then drawn by six black horses on a French military wagon for the mile long journey to the harbour, The wagon being escorted by local schoolchildren and a division of French troops. The French infantry playing Aux Champs as the coffin left Boulogne.

The casket was met at the harbour by the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Verdun, and was piped aboard with the admirals call, whilst Marshal Foch the commander of the French Armies during the Great War saluted the casket before it was carried up the gangway. The ship left around noon and was joined by an escort of 6 battleships for it's journey across the channel. As the flotilla approached Dover it was greeted by a 19 gun Field Marshals salute.

The casket was landed on the 10th November and travelled from Dover Marine Railway Station to Victoria Station, London where it was to arrive at Platform 8 at 8.32 pm and remain overnight.

Placed on a gun carriage and drawn by 6 horses the casket began it's final journey on the morning of 11 November 1920 passing through large, silent and respectful crowds. Upon departure from Victoria, there was another Field Marshals salute fired in Hype Park. The cortege route passed Hyde Park Corner, The Mall and Whitehall where King George V unveiled the Cenotaph. It was then followed by the King, the Royal Family and ministers of state to Westminster Abbey where it was interred in the far western end of the nave, in soil brought from each of the main Great War battlefields. The grave is capped with a black Belgian marble stone and is the only tomb within Westminster Abbey that people are forbidden to walk. The ceremony included a guard of honour by 100 recipients of the Victoria Cross. The guest of honour at the service were a group of about 100 women who had lost their husbands and all their sons in the war. After internment the armed forces stood guard as tens of thousands of mourners filed past to pay their respects.

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Hebden's Old Bridge (July 2018)

Sometimes, the best adventures are the unplanned ones. Recently, I found myself with a few spare moments in the charming town of Hebden Bridge. Camera in hand, I decided to revisit a familiar and beloved landmark: the ancient packhorse bridge that gracefully spans Hebden Water, right in the heart of town.

This isn't my first encounter with this picturesque bridge. I've shared images of it before, captured with the nostalgic charm of a Polaroid is2132 Bridge Camera and the digital versatility of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, But this time, I was armed with my trusty Nikon D3300, ready to capture the bridge in a different light.

But this bridge isn't just a pretty face; it's a piece of history. Thought to date back to the early 16th century, it stands as a testament to the resilience and spirit of the local community. Imagine! It nearly fell victim to progress when the new turnpike was built in the 1770s, but thanks to the determined residents of Heptonstall, it was spared.

Over the centuries, the bridge has undergone numerous renovations, adapting to the changing times while retaining its historical charm. One of its most distinctive features is the jutting parapets, designed to create passing places due to its narrow width. It's a clever and practical design, a reminder of the bridge's original purpose as a vital crossing point for packhorses carrying goods.

And, of course, the bridge is where the town gets its name: Hebden Bridge. A fitting name for a town that proudly embraces its heritage while looking towards the future.

These few minutes spent capturing the essence of Hebden Bridge served as a gentle reminder of the beauty that can be found in the everyday. It's a reminder to slow down, appreciate the history that surrounds us, and capture those fleeting moments that make a place truly special. Whether it's through the nostalgic lens of a Polaroid or the crisp detail of a DSLR, every image tells a story. And the story of Hebden Bridge, with its ancient packhorse bridge at its heart, is one worth telling.

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

Thanks for looking, 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 the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Whispers of Wind and Stone: Stoodley Pike (October 2013)

Imagine standing atop a windswept hill, the vast expanse of the Calder Valley stretching out before you like a rumpled green carpet. The air is crisp, the silence broken only by the rustling of heather and the distant bleating of sheep. This isn't just any hill; it's Stoodley Pike, a sentinel of the South Pennines, and its crown jewel is the imposing monument that pierces the skyline, a testament to history and resilience.

Stoodley Pike, rising approximately 1300 feet (400 meters) above the villages of Mankinholes and Lumbutts, isn't merely a geographical feature. It's a living chronicle, a place where time folds in on itself. The monument, visible for miles, whispers tales of Napoleonic battles and Crimean conflicts.

But let's rewind a bit. This isn't the first monument to grace this lofty perch. The original, erected in 1815 to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon, succumbed to the harsh Pennine weather and a dramatic lightning strike. It’s even speculated that a monument was present before this. The replacement, designed by James Green and completed in 1856 as the Crimean War ended, stands further from the edge, a lesson learned from its predecessor’s demise.

And what a replacement it is! A formidable stone structure, it houses a spiral staircase that ascends to a balcony, offering panoramic views that will steal your breath away. The climb, however, is not for the faint of heart. 39 steps plunge into near-total darkness, a stark contrast to the brilliant landscape outside. A torch is an absolute must – the "light-enhancing" grill is, as I've found, more of a decorative feature.

As you stand at the entrance, facing north, a faded inscription etched in stone tells a story of war, peace, and strange coincidences:

​STOODLEY PIKEA

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 IN1856.

RESTORED AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR FIXED IN1889.​

This inscription is more than just words; it's a tangible link to the past, a reminder of the turbulent times that shaped our world. The fact that the original monument fell on the eve of the Crimean War is a chilling example of history's uncanny echoes.

Despite its exposed position and frequent lightning strikes, the monument stands strong, a testament to the skill of its builders and the addition of a lightning conductor in 1889. It's a symbol of enduring strength, a beacon in the wild landscape.

My own visit, captured in the photos taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on October 19th, 2013, only scratched the surface of Stoodley Pike's allure. This isn't just a place to visit; it’s a place to experience, to feel the wind whip around you and to imagine the countless generations who have stood on this very spot, gazing out at the same breath taking view.

So, if you find yourself in West Yorkshire, take the time to explore Stoodley Pike. Climb the dark staircase, read the faded inscription, and let the whispers of wind and stone transport you to a different time. You won't just see the Calder Valley; you'll feel its history, its resilience, and its enduring beauty.

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

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

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.