Shepley Railway Station

On May 21st, 2016, I visited Shepley Railway Station, capturing a series of images with my Nikon d3300 SLR.

A Station Steeped in History

Shepley railway station serves the charming villages of Shepley and Shelley, nestled on the outskirts of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Its story began on July 1st, 1850, when it was opened by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company. The line itself was authorized by an act of parliament on June 30th, 1845, with the aim of connecting Huddersfield to the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Manchester Railway at Penistone. For those interested in railway history, it's worth noting that the line from Penistone to Manchester, which passed through the iconic Woodhead tunnels, ceased operations in 1981.

Shepley's role in the railway network grew on September 1st, 1879, when it became a junction station with the opening of a 3.5-mile branch line to Clayton West. During this period, it was even known as Shepley and Shelley station. However, the branch line closed in 1983, and at the same time, much of the Penistone line was singled. Shepley, thankfully, retained its double track layout, providing a crucial passing loop between here and Stocksmoor.

Shepley Today: A Look at the Modern Station

Fast forward to today, and the modern Shepley station features a two-platform, staggered layout, situated on either side of a bridge. It's been unstaffed since 1966 and offers limited facilities. You won't find toilets, ticketing machines, disabled access, or shops here. Despite the minimalist amenities, the station remains a vital link for the local community. During 2018/19, it was used by 71,536 passengers, averaging around 1,375 per week. This represented a slight drop of approximately 55 passengers per week compared to the previous year.

Shepley Railway Station, with its rich past and continued service, truly stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Britain's railways.

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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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Sowerby Bridge: Then and Now

Have you ever wondered how much your hometown has changed over the decades? What if you could stand in the exact spot where a photograph was taken a hundred years ago and compare the view? That's exactly what I set out to do for my latest YouTube video, "Sowerby Bridge, Then and Now."

In this short video, I've pieced together a fascinating look at our beloved Sowerby Bridge, contrasting its past with its present. I've curated a collection of postcards and images taken around Sowerby Bridge at the turn of the 20th century. These glimpses into the past offer a remarkable insight into daily life, architecture, and the overall atmosphere of the town from over a hundred years ago.

But I didn't stop there. To truly bring the past to life, I then captured a collection of modern images taken in similar positions to the original photographs. The result is a captivating visual journey that highlights the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) transformations Sowerby Bridge has undergone.

You'll see familiar landmarks, some still standing strong, others having evolved or even disappeared. It's a wonderful way to connect with the history of our town and appreciate how far we've come.

Whether you're a long-time resident or just curious about local history, I think you'll find "Sowerby Bridge, Then and Now" a truly engaging watch.

The video includes street scenes, waterside scenes and architecture from around the town.

All the pictures feature details of where the image is.

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A Lucky Encounter: Steam Train Through North Dean Woods

Sometimes, you just happen to be in the right place at the right time. That's exactly what happened to me on February 29th, 2020, during a walk through the beautiful North Dean woods. For those who don't know it, North Dean stretches along the valley from Copley to West Vale and even up towards Greetland and Norland, with the main railway line between Brighouse and Sowerby Bridge running right along the bottom.

On this particular day, I was enjoying my stroll when I got wind that a steam train was due to pass along the line shortly. You can imagine my excitement! I quickly made my way along the line from the bridge that crosses the River Calder, hoping to catch a glimpse.

I arrived just as the train was approaching from Greetland Junction. Talk about perfect timing! I had just enough time to set up my action camera facing east and my phone facing west, near the track but at a safe distance, of course. Safety first!

The short video below captures the moment the train steamed through, and I’ve also pulled out some images from the footage for you to see.

I can't push the point enough that although it may look close to the railway at no point was I anywhere near the trackbed. The following were taken from the footage and can be seen on Clickasnap.

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Journey Through Time: Sowerby Bridge in Pictures!

I'm thrilled to share a new project I've been working on that's really close to my heart: a series of three YouTube videos featuring historic pictures of Sowerby Bridge.

These aren't just any old photos; they're a window into our town's past, spanning the last 150 years! I recently came across a fantastic collection of images, and I've been advised they're all public domain and copyright-free. Some of these even belong to a Lilywhites postcards collection, meaning they're over a century old – imagine the stories they could tell!

My aim with these videos is to bring a bit of Sowerby Bridge's rich history to life for everyone to enjoy. You'll see familiar landmarks and perhaps even discover areas of the town as they looked generations ago.

Of course, if I've been misinformed about any copyright, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'm more than happy to credit the source or remove any picture at your request.

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A Journey Across History: The Kincardine Bridge

I've just uploaded a new video to YouTube showcasing a crossing of the Kincardine Bridge in both directions, filmed in November 2019. This bridge isn't just a convenient route; it's a fascinating piece of Scottish engineering history!

Connecting Communities Across the Forth

The Kincardine Bridge spans the River Forth, located approximately 25 miles northwest of Edinburgh. For a long time, it was the closest road crossing to Scotland's capital until the Forth Road Bridge opened its lanes in 1964. Even today, the Kincardine Bridge serves as a vital alternative crossing to both the Forth Road Bridge and the newer Queensferry Crossing whenever they face closures or restrictions due to accidents or severe weather. This vital link connects the boroughs of Falkirk and Fife, facilitating countless journeys every day.

A Tale of Ingenuity and Unexpected Delays

Construction of the Kincardine Bridge took place between 1932 and 1936, under the watchful eyes of designers Sir Alexander Gibb and architect Donald Watson. Its opening was even delayed due to a dramatic incident in February 1935, when a steamship unfortunately crashed into the ongoing construction!

The decision to build the bridge was driven by a significant increase in traffic at Stirling Bridge, which, prior to the Kincardine Bridge, was the nearest crossing point on the Forth (other than by ferry). Traffic levels at Stirling had surged from around 150 vehicles per hour in 1922 to over 400 per hour by 1932 – a clear sign that a new solution was desperately needed.

One of the most remarkable features of the Kincardine Bridge was its central 364ft section, designed to operate as a swing bridge. This allowed ships to pass through to the Port of Alloa. This swing section remained in use until 1988 and was finally locked shut in 1989. While the mechanics are still present to operate it, it's highly unlikely it will ever swing open again.

The bridge itself boasts an impressive total length of 2697ft and was constructed at a cost of £327,000. While it's still very much in use today, its role as the primary bridge crossing was taken over in 2008 by the Clackmannanshire Bridge, a more modern marvel that cost a substantial £120 million to complete.

So, the next time you cross the Kincardine Bridge, take a moment to appreciate its rich history and the significant role it has played in connecting Scotland. 

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A Driver's View: Exploring the Scenic A40 from Ross-on-Wye to Monmouth

I've just uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel, It's a drive from Ross-on-Wye to Monmouth, captured entirely from my DAF XF truck. If you're a fan of scenic drives, you're in for a treat.

This particular stretch of road is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful in Britain. The video covers approximately 12 miles, starting right from the end of the M50 motorway. We then cruise along the A449 and A40, finally completing the journey just after emerging from the Gibraltar Tunnel at Monmouth.

What makes this video a bit different is the perspective. Because I was in my truck, the dash cam footage gives you a higher vantage point than my usual videos. You really get to see the landscape unfold from a unique viewpoint.

It was a fantastic drive, and I hope the video conveys just how stunning the scenery is. Whether you're planning a trip to the area or just enjoy a good virtual road trip, I think you'll really appreciate this one.

The video was filmed on Wednesday January 29th 2020.

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Vintage War Posters

A few years ago I bought a collection of copyright free posters and images off a collector and if I'm honest I was stuck for an idea of what to do with them, so they just sat on a hard drive waiting. I recently remembered I had them and came up with tidying them up a little and using them as slideshows for my YouTube channel.

The first set of pictures I used were selected from an album of wartime posters featuring propaganda for women to work, men to be recruited to various forces, rationing, promoting peace and nationalism. They are taken from many conflicts and various countries involved. I have done this slideshows more as a historical propaganda show reel rather than promoting conflict and they are to show how propaganda was used to help with wartime efforts.

I will be working on more over the next few weeks to upload to my YouTube channel from travel posters to vintage pin ups to more wartime posters as well as continuing to upload my own collection of images. Click here and take a moment to subscribe to my YouTube channel. The vintage pin ups will not be posted here but will be available to view on YouTube. Below is a selection of the posters featured in the videos

 

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