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.

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Wheatley Tunnel and Viaduct: Exploring Part of Halifax's Abandoned High Level Railway

Tucked away in the green, rolling landscape of Halifax, West Yorkshire, lie two magnificent relics of the area's industrial past: the Wheatley Viaduct and the Wheatley Tunnel. These structures were once key features of the short-lived, three-mile-long Halifax High Level Railway, a line engineered to connect the higher and lower parts of Halifax to the wider rail network. Today, the overgrown track bed and imposing stonework tell a haunting tale of ambition, engineering, and eventual closure.

The line, constructed in the late 1880s and opened in 1890, was an expensive undertaking, costing a reported £300,000—the equivalent of tens of millions today. The cost was largely due to the challenging terrain, necessitating two major engineering works: the viaduct and the tunnel.

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The Ten-Arch Giant: Wheatley Viaduct

As captured in some of these images, the Wheatley Viaduct is a spectacular sight. It crosses the Hebble Brook valley with ten magnificent arches, stretching for approximately 200 yards (180m) and towering 100 feet (30m) high. Built primarily from rock-faced stone, ashlar, and blue brick, its curved design is a testament to Victorian civil engineering. It once carried two lines of track, though mapping from the late 1940s suggests only a single line was in use as a freight-only branch.

Today, surrounded by a thick, lush canopy of trees , the viaduct has been reclaimed by nature in many spots, but its sheer scale remains dominating, contrasting sharply with the modern housing estates that now nestle in the valley below. Recent, vital restoration work, completed in 2024, has been carried out to repair masonry, install waterproofing, and secure the structure for the future, preserving this important local landmark.

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Into the Dark: Wheatley Tunnel

Connected to the eastern end of the viaduct is the Wheatley Tunnel, an 810-yard (740m) long dark passage burrowing through the hillside. The entrance to the tunnel is marked by a substantial stone portal, often concealed by dense greenery and reached via a secluded, overgrown cutting, as shown in the photographs.

Images taken inside the tunnel reveal a classic Victorian brick-lined bore. It's a dark, damp, and atmospheric space, littered with debris and marked by the occasional splash of modern graffiti—a silent echo of its use transporting coal and goods until its final closure in 1960. A walk inside is a humbling experience, transporting you back to the early 20th century when it was a vital artery for the region's industry.

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A Short-Lived Legacy

The Halifax High Level Railway's life was brief. Passenger services ceased as early as 1917, lasting just over 26 years. Freight operations, mainly coal traffic, continued until June 1960, after which the line was fully dismantled.

Despite its short operating life, the Wheatley Viaduct and Tunnel are indelible parts of Halifax’s landscape and history. They stand as rugged monuments to the ambition of the railway age, now forming picturesque—if inaccessible—features in the local scenery. These structures, silent and still, offer a unique window into a forgotten era of connectivity in the heart of West Yorkshire.

I took these pictures in July 2020 with a Nikon d3300, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The Viaduct.

The Tunnel.

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The Historic Heart of Salterhebble Locks

There's a rugged charm to the Calder and Hebble Navigation, a waterway carved into the West Yorkshire landscape to fuel the Industrial Revolution. Nowhere is this blend of engineering, history, and community spirit more evident than at the Salterhebble Locks, a crucial flight of steps that descends from the high ground near Halifax to the main line of the navigation.

These locks—the top and middle ones, captured beautifully in these photographs—tell a story of industrial might, clever design, and the quiet life of the waterways.

The Calder and Hebble: A Georgian Highway

The Calder and Hebble Navigation, an early feat of civil engineering, was constructed in phases starting in 1759, with the main line to Sowerby Bridge completed by 1770. Its purpose was to extend the navigation westwards from Wakefield, creating a vital liquid highway for the transport of coal, wool, and other goods for the rapidly growing industries of West Yorkshire.

The Trio of Locks and the Missing Guillotine

The Salterhebble section features a series of three locks. You can see the Top Lock and Middle Lock here, with their traditional mitre gates and sturdy stone construction. However, what makes this flight truly unique is the final one: the Guillotine Lock. On the day I took these pictures, I did not picture the guillotine lock, I can not recall why, so the picture below is from an earlier set I took in February 2014.

 The Guillotine Lock, found immediately behind the Stainland Road bridge, is a sight to behold. Rather than having two hinged mitre gates, it uses a single, massive, vertical gate that is lifted and lowered like a medieval portcullis. This type of gate is often used to combat high river levels or where space is restricted. It’s a fascinating, modern piece of canal machinery that dramatically contrasts with the Georgian stonework of the locks above it, and is a great reason for boaters and towpath walkers to visit this spot.

Life by the Water: The Lock Keeper's Cottage

These pictures capture more than just the mechanics of the canal; they show the tranquil waters of the mooring pound between the locks, overshadowed by the charming lock keeper's cottage.

This Grade II Listed, stone-built house sits right next to the canal, historically serving as the home and office for the person whose job it was to manage the flow of traffic and water. Today, it is a private residence, accessed by a pedestrian footbridge over the Top Lock. Its location is truly unique—an island of historic peace bordered by the modern hustle of a busy road. The cottage is an integral part of the Salterhebble Basin and its future has been a focus for canal heritage groups.

The next time you walk the towpath or cruise the Calder and Hebble, stop at Salterhebble. Pause to admire the architecture, listen for the rush of the water filling the chambers, and imagine the thousands of barges that passed this way carrying the goods that built the North. It's a place where you can truly feel the history of the industrial age woven into the landscape.

I took the pictures below on the 24th November 2023 with a Nikon d3300, clicking any of them should open a link in another window.

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The Skyline Across the Water: Dating a View of Ottawa from My 35mm Slides

This latest slide from my collection takes us far across the Atlantic to North America, capturing a beautiful panoramic view of a city skyline across a wide body of water. The file name confirms our location: Ottawa, Canada.

This is clearly a view of the city's modern architecture, likely taken from across the Ottawa River or perhaps the Gatineau shore, looking back at the capital of Canada. The expansive, choppy water in the foreground, combined with the low, tree-covered shoreline that gives way to a dense cluster of high-rise buildings, sets a powerful scene.

The Challenge of Dating the Skyline

Dating a city skyline can be like solving a puzzle, as it relies on identifying the construction status of major buildings. Unlike cars or trains, these large structures take time to build, and their appearance marks specific periods.

Here's what we can deduce from the image's architecture:

• The High-Rises: The cluster of tall, brown/dark-coloured residential or commercial towers appears to be a well-established skyline. This mass development of high-rises along the Ottawa River, particularly on the Hull (Gatineau) side or the western edge of Ottawa (e.g., Tunney's Pasture area), gained significant momentum starting in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.

• Missing Modern Peaks: The overall profile feels a bit lower and less dense than Ottawa's skyline in the 1990s and 2000s. Crucially, the taller, glassier, and more architecturally complex buildings that would define the cityscape post-1980s and 1990s don't appear to be present in this shot.

• The Bridge: A large, multi-lane bridge is visible on the right, suggesting a major crossing of the Ottawa River. The presence and style of the bridge would be key to identifying the exact viewpoint.

Estimated Date: Given the style of the buildings—tall, boxy, and characteristic of development booms—and the apparent lack of super-modern, post-1980s structures, a strong estimate for this photograph is the late 1970s or early 1980s.

Possible Locations for the Shot

The shot is clearly taken from the north side of the Ottawa River looking south, or from a large section of the river/lake looking east/west, given the long, horizontal spread of the city.

1. Gatineau Side (Most Likely): If the photographer was standing on the Gatineau side of the Ottawa River, they would be looking directly at the core of Ottawa or an adjacent area. The river is wide enough here to create the vast water foreground.

2. A Lake or Wide Section of the River: The water in the foreground looks particularly wide and expansive, more like a lake than a narrow river section. This suggests the view might be from a section of the Ottawa River that widens out, such as Lac Deschênes or another broad area to the west of the main downtown core.

The long line of buildings and the bridge strongly suggest a panorama of the city's periphery, perhaps near the Parkway or the Queensway if looking east/west, or directly across the main channel if looking at the core.

This slide is a fascinating reminder of Ottawa's evolution. It captures the moment the capital transformed from its traditional, largely low-rise landscape dominated by Parliament Hill into the modern, high-rise urban centre we know today. What a great piece of Canadian history to find in the archive!

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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.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

A Journey Through Time: Unpacking a 35mm Slide of Brocklesby Junction Station

There's a unique thrill in revisiting old 35mm slides. Each one is a frozen fragment of history, offering clues that can unlock the story of when and where it was taken. This particular slide, from my personal collection, instantly grabbed my attention – a serene railway scene at a station clearly labelled "Brocklesby Jn".

Let's dive in and see what we can discover about this intriguing image, starting with the all-important question of when it was captured.

The Key to Dating: The Train Itself

The most significant clue in dating this photograph lies in the train pulling into the station. This is a British Rail Class 142 "Pacer" diesel multiple unit (DMU).

• Introduction: The Class 142 Pacer units were introduced into service by British Rail between 1985 and 1987.

• Livery: The train is wearing the distinctive "Sprinter" livery (blue and grey with a yellow front). This livery was standard for British Rail's new generation of DMUs in the mid-to-late 1980s.

Given this information, we can confidently place the photograph sometime after 1985.

Pinpointing the Location: Brocklesby Junction

The station sign, proudly proclaiming "Brocklesby Jn", makes the location unambiguous.

• Brocklesby Junction Station: Located in Lincolnshire, England, this station has a fascinating history. It's a junction where the line from Grimsby splits, with one branch heading towards Lincoln and the other towards Barton-on-Humber.

• Architectural Features: The station buildings themselves are quite distinctive, with ornate gables and prominent chimneys, suggesting a Victorian era construction. They stand as a testament to the grander days of railway architecture. The building on the left, with the large multi-paned window, appears to be the main station building or perhaps a waiting room. The building on the right looks like the opposite platform's waiting room or building.

The "Pacer" Era at Brocklesby

The Pacer trains were designed as a low-cost solution for rural and branch lines, utilizing bus body technology. They became a very common sight on lines like those serving Brocklesby Junction.

• Operation at Brocklesby: Class 142s regularly operated services on the Grimsby to Barton-on-Humber line and the Grimsby to Lincoln line, both of which pass through Brocklesby Junction.

• Decommissioning: The Class 142 Pacers were eventually withdrawn from service between 2019 and 2020 as part of fleet modernization plans.

The "Feel" of the Image

Beyond the technical details, the photograph exudes a particular atmosphere:

• Clear, Bright Day: The lighting suggests a clear day, possibly morning or late afternoon, given the shadows.

• Quiet Station: There's a sense of tranquillity; no passengers are visible on the platforms, giving the impression of a quiet rural station between trains. This is very characteristic of smaller junction stations during the Pacer era, especially outside of peak commuting times.

• Well-Maintained but Classic: The station buildings, though clearly older, appear well-maintained. The platforms look tidy, and the track is clear.

Putting it All Together

Based on the evidence:

• Train Type: British Rail Class 142 "Pacer" DMU.

• Train Livery: British Rail "Sprinter" livery.

• Station: Brocklesby Junction, Lincolnshire.

This photo was almost certainly taken sometime between 1985 (when the Pacers were introduced) and the early 1990s. By the mid-90s, the privatised railway companies started to introduce new liveries, making it less likely to see a Pacer in full BR "Sprinter" colours much beyond that point, although some did last. A safer bet would be the late 1980s, perhaps 1987-1990.

It's a wonderful capture of a specific era in British railway history, showcasing both the functional, modern (for its time) rolling stock and the enduring, historical architecture of the railway network. These images truly are little time capsules!

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Stone, Steeple, and Stories: The Enduring Heart of Huddersfield, St Peter's Parish Church

The sunlit stone and towering steeple of St Peter's Parish Church, or Huddersfield Parish Church, are an unmissable landmark in the heart of the town. These pictures, taken on a beautiful clear day, showcase the Grade II* listed building in all its Gothic Revival glory, a monumental presence at the junction of Kirkgate and Byram Street. But this is more than just a magnificent building; it is a repository of history and some truly fascinating tales.

Roots in the 11th Century

The church you see today, with its impressive 135-foot clock tower dominating the skyline, is actually the third church to stand on this venerable site. Its origins date all the way back to the 11th century, shortly after the Domesday Book.

Legend has it that the very first church was established around 1090-1100 by Walter de Lacy, a Norman nobleman, who vowed to build a church after surviving a terrifying fall from his horse into a swampy marsh between Huddersfield and Halifax. A dramatic promise for a dramatic building site!

The Victorian Rebuild and a Cost-Saving Secret

The current, grand structure was built between 1834 and 1836 by the renowned York architect James Pigott Pritchett. The previous 16th-century church had simply become too small for Huddersfield's rapidly expanding population during the Industrial Revolution, and it was also structurally unstable.

In an interesting, and perhaps cautionary, piece of history, Pritchett was tasked with keeping costs down. To do this, he reused bricks from the dismantled 16th-century church in the new construction. While admirable for the effort to recycle, the quality of the old materials was poor, which unfortunately led to the church needing regular, extensive maintenance work almost from the start!

Architectural Highlights and Unique Features

The church is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture, characterised by its pointed arches, ornate tracery, and crenellated (battlemented) parapets. But its interior holds some of the most compelling stories and facts:

• The Highest Clock: The prominent west tower, with clocks on all four sides, was deliberately built to an unusual height of 135 feet to ensure the time could be seen from all parts of the burgeoning industrial town.

• The War Memorial Masterpiece: The sanctuary is dominated by a gilded timber Baldachino (a ceremonial canopy over the altar) and the East Window, which together form the parish's First World War Memorial. They were installed in 1923 and designed by the famous early 20th-century architect, Sir Ninian Comper.

• Underground Dining: The church's large crypt now hosts "The Keys" café/restaurant, providing a wonderfully quirky and atmospheric venue for visitors and locals alike, continuing the church's role as a true community hub.

From a dramatic rescue in the 11th century to a cost-cutting compromise in the 19th, and from architectural mastery to a hidden mouse, St Peter's Parish Church is a place that truly weaves the spiritual, social, and industrial history of Huddersfield into its very stone. Next time you're in the town centre, take a moment to step inside and appreciate the stories held within this magnificent building.

I took these pictures with a Nikon d3300 on the 27th May 2023, 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.