William Deighton Stone, Brearley, a Barbarous, Bloody and Inhuman Murder.

 

Passing through Brearley, a small village between Luddendenfoot and Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire on the Route 66 of the national cycle network you come to memorial stone inscribed with A Full and True Account of a Barbarous, Bloody and Inhuman Murder. The memorial was constructed to remind people of the sad death of William Deighton who was the Supervisor of Taxes and Excise for the Halifax area.

William Deighton was born in the south of England in 1717, he arrived in Halifax in April 1759 and in his duties as the supervisor of taxes he had a responsibility for collected taxes on cloth and beer. He became aware of the notorious Cragg Vale Coiners, who had become well known for clipping and debasing coinage.

By November 1769 several members of the Coiners Gang had been arrested and the remaining members led by "King" David Hartley came up with a plan to murder William Deighton.

On the 9th November 1769 William Deighton was conducting business at an inn near to his home in Swires Road, Halifax, after concluding his talks with local attorney Thomas Sayer, he left for home and somewhere along the route was shot, trampled and robbed by Mathew Normington and Robert Thomas with Thomas Clayton involved as a lookout. He was buried with his Daughter Penelope on the 11th November 1769 at Halifax Parish Church. The grave records his name as William Dighton.

Thomas Clayton always claimed to accompanied Normington and Thomas to William Deighton's murder and his evidence saw the other 2 eventually convicted of Highway Robbery after being acquitted of the murder of William. Clayton was arrested for a few offences linked to the coiners activities over the next few and then disappeared to history. Normington and Thomas were eventually tried for the robbery of William Deighton and found guilty. Robert Thomas was executed on the 6th August 1774 at Tyburn, York his body was displayed at Beacon Hill, Halifax. Matthew Normington suffered the same fate on the 15th April 1775. Both bodies were displayed with an arm pointing in the direction of the scene of the murder.

I have passed the stone many times and often wondered what it referred to, so eventually took the time to try and find out. I have been unable to find when and who put the stone there and why it was located at Brearley, as the murder took place in Halifax and the coiners had links to Cragg Vale.

The 2 pictures below were taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet in November 2013.

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

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

Clicking any of the images should open a link in another window to the un-watermarked version on Clickasnap.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Venice, Italy 30th October 2018 set 1

 In October - November 2018 I got the chance to visit Venice, Italy. During the trip I took hundreds of pictures and a number were of random places of sites which I can't remember where or what the building was, or places where I only took a couple of pictures so didn't want to do a full post on them.

I thought I would post these in a couple of separate post's, this being the first one featuring a set of 16 pictures taken at various places and times during the day. My 2nd set is to follow shortly.

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.

Clicking any picture should take you to the un-watermarked version on Clickasnap.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Lumbuts Mill Artwork

 

Lumbutts Mill Water Tower. This Artwork created by is based on a picture I took. I gave the picture a sunset colour scheme as a nod to the areas links with the 1838 Mankinholes Riots to give the impression of a passion.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media. The picture can also be seen on Clickasnap by clicking the image.

The picture remains the copyright of Colin Green.

Hardcastle Crags: A Local Treasure Set 3.

Nestled in the heart of West Yorkshire, near the charming town of Hebden Bridge, lies a hidden gem: Hardcastle Crags. This enchanting wooded valley, also known as Hebden Dale, is a haven for nature lovers, hikers, and families seeking a breath of fresh air. Owned and managed by the National Trust, Hardcastle Crags offers a tranquil escape into a world of lush greenery, tumbling streams, and fascinating history.

From the moment you step into the valley, you'll be captivated by its beauty. The towering trees create a verdant canopy overhead, dappling the sunlight that filters through to the forest floor. The air is filled with the soothing sounds of the Hebden Water as it rushes and tumbles along the valley bottom, carving its way through the landscape.

Hardcastle Crags is a place for exploration. Whether you're looking for a challenging hike or a gentle stroll, there are paths to suit every ability. The network of trails winds through the valley, offering stunning views of the crags themselves – dramatic rock formations that jut out from the hillside, showcasing the power of nature. Keep an eye out for the diverse flora and fauna that call this valley home; from vibrant wildflowers to the elusive kingfisher, there's always something to discover.

A highlight of any visit to Hardcastle Crags is Gibson Mill. This fascinating 19th-century mill, now a visitor centre, offers a glimpse into the area's industrial past. Learn about the mill's history and the lives of the people who worked there, and perhaps even enjoy a refreshing cup of tea in the cafe. The mill is a perfect spot to take a break during your explorations and soak in the tranquil atmosphere.

The beauty and importance of Hardcastle Crags haven't gone unnoticed over the years. It's a testament to the power of community that this precious landscape has been protected from development. The valley has been the subject of reservoir proposals on several occasions, but thanks to the tireless efforts of local residents and conservationists, these plans have been successfully fought off, preserving this natural wonderland for generations to come.

Hardcastle Crags is more than just a pretty place; it's a vital part of the local ecosystem and a cherished space for the community. It's a place to connect with nature, to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life, and to appreciate the simple beauty of the natural world.

Planning your visit:

• Location: Near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
• Managed by: National Trust
• Highlights: Woodland walks, Hebden Water, Gibson Mill, stunning crags
• Perfect for: Hiking, family days out, nature lovers
• Don't forget: Your walking boots!

So, whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a peaceful escape, make sure to add Hardcastle Crags to your list. You won't be disappointed by the magic that awaits you in this beautiful corner of West Yorkshire.

Taken on September 10th, 2016 with a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. The picture i took have been split into 3 sets, this is set 3. Clicking any image below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Gibson Mill

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to follow me and share on social media and check out my portfolio on Photo4Me via the link below.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Puerto de San Miguel, Ibiza

 Puerto de San Miguel is a small resort on the northern coast of Ibiza. Originally growing up around the fishing industry, the village became a tourist destination with it's quiet family resort away from the crowds and clubbing scene that Ibiza is more known for.

These pictures were taken in July 2014 with a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera. I had taken a boat along the coast from Portinatx where I was staying to see San Miguel and the nearby Cova de Can Marca. There are 13 pictures taken around the village to see below and on Clickasnap.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.