Stoodley Pike November 2016

Towering over the Calder Valley, Stoodley Pike is more than just a hill overlooking the town of Todmorden, West Yorkshire; it's a monument; it's a beacon, a challenge, and a gateway to breathtaking panoramas. I embarked on my own Stoodley Pike adventure, and let me tell you, it was an experience in stunning vistas.

There are several routes to the summit, each offering its own unique charm. I opted for the Shaw Wood Road trail, starting from the A646 Burnley Road. The trail leaves Burnley Road almost immediately, crossing over the Rochdale Canal alongside Lock No. 15 Shawplains. The road winds through woodlands before reaching a housing estate at Lee Bottom Road, which runs eastward, offering glimpses of the imposing Pike as you ascend. Be prepared for a good workout, as the trail steadily gains elevation.

Finally, after conquering the final incline, the reward arrives. The 39-step spiral staircase beckons, leading you up another 40 feet to the balcony of the monument. Remember, a torch is recommended, as the narrow passage plunges into darkness, despite a grill that is meant to offer a light source.

The views from the top are nothing short of magnificent. The hill, at a height of 1300 feet, shows rolling fields in every direction, dotted with villages, reservoirs, and the distant Pennine peaks. On a clear day, you can even see Manchester and the Irish Sea! Take a deep breath, soak it all in, and feel the sense of accomplishment wash over you.

But Stoodley Pike is more than just a scenic overlook. It's steeped in history, dating back to the Iron Age. Explore the monument's intriguing inscriptions and weathered stones, whispering tales of the past. A monument was originally built to commemorate the Napoleonic Wars and then rebuilt to remember the Crimean War.

The monument features the following faded inscription above the north facing door:

STOODLEY PIKE

A BEACON MONUMENT

ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION

COMMENCED IN 1814 TO COMMEMORATE

THE SURRENDER OF PARIS TO THE ALLIES

AND FINISHED AFTER THE BATTLE OF

WATERLOO WHEN PEACE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1815.

BY A STRANGE COINCIDENCE

THE PIKE FELL ON THE DAY THE RUSSIAN

AMBASSADOR LEFT LONDON BEFORE THE

DECLARATION OF WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854.

WAS REBUILT WHEN PEACE WAS RESTORED IN

1856.

RESTORED AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR FIXED IN

1889.

 

The pictures below were taken on the 19th November 2016 with a Nikon D3300; they can be seen un-watermarked on my Clickasnap portfolio. Click any image to view it there.

The path up to Stoodley Pike, the monument visible at the summit.

I think the snow clinging to the side of the structure gives the monument a completely different feel to its usual look.

The Calder Valley and beyond towards Lancashire, taken from the base of the monument.

Looking west away from the monument, I have always liked this picture as it's gives the impression the clouds will shortly fall over the edge of the hill.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media, you can also check out my Zazzle stores and Photo4Me portfolio via the links below.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Vintage Rochdale Canal Images.

The pictures below were taken on the Rochdale Canal between Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd in November 2013. I've edited them to give the impression of a vintage photograph with vignette and noise added to increase the effect.

They were taken using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on November 2nd 2013, they can also be seen on Clickasnap un-watermarked and higher resolution.

Lock 7 Broad Bottom can be found on the canal near the point where Burnley Road crossers over the canal, a short distance from what was once the site of Walkley Clogs. The lock is Grade II listed having been given this status on the 21st June 1984.

Mayroyd Moorings, Hebden Bridge pictured from Station Road Bridge.

Broad Bottom Lane Bridge pictured from Broad Bottom Lock 7, Mytholmroyd.

Bridge 12, Westfield Terrace Bridge, the canal had been drained for a stretch here, I can not remember why and for how far it stretched.

Mayroyd Bridge near the moorings at Hebden Bridge.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to check out my stores on Zazzle, my portfolio on Photo4Me and to share and follow me on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Heptonstall's 2 Church Yard

The village of Heptonstall boasts a unique claim to fame: two churches, both dedicated to St Thomas, stand intertwined in a single churchyard. Today, we delve into the intriguing history of these two, the Church of St Thomas a Becket and it's replacement, the Church of St Thomas the Apostle.

The Church of St Thomas a Becket.

Built between 1256 and 1260, the church witnessed centuries of life in the village. Its sturdy walls echoed with prayers, celebrations, and quiet moments of contemplation. Additions and alterations over time gave it a distinctive character, boasting two naves, aisles, chantry chapels, and a towering presence.

Fate, however, intervened in 1847 when a fierce storm ripped through the church, damaging it beyond repair. The community eventually embraced a new chapter. By 1854, a new church, St Thomas the Apostle, rose nearby, leaving the older structure to stand as a poignant reminder of what was.

Today, the ruins of St Thomas a Becket, carefully maintained and open to the public, offer a glimpse into the past. Crumbling arches frame the sky, weathered stones whisper tales of bygone days, and the silence holds a unique resonance. Occasionally, open-air services breathe life into these historical vestiges, creating a link between the past and present.

But the story of St Thomas a Becket extends beyond the physical structure. It's woven into the fabric of Heptonstall, intertwined with the lives of its residents and visitors. For some, it's a place of quiet reflection; for others, it's a source of historical intrigue; and for many, a symbol of the village's resilience and evolving identity.

The church of St Thomas the Apostle

Rising beside it stands the current church, completed in 1854. Its Victorian Gothic architecture exudes a sense of grandeur, boasting stained-glass windows that bathe the interior in a kaleidoscope of light. Each intricately designed panel tells a story, inviting contemplation and reflection.

Beyond its physical beauty, St. Thomas holds a special place in the hearts of the Heptonstall community. Regular services provide a space for spiritual sustenance and connection, while events like the Pennine Spring Music Festival fill the air with vibrant melodies.

But the church's reach extends further. The churchyard, too, plays a significant role, serving as the final resting place for notable figures like the poet Sylvia Plath and the Notoriuos "king" David Hartley, leader of the Cragg Vale Coiners, adding another layer to the rich tapestry of stories woven around the church.

I took these pictures on July 11, 2020, with a Nikon D3300.

The Parish Church of St Thomas the Apostle. The graveyard which surrounds both churches is said to hold the remains of over 100000. This burial ground was closed to new interments in 1915 and a new one opened nearby on land gifted by Gamaliel Sutcliffe.

The remains of the Parish Church of St Thomas a Becket.

The new church pictured from the doorway of the old church.

The pinnacle struck by lightening in 1875, stands outside the church as a monument to the night it fell from the tower.

Clicking any image should open a link to the un-watermarked, higher resolution version available on Clickasnap. Some of these pictures can also be purchased on Photo4Me and Zazzle on posters, canvasses and a number of other products.

Thanks fro looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media, and check out my stores on Zazzle and portfolio on Photo4Me

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Water Street and The Golden Lion, Todmorden

These 2 pictures were a couple of random ones I took on Saturday 6th January 2024, I'd caught the train to Todmorden with a view to walking the Rochdale Canal to Sowerby Bridge and captured these 2 images shortly after reaching Todmorden.

The Picture shows Water Street a thoroughfare thats runs away from the Town Hall Building. The street is lined by shops on one side and a tributary of the River Calder on the opposite. Past names of the road have included Pall Mall and Old Shop Lane.

The Golden Lion pictured from the Rochdale Canal. The pub is amongst the oldest buildings in the town centre, it's original construction being in 1770 as a coaching inn as a new turnpike connecting Manchester with Halifax had recently opened. The Golden Lion has been the scene of many prominent town meetings included the ones that saw the decisions to build the Town Hall and the monument at Stoodley Pike. It has also be used for town inquests and was the post office for a time.

The higher resolution, un-watermarked versions can be seen on Clickasnap by clicking the image. These can also be purchased at Photo4Me.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media, check out my Zazzle stores and photo4 me portfolio.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.