The Gateway to the Calder Valley: Exploring Halifax Railway Station

 Stepping onto the platform at Halifax Railway Station is more than just a transition between trains; it is an immersion into the industrial heartbeat of West Yorkshire. The station, a blend of mid-Victorian grandeur and rugged Pennine utility, serves as a striking threshold to a town that built its fortune on wool, flour, and engineering. For any traveller or photographer, the views from these platforms offer a vertical slice of history, where 19th-century brickwork meets the ambitious infrastructure projects of the modern era.

A Legacy in Stone: The Station’s Origins

The story of Halifax’s rail connection is one of perseverance against the landscape. While the main Manchester and Leeds line originally bypassed the town due to its steep valleys, a branch line finally reached Halifax in 1844. The station we see today, largely defined by the designs of Thomas Butterworth and opened in 1855, replaced the original terminus.

One of the most evocative sights from Platform 1 is the 1855 building itself. This Grade II listed structure, with its ashlar stone and classical portico, no longer serves as the main passenger entrance—it now houses the nursery for the nearby Eureka! The National Children’s Museum. However, its presence remains a powerful reminder of the "Railway Mania" era, when stations were built as "temples of travel."

The Industrial Skyline: The Halifax Flour Society

Looking out from the station toward the east, your eye is immediately drawn to the massive, five-storey brick edifice that dominates the horizon. This is the Halifax Flour Society building, a monument to Victorian cooperation. Built in 1879, it was once one of the largest grain mills in the country.

The Flour Society was born out of necessity in 1847 to provide affordable, unadulterated bread to the working class during a time of extreme economic hardship. Today, the building stands as part of the Nestlé site, yet the faded lettering of "HALIFAX FLOUR SOCIETY" still whispers from its walls, overlooking the tracks that once brought in the coal and grain required to feed the town.

Into the Hill: The Beacon Hill Tunnel

If you look south from the platforms, the tracks disappear into the darkness of the Beacon Hill Tunnel. This tunnel represents a significant engineering feat, boring through the gritstone and coal measures of Beacon Hill. The hill itself is a landmark of local legend, having hosted everything from Armada warning beacons to the grisly display of the Cragg Vale Coiners in the 18th century.

Watching a train emerge from the tunnel is a favourite moment for rail enthusiasts. It marks the final hurdle of the trans-Pennine journey before the line opens up into the station, framed by the steep, green slopes that give Halifax its dramatic, enclosed character.

The Modern Arrival: The Entrance Bridge

The current entrance to the station is via a high-level pedestrian bridge that spans the tracks, connecting the town centre at Horton Street to the station platforms. This bridge provides a perfect vantage point for photographers. From here, you can see the "layering" of the station: the active platforms below, the Victorian signal box, and the sprawling complex of Eureka! and the Piece Hall just beyond.

While the bridge is a functional piece of 20th-century infrastructure, it is currently at the heart of exciting redevelopment plans. Calderdale Council has proposed a transformational project that includes:

• A new two-storey station building: Replacing the current modular facilities with a modern, glazed concourse.

• A new "Town Footbridge": An iconic structure to improve cycle and pedestrian connectivity to the town’s cultural gateway.

• Reopening historic underpasses: Making the station a "through-route" rather than a dead-end, linking the Hebble Trail to the town centre.

A Photographer's Perspective

For those visiting with a camera, Halifax Railway Station offers a wealth of textures and angles. The contrast between the weathered gritstone of the viaducts and the sharp lines of modern rolling stock creates a compelling narrative.

• The "Beacon Hill Shot": Capturing the station with the looming green hill and the replica beacon in the background.

• The Detail Work: Focusing on the ironwork of the platform canopies or the intricate stone carvings on the 1855 building.

• The Industrial Echo: Using the Flour Society mill as a backdrop for departing trains to emphasize the town’s manufacturing heritage.

Conclusion

Halifax Railway Station is a place where time seems to fold in on itself. You can stand on a modern platform, look at a 19th-century mill, and walk through an entrance bridge destined for 21st-century renewal. It is a gateway that honours its past while leaning into a future as a world-class transport hub. Whether you are a local commuter or a visitor arriving to explore the Piece Hall, take a moment to look beyond the tracks—there is a whole world of history waiting to be seen.

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 images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

An August Evening in the Pennines: Where Moorland Meets Motorway at Scammonden

Date: August 4th, 2018 Location: Scammonden, West Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Pennines, with their sweeping moorlands and dramatic valleys, hold a timeless quality. Yet, there’s one spot where the ancient landscape collides spectacularly with modern human ingenuity: Scammonden. Looking back at the photographs I captured on an early August evening in 2018, the unique character of this location—a crossroads of history, engineering, and stunning nature—is vividly apparent.

The Scenery: Golden Hour on the Moor

• The Light: The sun, low in the sky, bathes the scene in a warm, amber glow. On a summer evening, particularly following what was a famously hot summer in 2018, this light is intensely beautiful, bringing out the deep, earthy tones of the heather and rough grasses that cover the hills.

• The Landscape: You can sense the vastness of the exposed Pennine moorland—a land shaped by centuries of wind and rain. The slopes look rugged yet inviting, a perfect place for quiet reflection as the day cools down.

This area, high up on the backbone of England, offers a breath taking sense of isolation, a characteristic that makes its juxtaposition with the nearby motorway all the more striking.

The Modern Marvel: The M62 at Scammonden Dam

The M62, the vital trans-Pennine route, here performs one of its most impressive feats. Instead of a conventional bridge, the motorway runs along the crest of a massive structure known as the Scammonden Dam, which impounds the water to form Scammonden Reservoir (or Scammonden Water).

• A World-Class Design: Completed in the early 1970s, this dam was the first in the world to carry a motorway along its crest, and remains the only one of its kind in Britain. It's a spectacular example of multi-purpose civil engineering, solving the problems of both crossing a deep valley and providing a much-needed water supply for Huddersfield.

• The Viewpoint: Your pictures clearly show the elevated position of the motorway, giving an incredible vantage point for drivers and observers alike. The sheer scale of the cutting and the embankment is immense—a lasting monument to the ambition of the mid-20th-century road builders.

The faint streams of traffic in the images—perhaps captured with a slightly longer exposure as the light faded—represent the ceaseless flow of commerce and life connecting the East and West of the country, all happening atop this silent, earth-filled wall.

The Companion Reservoir: Booth Wood

• Booth Wood's Role: Lying just north of the M62 and Scammonden, Booth Wood Reservoir is another important feature in this water-rich landscape, supplying water to Wakefield. Like its larger neighbour, it was completed around the same time, in 1971.

• A Complex Water System: Looking out over Booth Wood, you get a sense of the complex network of reservoirs in this area, catching the water from the high moors and channelling it down to the towns and cities of West Yorkshire. It's a reminder that this scenic expanse is also a crucial utility landscape, quietly sustaining the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

A Village Beneath the Water

Perhaps the most fascinating detail of all lies beneath the surface of Scammonden Water. The reservoir's creation required a significant sacrifice: the valley floor was once home to the small village of Deanhead.

When the valley was flooded, most of the village's structures were demolished. However, the old Deanhead Church was spared and converted into what is now the local sailing club headquarters, sitting on the reservoir's edge—a tangible connection to the community that was displaced. Imagine the history held within the silent water, with the roar of the M62 overhead creating a truly unique historical contrast.

---

Scammonden is more than just a stop-off; it is a profound location that tells a story of:

• Natural Beauty: The enduring wildness of the Pennines.

• Human Endeavor: The audacity and scale of its civil engineering.

• Lost History: The ghost of the village that sleeps beneath the dam.

Your photos from that August evening perfectly capture this three-part harmony. It's a place that commands attention, making you pause and appreciate the layers of life, nature, and engineering piled one atop the other.

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 remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Venice After Dark: A Photo Journey Through the Ethereal Floating City

The Floating City is famous for its bright summer sun and crowded piazzas, but to truly feel Venice, you must meet her at night, in the crisp air of late autumn. These photos, taken on November 1st, 2018, with my Nikon D3300, capture that elusive, quiet magic—a city of stone and water, transformed by the theatrical glow of lamplight.

---

Twilight on the Grand Canal

November in Venice offers a different experience than the peak tourist season, with fewer crowds and the chance to appreciate the city's historical architecture in a more intimate setting. While the temperatures were cool, the air was clear, creating perfect conditions for reflections on the water.

In the first two images, the Grand Canal is an inky mirror, doubling the golden light spilling from the grand palaces . The rows of gondolas, usually bustling with daytime activity, are now moored, their sleek, dark forms waiting patiently beneath their blue covers. The glow highlights the stately, arched windows of the surrounding buildings, hinting at centuries of life and history behind those Venetian facades.

---

San Marco's Basin at Dusk

As twilight deepens, the lagoon reveals some of Venice's most iconic landmarks, beautifully framed by a dramatic, cloud-strewn sky.

The most striking view is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, a breathtaking Baroque masterpiece . Built as a votive offering after the devastating plague of 1630, the church's massive central dome and volutes stand prominently where the Grand Canal meets the San Marco Basin. Its construction began in 1631/32 and was consecrated in 1687. This magnificent structure is still the focus of the annual Festa della Salute on November 21st, when a temporary bridge is built across the Grand Canal to commemorate the city’s deliverance from the plague.

Further along the waterfront, the view across the basin captures the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore rising from its own island, a classic Venetian vista that becomes even more serene under the blue wash of evening .

---

Bridges and Back Alleys

Away from the Grand Canal, the magic continues in the intimate, smaller squares and alleyways. The stillness of November nights allows you to fully absorb the architectural details.

• Ponte della Paglia: This famous stone bridge, which has its current structure dating from 1847, offers an incredible view of the adjacent Doge's Palace . Its name is thought to come from the boats that would moor nearby to unload straw (paglia).

• Campo San Giacomo di Rialto: Here, the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto (known as San Giacometto) stands illuminated. Believed by tradition to be the oldest church in Venice (built in 421 AD), it is notable for the large, 15th-century clock on its façade and the original Gothic portico.

• The Narrow Streets: The warmth of interior light pours from shops and apartments onto the slick cobblestones of the Calli and Campi . In Calle della Madonna or Campo San Gallo, people gather, their silhouettes absorbing the golden glow, giving the ancient city a pulse of modern life. 

Venice in November is a city of quiet reflection and stunning contrast, where the dark skies make the man-made light feel all the more precious. If you ever visit the Serenissima, trade the summer sun for a late autumn night—you'll see a side of Venice few ever truly experience.

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 remain the copyright of Colin Green.

The Salvage Archive: Unpacking a "Mountain Pass" from a Vintage Slide

 The Scene: A Path to the Unknown

This striking 35mm slide, simply titled "Mountain Pass" in my collection, is a captivating glimpse into a rugged, untamed wilderness. The image beckons the viewer to follow the narrow path that winds its way through a valley, hinting at adventure and breath taking vistas beyond.

What we see:

• A narrow, winding dirt path leading deeper into a mountain valley.

• Steep, imposing mountainsides flanking both sides of the pass. The peaks in the distance appear snow-capped or glacier-covered, suggesting high elevation.

• The vegetation is sparse but vibrant: low-lying shrubs, hardy bushes, and colourful wildflowers (purples, oranges, yellows) clinging to rocks and the grassy ground. This kind of hardy flora is characteristic of alpine or sub-alpine environments.

• Large boulders and rock formations are scattered throughout the foreground and midground, suggesting glacial activity or ancient geological processes.

• The sky is bright and clear, indicating good weather for hiking, but the overall atmosphere is one of remoteness and grandeur.

Where in the World? Clues from the Landscape

The vegetation, the types of mountains, and the overall ruggedness narrow down the possibilities for this "Mountain Pass."

• High-Altitude Flora: The specific type of shrubbery and colourful wildflowers, growing low to the ground, is typical of Andean alpine zones (known as puna or paramo) or similar high-altitude regions.

• Geological Features: The steep, glaciated peaks and the U-shaped valley (often carved by glaciers) are highly characteristic of the Andes Mountains in South America, particularly in countries like Peru or Bolivia. The lack of dense forest at this elevation also points to an environment above the tree line.

• Comparison to Known Passes: This scene strongly resembles sections of famous trekking routes like the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or other passes in the Cordillera Blanca in Peru. Many passes in these regions feature similar rock formations, hardy vegetation, and distant snow-capped giants.

While it's impossible to pinpoint the exact pass without more information, the visual evidence strongly suggests a location within the Peruvian or Bolivian Andes.

Dating the Slide: A Mid-Century Adventure (Circa 1960s-1970s)

Given that this is a 35mm slide from a collection, we can estimate its age:

• Slide Film: The vibrant, slightly desaturated, yet still rich colours are characteristic of colour slide films (like Kodachrome or Ektachrome) popular from the 1950s through the 1980s. The particular colour rendition suggests a film stock from the 1960s or 1970s.

• Travel Context: High-altitude trekking in the Andes, while certainly undertaken by adventurers before this time, became more accessible and popular for international tourists and photographers during the latter half of the 20th century.

• Likely Date: Mid-1960s to Mid-1970s.

The Story Behind the Photo

This slide captures more than just a landscape; it captures an adventure. Someone, perhaps a passionate hiker or an intrepid explorer, ventured into this remote pass, carrying their 35mm camera, likely a trusty SLR. They took the time to compose this shot, capturing the essence of their journey—the challenging terrain, the wild beauty, and the promise of what lay beyond the next bend in the trail.

It's a reminder of the timeless allure of the mountains and the enduring spirit of human exploration.

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!

Stones of History and Dales Views: A Photo Journey Through Settle, North Yorkshire

Settle, nestled in the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, is a market town where the past is visibly woven into the present. A recent trip allowed me to capture a collection of images that perfectly illustrate this blend of history, architecture, and dramatic scenery. Join me as we explore the stories behind these Settle snapshots.

The Folly: A Grand Statement in Stone

One of the most architecturally striking buildings in Settle, and a central feature of any visit, is the magnificent house known as The Folly

This imposing structure, with its multiple gables and magnificent mullioned windows, is a superb example of seventeenth-century gentry house architecture.

• A Solicitor’s Ambition: The Folly was built in the late 1670s (either 1675 or 1679) by a wealthy local solicitor, Richard Preston. He strategically placed it where the main road entered Settle at the time, clearly intending to display his wealth and status to all who arrived.

• The Name: Why "The Folly"? While the name is often associated with a costly but useless structure, in this case, it’s also thought to have derived from the French word feuille, meaning leaves, or even an earlier meaning of "delight."

• A Building of Many Lives: Over the centuries, The Folly has led a remarkable number of lives, including a family home, a farmhouse, a bakery, a furniture shop, a doctor's surgery, and even a fish and chip shop! Today, after meticulous restoration, it is owned by the North Craven Building Preservation Trust and houses the Museum of North Craven Life. Its survival and current use are a testament to the community’s dedication to heritage.

The Talbot Arms: An Ancient Hostelry

The brilliant white facade of the Talbot Arms contrasts sharply with Settle's traditional stone, but its history is just as deep.

• Claiming Antiquity: The Talbot Arms is reputed to be one of Settle's oldest pubs, with claims of a history dating back to 1642. Inns like this were vital stopping points along the ancient trade routes that crossed the Dales.

• On the Old Road: The pub stands on what was historically the main street, the pre-turnpike road to Skipton, a prime location for catching travellers and locals alike. It remains a popular, welcoming free house today, celebrating local Yorkshire ales.

The Town’s Commercial Hub: A Distinctive Facade

Another photograph captures a significant building, now housing commercial premises, standing prominently on a corner. Its formal stone facade, with a central arched entrance and striking circular window above, suggests a public or commercial role, possibly even a bank or municipal building in its past.

This building is an excellent example of the 18th or 19th-century confidence and prosperity that grew in Settle as a central market town, often incorporating architectural grandeur into its commercial premises to reflect its importance. The bunting adds a touch of modern life and festivity to the historic setting.

The Mystery of the Elephants

A quirky and unexpected sight in the town is the pair of metal elephant sculptures. This small installation adds a delightful, slightly eccentric touch to the streetscape, standing in front of what the sign indicates is the Tourist Information Centre.

• A Literary Connection? While a definitive origin is hard to pin down immediately, the elephants might subtly nod to a literary or historical figure with a local connection. Settle is known for its surprising link to the famous novelist and aeronautical engineer, Nevil Shute. Though he is more famously associated with Australia and aviation, there are local stories suggesting connections to the area that sometimes inspire local art or references.

Castlebergh and the Landscape of the Dales

The final photograph pulls back from the town to showcase its magnificent backdrop: the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. Dominating the view is the steep, grass-covered limestone crag that rises directly behind the town.

• Castlebergh Crag: This striking hill, or crag, is known as Castlebergh. It has been a prominent feature and viewpoint for centuries. Notice the column of stone rising from the woods below the crag—this is likely part of the Castlebergh Plantation, a wooded area on the lower slopes.

• Victorian Pleasure Ground: Castlebergh became a popular attraction in the Victorian era, laid out with paths and even serving as a pleasure ground, attracting visitors arriving via the newly constructed Settle-Carlisle Railway. The views from the top, where a flagpole now stands, are truly spectacular, overlooking the town and the vast green expanses of Ribblesdale.

Settle offers a rich tapestry of sights, from grand 17th-century houses and historic pubs to captivating landscapes and charming modern touches. These photographs capture just a few layers of this beautiful and history-rich North Yorkshire town.

I took the pictures with a Nikon d3300 in August 2016, clicking any of them 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 remain the copyright of Colin Green.

The Salvage Archive: A Glimpse Back, Cowes in Days Gone By

There's something incredibly satisfying about diving into a box of old 35mm slides. Each transparency is a tiny window to the past, a frozen moment in time waiting to be rediscovered. Today, I pulled out this fantastic shot of Cowes, and it immediately sparked a wave of nostalgia and curiosity.

This image captures the quintessential charm of Cowes, a town synonymous with sailing and the Isle of Wight. Looking at the serene harbour, with its distinctive buildings lining the waterfront and the gentle bobbing of boats, you can almost hear the gulls and feel the sea breeze.

Let's take a closer look at what we can see. The architecture along the High Street is classic Cowes, a mix of historic buildings that have witnessed countless regattas and maritime events. The calm water reflects the clear blue sky, suggesting a beautiful, probably summer, day. The boats, from small dinghies to what look like larger yachts further out, reinforce the town's identity as a sailing hub.

Dating the Image: A Little Detective Work

One of the most fun parts of revisiting old slides is trying to pinpoint when they were taken. While I don't have an exact date noted for this particular slide, there are a few clues that can help us narrow it down.

Firstly, the overall feel of the photograph – the colours, the quality of the film, and the general appearance of the boats and buildings – strongly suggests a 1970s or early 1980s timeframe. The style of some of the smaller boats and the lack of overtly modern marina infrastructure point towards this era. There's a wonderful, unhurried quality to the scene that feels characteristic of those decades before widespread digital photography.

Specific details that might help include:

• The design of the pontoons and walkways.

• The types of cars (though none are clearly visible, their absence is also a clue!)

• Any particular signage on the buildings, though these aren't entirely clear in this view.

This photograph is more than just a picture of a place; it's a snapshot of an era. It reminds me of leisurely days spent exploring the British coast, a time when film cameras were the norm, and every click was a carefully considered moment. I'm so glad these slides have preserved such beautiful memories.

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!

The Salvage Archive: Dating a Timeless View of the Wye Valley

This stunning 35mm slide, simply labelled "Wye Valley," captures the classic, tranquil beauty of the English and Welsh borderlands. The image is a broad, sweeping panorama of the River Wye winding through lush farmland, anchored by a cluster of charming, traditional houses in the foreground.

While the specific location along the 134-mile-long River Wye is a detective job, we can make some highly educated guesses about both the spot and the date based on the visual clues provided.

---

Pinpointing the Location: The River's Embrace

The key feature here is the highly meandering bend of the river that almost creates an oxbow lake around a large field. This kind of pronounced meander is characteristic of the Wye as it flows through the flatter sections of its course, particularly as it heads south towards the Severn Estuary.

• Lookout Point: The photograph is clearly taken from an elevated position, looking down over the scene. This suggests it was taken from a hill, a high bank, or perhaps an upstairs window of a property along the river.

• The Village: The cluster of traditional houses in the foreground, with their steep roofs and classic British architecture, suggests the viewpoint is near a small village or hamlet. The white or cream-coloured houses are typical of many settlements in the area.

• Likely Area: Sections of the Wye near Symonds Yat (though this view seems flatter) or between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye are known for these magnificent, looping bends and wide, pastoral landscapes. A very strong candidate area is the beautiful scenery around Bodenham, north of Hereford, where the Wye performs dramatic loops through the low-lying agricultural land.

---

Dating the Image: A Mid-Century Mystery

The best clue for dating this image lies, as often is the case, with the motor vehicle in the foreground.

• The Car: Just visible on the road is a small, two-tone classic car. Based on its rounded body shape, pronounced headlights, and compact size, this appears to be a Morris Minor, likely a late-model saloon.

  • The Morris Minor was produced until 1971 (though some variants earlier).

  • The styling suggests it's a model from the late 1950s or 1960s. Its presence on the road means the photo must be from the period when these cars were common, or shortly after production ceased.

• The Colour Palette: The rich, slightly saturated, and warm tones of the slide film are very typical of colour film stock used in the late 1960s or early 1970s (Kodak Ektachrome or similar). The deep greens and intense blue sky are characteristic of this era of slide photography.

• Absence of Modern Features: There is a notable lack of modern road signs, street furniture, or highly developed infrastructure. The scene feels distinctly unhurried.

Estimated Date: Combining the car's presence and the film's characteristics, I would confidently place this slide in the late 1960s, possibly 1968–1972. The car is still clearly in regular use, but the technology points away from the mid-70s.

---

The Timeless Allure of the Wye Valley

This slide beautifully encapsulates why the Wye Valley is one of Britain's most cherished landscapes. It’s a scene of pastoral perfection:

• The Meander: The river acts as a gentle, guiding ribbon through the flat fields, defining the landscape.

• The Farmland: The open fields suggest a traditional agricultural use, reinforcing the peaceful, rural character.

• The Sky: The dramatic sky, featuring large, puffy cumulus clouds, adds depth and drama, a quintessential feature of the British weather and light that photographers love.

This photograph is a moment of pure, uninterrupted English countryside, preserved perfectly on a small piece of film. It is a true time capsule of the beauty that has endured along the banks of the River Wye for generations.

Clicking the 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!

The Salvage Archive: Pillars of the Past, A 1960s/70s Glimpse of the Temple of Jupiter, Baalbek

One of the greatest joys of digitizing my 35mm slide collection is stumbling upon photographs of truly monumental places. This particular batch transported me far away from England to the magnificent ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon, capturing the awe-inspiring scale of the Temple of Jupiter.

These slides, taken sometime in the 1960s or 1970s, offer a wonderful, sepia-toned view of one of the greatest surviving examples of Roman imperial architecture.

The Scale of the Gods

What immediately captures the eye in these photographs is the immense scale. The Romans spared no expense in building the sanctuary at Heliopolis (the Roman name for Baalbek).

In the wide shot, we see the legendary remaining six columns of the Temple of Jupiter. Standing nearly 20 meters (65 feet) high, these Corinthian columns are a fraction of the original 54 that once surrounded the temple. The sheer size of the column shafts and the entablature they support is breath taking, especially against the backdrop of a vast, open sky. It’s a powerful reminder of the ambition and engineering prowess of the Roman Empire, which built this temple between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD.

Up Close with Ancient Detail

The closer, more dramatic photograph pulls us right into the details of the ruins. The focus is split between the distant, towering columns and the intricate stonework right at the photographer's feet.

Here, we see a stunning example of Roman sculptural relief: a lion's head carving. This lion protome would have been part of the decorative cornice, likely serving as a functional water spout (or gargoyle) to drain water from the roof. The detail is remarkable, the lion’s gaping mouth frozen in a silent roar over the tumbled stones of the lower wall. This close-up view perfectly illustrates the blend of monumental scale and meticulous artistic detail that defines Baalbek.

A Time Capsule of a Timeless Place

While the Temple of Jupiter itself is thousands of years old, the sepia tones and slightly grainy quality of the slides date the image to the 1960s or 1970s.

During this period, Lebanon, and sites like Baalbek, were popular destinations for travellers and historians before later conflicts made access more difficult. These pictures capture the ruins when they were likely enjoyed by smaller numbers of visitors, before modern mass tourism, giving the scene a more tranquil, almost solitary atmosphere.

It's humbling to realize that these pillars have stood for two millennia, witnessing countless generations. To see them captured on a decades-old slide adds a unique layer to their history—a memory of a memory. It’s a testament to the fact that even a tiny piece of film can hold an epic story.

Clicking either of the images below 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!

High Moorland Majesty: Exploring Warley Moor, Fly Flatts Reservoir, and Halifax's 'Top Withins

The landscape of the South Pennines, just above Halifax, West Yorkshire, holds a unique, rugged beauty. The images captured here from August 2016, despite the impressive, moody clouds rolling overhead, perfectly encapsulate the dramatic and open feel of this upland area – a world away from the pleasant valley bottom. We're looking at the stunning area of Warley Moor and its centrepiece, the expansive Warley Moor Reservoir, known locally to many as Fly Flatts Reservoir.

A Reservoir with Two Names and a Great History

The reservoir, completed in 1872, is a key piece of Victorian engineering, built under the direction of John Frederick La Trobe Bateman to supply drinking water. Covering around 90 acres (or 68 acres according to some sources) and sitting at an altitude of approximately 410 meters (1,350 feet), it has earned its reputation not just as a water source but as a premier sailing spot.

Halifax Sailing Club: The Highest in England

Nestled on the shore of Fly Flatts is the home of the Halifax Sailing and Watersports Club. Formed in 1959, this friendly, member-run club proudly claims the title of the highest sailing club in England. The altitude ensures that they enjoy clear, strong winds, making for some top-quality, if often challenging, dinghy sailing.

The club, which is an RYA Recognised Teaching Establishment, offers dinghy racing, windsurfing, stand up paddleboarding, and more, welcoming members of all ages. The sight of brightly coloured sails against the often deep, peat-stained waters and the wild moorland beyond, as seen in the photographs, is a distinctive feature of the Warley Moor landscape. The very elements that can make the moor feel remote—the altitude and the wind—are precisely what make this location an active and exhilarating water sports hub.

The Myth of 'Top Withins'

It's a testament to the wild, windswept nature of this high ground that locals in the area, particularly those from the nearby village of Wainstalls, sometimes refer to this upper moorland expanse as 'Top Withins'.

This local nickname is, of course, entirely distinct from the famous Top Withens ruin near Haworth, miles to the north, which is renowned worldwide for its association with Emily Brontë's novel, Wuthering Heights. The Brontë-land 'Top Withens' has become a place of literary pilgrimage. However, it’s understandable that the sheer isolation and dramatic beauty of the moorland above Wainstalls and Mixenden would also inspire a name suggesting the 'top of the willows' or simply, 'the highest place'—a perfect description for this high-altitude corner of Calderdale.

The photos perfectly capture this atmosphere: the wide, open sky, the dark blanket of cloud that seems to cling to the horizon, the heather and rough grasses, and the long, winding roads that disappear into the landscape. It is a place where you feel the scale of the Pennines and the resilience of those who live and play on them.

Whether you're visiting for the exhilarating sailing, a peaceful moorland walk, or simply to experience the dramatic, untamed nature of a West Yorkshire summer day, Warley Moor and Fly Flatts Reservoir offer a truly memorable slice of upland life.

I took these pictures with a Nikon d3300 on the 28th August 2016, clicking any of them 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 remain the copyright of Colin Green.