Colin Green Photography

Sunday, 4 June 2017

The Halifax Branch of the Calder & Hebble Canal: A Lost Waterway

Just a whisper of its former self, the Halifax Branch of the Calder & Hebble Canal now stretches a mere half-mile from Salterhebble Junction and its locks to the Watermill Bar at Salterhebble Wharf. This truncated remnant is all that remains of a once vital artery that pulsed with industrial life.

Opened in 1828, the canal climbed a formidable 14 locks to its original terminus at Bailey Hall, a location now occupied by the bustling train station and the interactive Eureka! museum. Imagine the scene: barges laden with goods, lock keepers busy at their work, and the constant hum of industry. But the rise of the iron horse and the advent of tarmac roads spelled the canal's decline. By 1942, the upper section, from Salterhebble Wharf to Bailey Hall, was abandoned, its waters drained and its towpaths reclaimed. Today, the Hebble Trail, a popular cycle and pedestrian route, winds its way along the canal's former path, offering little hint of the waterway that once flowed there.

While whispers of reopening this lost stretch occasionally surface, fueled by hopes of boosting Halifax's tourism, such dreams face a stark reality. A more visionary local council might seize the opportunity to resurrect this historic waterway, but with tight budgets and a perceived lack of ambition, the chances of seeing barges once again navigating through the heart of Halifax seem, sadly, remote.

The pictures were taken on April 9, 2017, using a Nikon D3300 camera. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The start of the Halifax Branch, Salterhebble Locks are just to the
left of the picture out of sight. The bridge in the distance carries the
Halifax - Brighouse stretch of railway and crossers the canal which is
heading in the direction of Sowerby Bridge.

Wakefield Road Bridge. The canal brakes off to the left just beyond the bridge
through Salterhebble Locks in the direction of Brighouse.

The abutment to the right used to support a bridge that crossed the
canal here. The bridge has long since been removed.

Salterhebble Moorings can be seen in the distance. Tihs
is where the canal now ends.

To the right of the Watermill Bar is Salterhebble Tunnel. The canal continued through
there and immediately entered lock 1 of the 14 on exiting the tunnel. The stone lock
walls can still be seen.

The modern day end of the Halifax Branch Canal. The Watermill Bar and
Restaurant occupies what was the site of Salterhebble Mills. There is
also a Premier Inn hotel on the site,

Thanks for looking, and 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.

Saturday, 27 May 2017

Asquith Bottom Mill, Sowerby Bridge November 2013

The sprawling Asquith Bottom Mill, a vibrant mixed-use industrial estate in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, has a rich and varied past woven into its very fabric. Built around the bones of a former industrial giant, the complex has housed everything from carpet manufacturing to wire drawing and woollen production, depending on which era you're talking about. Originally established by William Edleston, the mill held a prominent place in the town's landscape. I can still vividly recall the striking red neon Edleston sign emblazoned across the roof in the 1980s – a nostalgic beacon that, sadly, is no more. The mill's hum fell silent sometime in the late 80s or early 90s, marking the end of an era for this local landmark

The pictures below were taken in November 2013 using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Thanks for looking, and 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.

Saturday, 8 April 2017

Peñas del Cache: Lanzarote's Majestic Summit

Peñas del Cache, reaching a height of 672 meters above sea level, offers the highest panoramic views on the island of Lanzarote. This popular destination attracts both stargazers, drawn to the clear, dark skies, and sightseers eager to witness the breathtaking vistas stretching across the island and the vast Atlantic Ocean. The name "Peñas del Cache" is believed to originate from the Guanche language, the language of Lanzarote's original inhabitants, and is thought to mean simply "the height."

While a military observation post slightly higher than the public viewing area overlooks Peñas del Cache, access to this post is restricted. The readily accessible viewing point is located in the northern part of the island, within the municipality of Haría.

Geologically, Peñas del Cache is a stratovolcano, a formation built up over millennia by layers of hardened lava and tephra (volcanic ash). Scientists estimate its formation occurred during the Miocene period, which spanned approximately 5 to 23 million years ago. Adding to the area's rich history, archaeological evidence of the Majos, the ancient inhabitants of Lanzarote, has been discovered near Peñas del Cache, offering a glimpse into the island's past.

These pictures were taken in July 2013 with my Samsung Galaxy tablet. Clicking any picture below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography Zazzle store.

The Atlantic ocean which surrounds Lanzarote can be seen down at
sea level.

Here is a short film set to music from my YouTube channel taken form the view point.

Please take a moment to share and follow me on social media and view my portfolio on Photo4Me via the link below.

Sunday, 8 January 2017

Fartown Rugby and Cricket Grounds, Huddersfield.

Fartown, originally known as St. John's Ground, has a rich sporting history that spans from cricket to rugby league. Its story begins in 1868, hosting cricket matches. In 1875, a pivotal merger took place, uniting Huddersfield St. John's Cricket Club with Huddersfield Athletic Club, which had already established a rugby club in 1866. This union laid the groundwork for Fartown's future as a rugby stronghold. By November 2nd, 1878, the ground had been sufficiently developed to host its first rugby match, a contest against the Manchester Rangers Rugby Club.

Fartown's significance in rugby history was further cemented in 1895 when the sport underwent a major split. Huddersfield joined the Northern Rugby Football Union, the breakaway faction that eventually evolved into the modern game of rugby league. Fartown became their home ground, a relationship that would last for nearly a century.

For almost a hundred years, Fartown echoed with the roar of the crowd and the clash of tackles. Its most glorious moment likely came in 1947 when it hosted a Challenge Cup Semi-Final, packing in over 35,000 spectators – a testament to the ground's capacity and the passion for rugby league in Huddersfield.

However, the stadium's fortunes began to decline in the 1980s. Despite its illustrious past, Fartown fell into disrepair. In 1992, Huddersfield Rugby League Football Club moved to the Leeds Road Stadium, marking the end of an era. Shortly after their departure, Fartown was demolished, erasing much of its physical presence. Today, only the floodlights, perimeter fencing, and the pitch itself remain as silent witnesses to the stadium's vibrant past, a reminder of the thousands of fans and the countless sporting memories forged within its boundaries. Fartown's story, though its stands may be gone, continues to resonate within the history of Huddersfield and the story of rugby league.

These pictures were taken on June 18, 2015, with my Polaroid iS2132 digital camera. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The Cricket Memorial, it used to feature a clock that has been removed.

The former cricket ground, now playing host to amateur Rugby League.

Taken from the Scoreboard terrace at the ground.

The very overgrown northern terrace.

The rather sad looking former cricket pavilion.

The scoreboard end, the stadiums metal fencing still in place.

Please take a moment to follow me on social media and check out mu portfolio on Photo4Me via the link below.

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green, Thanks for looking.

Monday, 2 January 2017

The Rise and Fall of Halifax's High Level Railway: A Victorian Dream Unfulfilled Pictured February 2014

The Halifax High Level Railway, a testament to Victorian engineering ambition, once carved a dramatic path across the Halifax landscape. Originally conceived as part of a grand scheme by the Hull and Barnsley Railway to link Holmfield with Huddersfield and beyond, and culminating in a grand new central station at George Square, Halifax, the project ultimately fell short of its initial vision. Though construction began in 1884, the ambitious plan was abandoned just two years later. The line, however, did open to Halifax St. Paul's Station on September 5th, 1890, a truncated version of the original dream.

The construction of the High Level Railway was a significant feat of engineering. The line boasted a 740-metre tunnel, the impressive 10-arch Wheatley Viaduct, and substantial cuttings on either side of the tunnel. Large goods yards at Pellon and St. Paul's stations further underscored the scale of the undertaking.

Despite the impressive infrastructure, the High Level Railway never captured the hearts of local passengers. Its indirect route, often requiring a change at Holmfield Station onto the Queensbury Line to reach the center of Halifax, proved inconvenient. The line's true calling became freight transport, serving the numerous mills that dotted the northern and western reaches of Halifax. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1916, a mere 26 years after opening, and the line was quickly singled, with signaling removed. Freight traffic continued to rumble along the High Level until June 27th, 1960, before finally succumbing to changing economic realities.

Today, the remnants of this once-bustling railway offer a glimpse into a bygone era. The Wheatley Viaduct still stands, a majestic, if now inaccessible and abandoned, monument to Victorian ingenuity. The Wheatley Tunnel also remains, although its eastern portal has been filled in, and a housing estate now occupies the land above. Further along the route, Wood Lane, Brackenbed, and Pellon Lane bridges stand in remarkably similar condition to their operational days, bearing silent witness to the trains that once passed beneath and above them. The substantial stone-walled embankment at Pellon, too, endures, as do many of the bridges towards King Cross, though many of the latter have been infilled over time.

The echoes of the High Level Railway can still be found in the modern landscape. The site of Pellon Station is now part of an industrial estate known as High Level Way, a subtle nod to the area's past. The grand Halifax St. Paul's Station, once a gateway to the town, has been transformed into a retail park, erasing almost all traces of its railway heritage. For many years, a car dealership and petrol station occupied the site, but recent redevelopment has further reshaped the landscape. While the High Level Railway may be gone, its legacy, both visible and hidden, continues to shape the character of Halifax.