Sowerby Bridge: A Town Forged by Water and Industry

Nestled in the heart of Calderdale, West Yorkshire, lies the market town of Sowerby Bridge, a place whose very existence has been shaped by the rivers and canals that flow through it. From its origins as a simple crossing point over the River Calder, the town's story is one of rapid industrial growth, decline, and a remarkable rebirth.

A Hub of Industry and Transport

The town's rise began with the Industrial Revolution, as the rushing waters of the River Calder and River Ryburn were harnessed to power textile and engineering mills. This industrial boom was supercharged by the arrival of key transport links. First came the Calder & Hebble Navigation Canal, which opened up trade routes to Wakefield and beyond. Then, the Rochdale Canal provided a vital connection to Lancashire and Manchester, cementing Sowerby Bridge's status as a bustling hub of commerce.

The railways soon followed, with Sowerby Bridge becoming an important railway junction. The image of the Canal Basin and the Rochdale Canal shows this industrial heritage in all its glory, with the historic mills and waterways coexisting in a tight-knit landscape.

From Decline to Regeneration

After the World Wars, the town faced a period of decline. Its valley location, which had once been its strength, became a weakness, making it difficult for modern industries to set up shop, and many long-standing companies left. But Sowerby Bridge refused to fade away. In the 1980s, the town reinvented itself as a tourist destination. Regeneration efforts were spurred by events like the annual Rushbearing parade, the development of a canoe slalom, and the reopening of its canals, which breathed new life into the historic waterways.

The town today remains a pleasant place to live, full of character and historic charm. The confluence of the Rivers Ryburn and Calder at the edge of town is a beautiful sight, symbolizing the natural forces that gave birth to the town in the first place.

Sowerby Bridge has also become a star in its own right, providing a backdrop for a number of recent TV shows, including Stay Lucky, Happy Valley, and The English Game. Though often overshadowed by its neighbours, Halifax and Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge's unique history and undeniable charm make it a destination worth exploring. The images, taken on a crisp autumn day in 2021, capture the essence of a town that has not only endured but has embraced its history to create a vibrant present.

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Rochdale Canal from Tower Hill Bridge

Co-op Bridge and steps, Hollins Mill Lane.

The Canal Basin

Christ Church, Tuel Lane Tunnel, Rochdale Canal and the Roxy

Railway Viaduct and Rivers Ryburn and Calder

Town Hall Clock from County Bridge. The building never served as the Town Hall despite it's name spending most of it's history as a bank.

Courtyard on the Old Cawsey, thought to be the amongst the oldest road's through Sowerby Bridge.

River Ryburn and Sowerby Bridge Swimming Pool.

Former Wesleyan Chapel at Bolton Brow.

Rochdale Canal from the Co-op bridge steps.

Jack O Th Locks at the entrance to Sowerby Bridge Canal Basin.

Old Cawsey Courtyard

River Calder and Canoe Slalom from County Bridge.

River Ryburn

Rochdale Canal from Co-Op Bridge

Lock 2 Sowerby Bridge Upper on the Rochdale Canal

River Calder from County Bridge

Co-Op Steps

Geese on the canal, the town has become locally known for geese running the rule of the town

The Rochdale Canal from Lock 2 towards Lock 1 and the canal basin.

Christ Church, Tuel Lane Tunnel and Christ Church from Lock 2 on the Rochdale Canal.

The Village Restaurant, formerly the Ash Tree pub.

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The Murder Stone of Brearley: A Grim Tale of the Cragg Vale Coiners

Tucked away on Route 66 of the national cycle network, a quiet path winds through the small village of Brearley, between Luddendenfoot and Mytholmroyd. Here, a weathered stone stands as a stark and fascinating memorial, a silent witness to a dark chapter in local history. Inscribed with the chilling words, "A Full and True Account of a Barbarous, Bloody and Inhuman Murder," the monument immediately begs a question: what brutal event is it commemorating?

The story behind this stone is a tale of greed, betrayal, and a notorious gang of criminals known as the Cragg Vale Coiners.

The victim was William Deighton, the Supervisor of Taxes and Excise for the Halifax area. A southerner who had moved to Halifax in 1759, Deighton's job involved collecting taxes on cloth and beer. It was in this role that he ran afoul of the powerful Coiners, who were masters of a lucrative and illegal trade: clipping and debasing coinage. Their leader, a formidable figure named "King" David Hartley, saw Deighton as a significant threat to their operation.

By November 1769, several of the Coiners had been arrested, and the remaining gang members decided to eliminate the man who had been a thorn in their side. On the night of November 9th, as William Deighton returned home from a business meeting, he was ambushed. He was shot, trampled, and robbed by two men, Mathew Normington and Robert Thomas, while a third, Thomas Clayton, acted as a lookout. Deighton's life was tragically cut short, and he was buried just two days later at Halifax Parish Church. His grave, a poignant detail in this grim story, lists his name as William Dighton.

The Coiners' plan to escape justice was short-lived. Thomas Clayton, the lookout, later provided crucial evidence that led to the conviction of Normington and Thomas for highway robbery. The two men met a brutal fate. Robert Thomas was executed at Tyburn, York, on August 6, 1774, followed by Matthew Normington on April 15, 1775. Both of their bodies were gruesomely displayed at Beacon Hill in Halifax, with an arm pointing toward the scene of the murder—a grim warning to anyone else considering a life of crime.

I've passed this stone many times, always curious about its meaning. What I've been unable to uncover is who placed the stone here and why. The murder took place in Halifax, and the Coiners were most active in Cragg Vale. Yet, this lonely monument stands in Brearley, its presence a stark, enduring mystery.

These photos, taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet in November 2013, show the weathered face of the stone, its inscriptions worn but still legible, a silent guardian of a dark and fascinating piece of local history.

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The following picture was taken with a Nikon d3300 in 2017.

I took the picture below in 2014 with a Polaroid is2132.

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Venice: A City of Timeless Beauty

There is no city quite like Venice. It's a place that seems to float on the water, a labyrinth of winding canals, ancient bridges, and hidden alleyways. My visit in October 2018 revealed a city that is as breathtaking by day as it is enchanting by night, a place where every corner holds a new discovery.

Wandering through the streets, you're constantly reminded that this city is a work of art in itself. The architecture is magnificent, from the grand facade of the Church of Santa Maria dei Carmini, with its distinctive bell tower, to the elegant rooftops that seem to cascade toward the canals. The famous Bridge of Sighs stands as a solemn monument, its intricate design a contrast to the tragic history it represents.

But it's not just the famous landmarks that captivate you. It's the smaller, more intimate moments. The quiet beauty of a canal, where a boat rests gently on the water, or the vibrant energy of a local shopping street at night, with storefronts glowing like beacons on the cobbled streets. Even the less-polished parts of the city have a unique charm, like the whimsical mermaid graffiti that adds a splash of unexpected colour to a weathered wall.

The city has a different persona after dark. The lamp posts of the Ponte de Sann Paternian cast a warm, golden light onto the water and the surrounding buildings, transforming the scene into a moody, romantic painting. The shadows deepen, and the sounds of the day fade, leaving you with a sense of peace and a deeper connection to the city's ancient soul.

From the bustling energy of Campo Sant'Angelo to the solemn beauty of the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, Venice is a city of contrasts. It is a testament to human creativity and resilience, a place where history feels alive in every stone and every ripple of the water. These photos capture just a few of the countless moments of magic this city offers, a timeless beauty that remains long after the trip is over.

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Church of Santa Maria dei Carmini bell tower.

Bridge of Sighs.

Camp Sant'Angelo.

Cassa de Risparmio di Venezia.

Church of Sant'Angelo Bell Tower.

Hotel Cavalletto.

Victor Emmanuel II Monument.

Ponte de Sann Paternian.

Spiral Staircase at the San Marco Palace Hotel.

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A Tower of Passion: The Story Behind the Lumbutts Mill Water Tower Artwork

 Every piece of art tells a story, and this one is no different. My artwork of the Lumbutts Mill Water Tower is not just a depiction of a building; it's a conversation with history, a tribute to the passionate struggles that once defined this landscape.

The vibrant sunset colour scheme wasn't chosen at random. It's a deliberate artistic choice, a nod to the area's powerful and often turbulent past. The bold oranges and fiery reds are a direct reference to the 1838 Mankinholes Riots. The passion and fury of those events—fuelled by social and economic hardship—are symbolized in the intense, glowing light that seems to emanate from the tower itself. It's meant to evoke a feeling of simmering unrest and raw emotion.

The piece is a bridge between then and now. The Lumbutts Mill Water Tower, a sturdy structure that has witnessed decades of change, now stands as a quiet monument. By bathing it in the colours of a tumultuous sunset, the artwork gives the impression of a passion that still lingers in the air, a reminder that the history of this place is carved not just in stone, but in the spirit of the people who lived and fought here.

This isn't just a picture of a tower; it’s a representation of a moment in time, a feeling, and a history that deserves to be remembered. It’s a visual reminder that even the most stoic structures can hold within them the echo of human passion.

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