A Glimpse into History: Bradshaw's Church of St John the Evangelist and War Memorial

Bradshaw, a charming village nestled near Halifax, holds within its boundaries not only picturesque scenery but also significant historical markers. In June 2015, I had the pleasure of capturing some moments around two such important sites: the Church of St John the Evangelist and the Bradshaw War Memorial. Join me as we delve into their stories.

The Church of St John the Evangelist: A Victorian Gem

The Church of St John the Evangelist stands as a beautiful example of Victorian architecture and a testament to the enduring faith of the local community.

A Brief History: Before the mid-19th century, residents of Bradshaw would have had to travel to Halifax or other nearby parishes for worship. As the population grew, the need for a local church became apparent. The foundation stone for St John the Evangelist was laid in 1837, and the church was consecrated in 1839. It was designed by a prominent architect of the time, though sometimes sources vary on the exact name, it's generally attributed to John Oates, a well-known Yorkshire architect.

Architectural Highlights: The church is built in the Gothic Revival style, a popular architectural movement of the Victorian era that sought to emulate medieval Gothic designs. You'll notice features like pointed arches, stained glass windows, and a sturdy bell tower.

Inside, the church is known for its beautiful stained glass and intricate wooden features, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

Interesting Fact: The church was built as a "Commissioners' Church," meaning it received funding from the Church Building Commission, established after the Napoleonic Wars to build new churches in rapidly growing industrial areas. This highlights its importance in catering to the spiritual needs of a burgeoning community during the Industrial Revolution.

The Bradshaw War Memorial: A Solemn Tribute

Just as poignant, and equally important, is the War Memorial that stands as a silent sentinel to the sacrifices made by the men of Bradshaw.

A Community's Remembrance: Erected after the First World War, the memorial is a deeply personal tribute from the community to those who gave their lives in both World Wars and subsequent conflicts. It serves as a permanent reminder of the human cost of war and the bravery of those who served.

I took these images with a Polaroid is2132 camera in June 2014. Clicking any of the images above should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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Postcard from the Past: Bankfield Museum and the Golden Age of Halifax

 The beauty of collecting vintage postcards lies in holding a physical, tangible piece of history. This week, I’ve been working on a new acquisition—an old sepia postcard of Bankfield Museum in Halifax. After digitally colourising it (a little artistic license to bring its beautiful architecture to life!), I wanted to dive into the history of the building itself, a true monument to Halifax’s industrial glory days.

The Architecture: A Monument to Victorian Wealth

The image itself is fantastic. It captures the contrasting architectural styles of Bankfield, highlighting the sheer grandeur and confidence of Victorian design. The building wasn't originally intended as a museum; it was the opulent home of one of Halifax's most successful textile barons.

Edward Akroyd (1810–1887), a name synonymous with Halifax's vast wool and worsted industry, built this mansion. He was a visionary who was not only focused on production but also on the welfare of his workers and the intellectual life of his community.

• The Original Core (Right): The darker, more restrained side of the building reflects the original home, built in the earlier Victorian style.

• The Akroyd Expansion (Left): The grander, lighter-coloured section on the left, with its distinctive Italianate and Byzantine Revival features, was the magnificent extension Akroyd added. Note the prominent stone quoins, the arched windows, and the confident, solid structure—it was designed to impress and reflect the wealth generated by his vast mills, particularly Dean Clough.

This architectural masterpiece eventually became too grand for the next generation, and the family sold it to the Halifax Corporation in 1887, where it was established as a museum to benefit the public—a wonderful legacy of Akroyd’s civic-mindedness.

The Postcard Clues: Dating the Image

Since this postcard was originally sepia, it’s safe to assume it dates from the early 20th century, likely pre-1920. The golden age of postcards, when they were the primary means of quick communication, was roughly 1900 to 1914.

Looking at the photo's style, there are some clues:

• Hand-Colouring Style: The slightly uneven, tinted appearance you see in the colourised version often mirrors the look of early colour postcards where sepia or black-and-white photos were hand-tinted before printing. This technique was very common in the 1900s–1910s.

• Lack of Automobiles: The grounds are immaculately kept, but there is a distinct absence of modern vehicles or extensive paved parking, suggesting a time before widespread car ownership.

• The Trees and Garden: The landscaping, particularly the small, young tree on the right, also provides a sense of the era, suggesting a period when the grounds were already established as a public park/museum setting.

This postcard, therefore, gives us a snapshot of Bankfield Museum during the zenith of the postcard era—a time when Halifax was at its economic peak and sharing its civic pride, like this beautiful museum, with the world.

Bankfield Today

Today, Bankfield Museum continues Akroyd's legacy, housing impressive collections focused on local history, textiles, and military history. It stands as a powerful reminder of the industrial titans who shaped the North of England, and is an essential stop for anyone visiting Halifax.

I love that this small, hand-coloured view allows us to look back across a century and appreciate the monumental architecture of a city built on wool.

(Note: The colour in the image is a digital interpretation by the author to enhance the architectural detail.)

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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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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

The Legacy of Stone: A Look at St Mary's Church, Cottonstones

Tucked away in the beautiful, hilly landscape of West Yorkshire, St Mary's Church, Cottonstones stands as a proud landmark, overlooking the surrounding valley and hillsides. It's a place steeped in local history, particularly tied to the industrial heritage of the area, and serves as a quiet witness to the generations that have called Cottonstones and Mill Bank home.

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A Gift to the Workers

The history of St Mary's is rooted in a significant act of philanthropy during the 19th century. The church was officially opened in 1848. Its establishment was made possible by the Hadwin Family, who gifted the church to the workers of Cottonstones, Mill Bank, and Soyland. This donation underscores the close relationship between the prosperous local families and the communities they employed during the height of the area's textile industry.

The church's prominent position in the landscape is a testament to its importance to the surrounding villages, a spiritual anchor visible from afar.

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Architectural and Parish Facts

St Mary's Church, Cottonstones, is a Grade II listed building. It boasts a relatively intimate size, with a seating capacity for approximately 80 people.

In more recent history, the church joined a larger community of churches in May 2013 when it became part of the Ryburn Benefice. This new "family of churches" includes St. Luke's Norland and St. Peter's Sowerby, working together to serve the parishes of Norland and Sowerby with Cottonstones.

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A Community of Remembrance

The church and its grounds are a repository of local memory. Inside the church, a bronze plaque serves as a memorial to the men from the parish who were killed during the First World War. This memorial, located to the left of the chancel arch behind the pulpit, bears the names of 23 men, including one with the surname Hadwen. This is another powerful link between the founding family and the community they helped establish.

St Mary's also maintains strong ties to the local community through its relationship with the nearby Church of England school. The children visit the church for key events during the school year, such as Easter and the Leavers' Celebrations, continuing the tradition of St Mary's as a central part of village life.

As a structure that has stood for over 175 years, the church offers a charming and peaceful atmosphere, which is a popular draw for special occasions, such as weddings. It's a true piece of West Yorkshire's history, quietly serving its community through the centuries.

I took these pictures in February 2014 with a Polaroid is2132, 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.

A Journey Through Time: Mytholmroyd Railway Station

 On the last day of 2018, with my Nikon D3300 in hand, I took a stroll around Mytholmroyd, a village nestled in the heart of the Calder Valley. My destination was the railway station, a place that, like many others in this industrial landscape, holds a wealth of history and a quiet dignity. The photos I captured on that day tell a story of a place in transition—a past of industrial grandeur giving way to a new future.

The Old Station Building: A Glimpse into the Past

The most striking feature of the station is the original building. This Grade II listed building, with its rugged sandstone and classical lines, stands as a testament to the Victorian era of railway expansion. Opened in 1871 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, it was once the bustling hub of the community, complete with a booking hall, stationmaster's house, and waiting rooms. For many years, however, it sat derelict and boarded up, a sad sight for a building of such importance.

What the photos don't fully capture is the incredible story of its revival. After decades of neglect, a dedicated group of local volunteers, the Mytholmroyd Station Partnership, began a long-running project to bring it back to life. Their work, supported by grants from organizations like the Railway Heritage Trust and Northern, aims to transform the building into a creative community hub, breathing new purpose into this historic landmark.

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The Viaduct and the Modern Station

The station is uniquely situated atop a magnificent viaduct, a feat of 19th-century engineering. The viaduct itself was built by George Stephenson and dates back to 1840, making it even older than the station building it now supports. From the street below, the imposing stone arches give a sense of the scale and ambition of the railway age.

While the old building was awaiting its new lease on life, the modern station was already serving the community. With two platforms, it's a vital part of the Calder Valley Line, connecting the village to major cities like Leeds and Manchester. The station is known for having step-free access to its platforms, a rare and helpful feature for a station built on a viaduct. The contrast between the old, unused entrance and the bustling modern platforms tells the story of a place that, despite its challenges, remains a crucial link for the people of Mytholmroyd.

Clicking any 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!

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.