My photographic journey truly began in 2013, sparked by a holiday to Lanzarote. Upon my return, I started exploring my local area with fresh eyes, and naturally, my hometown of Sowerby Bridge became my primary subject.
A Glimpse into Sowerby Bridge's Past
Sowerby Bridge is a bustling market town nestled in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Its origins are deeply rooted in the confluence of the Rivers Calder and Ryburn, where a ford once stood, eventually replaced by the bridge that gave the town its name. The Industrial Revolution marked a period of significant growth for Sowerby Bridge. The rivers, along with numerous streams and inlets, provided the power for the textile and engineering mills that sprang up along their banks. The town became an urban district in 1894 and later merged into the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in 1974.
The town's waterways are particularly notable. Sowerby Bridge is the junction point of the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal, opened in 1770, and the Rochdale Canal, which opened in 1804. While the Calder and Hebble has remained open since its completion, the Rochdale Canal faced closure in 1952, with its last full journey from Sowerby Bridge occurring in 1937. A section of the canal was even infilled and converted into a road (Tuel Lane) and a car park before being gloriously reopened in 1996.
The railway also played a crucial role in Sowerby Bridge's development, arriving in 1840 with the opening of its first station. This station, located near the current Tesco, was replaced in 1876 by the present-day station, strategically moved in anticipation of the new Rishworth Branch Line.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking to the Future
Following the departure of textile and engineering companies, Sowerby Bridge experienced a period of decline. The town's hilly terrain and lack of flat land proved unsuitable for modern industrial development. By the late 1970s, many businesses had left, leading to various regeneration efforts. These included the establishment of a canoe club on the River Calder, the vital restoration of the Rochdale Canal and its wharf area, and the large-scale conversion of former mills into apartments and smaller, more suitable industrial units.
While significantly improved since the 1980s, Sowerby Bridge still grapples with challenges, including persistent traffic congestion and a scarcity of shops to attract visitors. Despite these hurdles, the canals remain a central feature of the town, and the annual Rushbearing festival brings much-needed tourism, though its popularity has waned in recent years.
The pictures I captured around Sowerby Bridge in 2013, all taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, formed the basis of an early YouTube video, marking the true beginning of my photographic exploration.
Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.
Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!
All the pictures and video remain the copyright of Colin Green.
