The Duke of Lancaster: North Wales' Ghost Ship

There's something undeniably captivating about a ship stranded on land. It's a scene straight out of a maritime fantasy, a relic of the past frozen in time. And in the heart of North Wales, there's a perfect example of this: the Duke of Lancaster.

Once a proud passenger ferry, the Duke of Lancaster now rests on the banks of the River Dee, a silent sentinel on the Welsh coastline. Beached in 1979 with grand plans to become a floating leisure complex, the ship's destiny took a different course. Legal battles and financial woes halted the project, leaving the vessel abandoned and decaying.

Despite its forlorn state, the Duke of Lancaster has an undeniable allure. Its imposing silhouette against the Welsh sky is a striking image, and it has become a local landmark, drawing curious visitors and photographers alike. The ship is a time capsule, a tangible link to a bygone era of ocean liners and grand voyages.

While the ship's future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: it has captured the imagination of the public. Countless stories and legends surround the Duke of Lancaster, adding to its mystique. Some say it's haunted, others believe it's a symbol of lost dreams and unfulfilled potential.

Whether you're a history buff, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the unusual, the Duke of Lancaster is a must-see. It's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there's beauty to be found in the unexpected.

The pictures below were taken from the North Wales Coast walk, the path running around the Lancaster's berth, which is where I took these pictures from, the site clearly guarded against unwelcome visitors. I respected this and kept to the path, they were taken on the 27th July 2024 with a Nikon d3300. They can be seen in a higher resolution on my Clickasnap account.

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All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Fiery Sky at the Ruins of the Church of St Thomas a Becket, Heptonstall

The picture below is the result of a little tinkering with replacing a washed-out overcast sky in a picture I took in November 2013 with a more adventurous sunset-type sky.

The picture shows the inside of the ruined church of St. Thomas a Becket, Heptonstall, a church built on the site of an earlier one in the 15th century. The church was damaged beyond repair in the 19th century and replaced by the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, which occupies the same grounds as its predecessor.

I took the original pre-edited version of the picture on November 16, 2016 with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet; it can be seen un-watermarked on Clickasnap by clicking the image. The link opens in another window.

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Spen Valley Greenway, M62 to Cleckheaton Central

The Spen Valley Greenway is a cycle-pedestrian corridor connecting Low Moor with Ravensthorpe, West Yorkshire, passing through the towns of Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Liversedge on route. The route runs for approx. 8 miles along the former routes of the Spen Valley Railway and Ravensthorpe Branch Lines. 

The Greenway was planned after Sustrans acquired the trackbed in 1998, and opened in 2000. In addition to the remaining bridges, occasional railway signposts and ornamental benches along the route, there are artworks including Sally Matthews flock of Swaledale sheep and Trudi Entwistle's Rotate. The route is traffic free and pretty flat along it's length, with a few small gentle slopes up and down. There are supermarkets along the route including a Tesco alongside the former site of Cleckheaton Station and a Morrison's a short walk from the site of what was Heckmondwike Station.

Before conversion from an overgrown and abandoned former railway to a pleasant tarmacked cycle and pedestrian route, the greenway had a life as a railway known as the Mirfield and Low Moor Railway. The original double track line opening was in 2 stages, from Low Moor to Mirfield on the 18th July 1848, and the Ravensthorpe Branch connecting Thornhill with Heckmondwike on the 1st June 1849. At it's height the line had 8 stations along it's route which included Low Moor, Cleckheaton Central, Liversedge Central, Heckmondwike Central after which the line split with stops at Northorpe North Road and Mirfield along the Mirfield route, and Ravensthorpe Lower and Thornhill along the Ravensthorpe Branch Line. The line remained in use until passenger services were withdrawn in July 1965 and goods traffic ended in the late 1980's.

There are currently small campaigns trying to get the line reopened, as much of the trackbed remains clear and unbuilt upon this seems an easy but perhaps expensive plan. There is currently a population of over 50000 along the Spen Valley Route with limited access to rail without commuting. There are competing plans featuring heavy rail and light rail proposals.

I have previously posted the pictures taken on the route from Low Moor to the M62, the following set were taken from the M62 to the former site of Cleckheaton Central Station, they were pictured with a Nikon d3300 on the 30th December 2019.

The M62 Chain Bar Railway Bridge, pictured from the north (Low Moor) side. The line closed here whilst the M62 was constructed, this stretch of track remained open until 1981 as far south as Heckmondwike.

The southern end of the M62 Chain Bar Bridge. Laithe Hill Footbridge can be seen a sort distance down the cutting.

Laithe Hill Bridge.

Whitechapel Road Bridge,

A row of railway sleepers to the north of Cleckheaton, i'm guessing these were placed here as a nod to the greenways railway heritage.

The Spen Valley Greenway on a slight climb up to Whitcliffe Road Bridge. The line started to pen up just beyond the bridge to enter Cleckheaton Central Station and goods yard.

Whitcliffe Road Bridge from the opposite side.

The former trackbed away from Whitcliffe Road Bridge in the direction Cleckheaton Central Station.

The previous 2 pictures show the site of Cleckheaton Central Railway Station, the goods yard was off to the right of the picture and is now a Tesco Supermarket.

Cleckheaton Central was opened in 1847, and remained open to passenger traffic until June 1965, with goods traffic continued until May 1969. The station was demolished in stages between 1968 and 1971 where they story of Cleckheaton Central takes an unexpected turn.

In 1972 a contractor appeared before Wakefield Crown Court accused of stealing stone, timber, metal and other fittings from Cleckheaton Central, or as was widely reported at the time he was claimed to have stolen Cleckheaton Central Railway Station. In August 1971 British Rail's appointed contractor when arriving to clear the site found that it had already been removed. The accused had been contracted by another party to clear the site which had taken him 3 weeks to do. Despite efforts the other party was never traced and the defendant was found not guilty having proved he had been duped and left significantly out of pocket by the incident. To date this remains the only time a "Railway Station has been stolen" in the United Kingdom.

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Old Lane Mill, Ovenden, Halifax.

 

Towering over Ovenden in Halifax, Old Lane Mill stands as a testament to the industrial past of Yorkshire. Built in 1825, it's not just any mill; it's the oldest surviving multi-storey, steam-powered, iron-framed textile mill in Halifax, possibly even the UK.

James Akroyd, the visionary behind Old Lane Mill, wasn't afraid to push boundaries. He incorporated innovative features like an iron frame and stone floors, allowing the mill to support the weight of the revolutionary Jacquard looms he installed in 1827. These looms, the first of their kind in Britain, marked a significant leap forward in textile production.

Despite claims of being fireproof, Old Lane Mill wasn't immune to disaster. A blaze ripped through the building in 1905, causing significant damage. However, the mill persevered, changing hands and purposes throughout the 20th century. It even served as part of the larger Dean Clough Mill complex for a time.

Today, Old Lane Mill stands derelict, a haunting reminder of a bygone era. The empty shell, though ravaged by time and vandalism, still whispers stories of innovation and industry. The stone floors, stripped-out machinery remnants, and the large engine house with its distinctive features offer a glimpse into the heart of a once-thriving mill.

The future of Old Lane Mill remains uncertain. Preservation efforts are ongoing due to the building's historical significance. Whether it's restored to its former glory or repurposed for a new life, Old Lane Mill undoubtedly deserves to be cherished as a vital piece of Halifax's textile heritage.

Please note: Due to the derelict state of the building, exploring Old Lane Mill is not recommended.

I was in the area on the 15th April 2015 and visited the mill, I made no effort to enter the building as it looks unsafe and I am not good with heights, preferring to just photograph the outside safely on the ground level. There are many others that have photographed and video the inside available to view online, and Martin Zero did an excellent video on YouTube about the mill some 3 years ago that is worth a look. The pictures were taken using a polaroid is2132 bridge camera, they can be seen below or on my Clickasnap account were they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

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Abandoned Farm Building at Bradley

 I found this building whilst walking from Cooper Bridge to Brighouse trying to find a route alongside the Calder and Hebble Navigation.  I just happened upon whilst walking a track that crossed the railway leading down to the canal and with the gates clearly being locked I only photographed the building from the track passing as I am not sure about trespassing.

The pictures were taken on the 27th May 2023 with a Nikon d3300 camera. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to a un-watermarked, higher resolution version of the image on Clickasnap.

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Anchor Pit Abutment

 Anchor Pit was once the site of a railway junction near Brighouse, West Yorkshire. It is where the Pickle Bridge line split from the Calder Valley Main line in the direction of Bradford until closure in 1952. Some of the lines structures remain to the north of the River Calder in the direction of Wyke, but to the south of the river not much evidence remains that their was once a railway junction here, except the remains of what was once part of the crossing over the the valley. This abutment pictured being the only remains.

I took these pictures on the 27th May 2023 with aNikon d3300 camera.

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Operation Starfish, Dummy Aerodrome at Sowerby, West Yorkshire 16 August 2022

 I previously visited the remains of the Operation Starfish Site on the 15th June 2015 and posted about that visit in an earlier post. Whilst passing on the 16th August 2022 and now in possession of a much better camera I decided to visit the scene again. I knew nothing much would have changed and apart from a bit more rubbish being left, and a bit of damage to the brick work outside nothing really has changed.

The pictures below were taken using a Nikon d3300 SLR and can also be seen full size, resolution and un-watermarked on my Clickasnap account. The text below the pictures is taken from my post dated 3rd February 2018 featuring the images taken in 2015.

The blast door pictured in front of the bunkers main entrance

Inside the bunker on the left hand side of the entrance is this former control
room. Now filling up with rubbish that has been left behind.

Looking north over the bunker. In the foreground can be seen some
brickworks, probably housed washrooms and generators. Their isn't much
evidence of the site ever being linked to mains electric.

The former control room to the right hand side of the entrance.

Looking west away from the bunkers entrance, taken from the roof I
assume the site in front of me would have housed the metal pans
that created the dummy lighting effect.

The following text is taken from my previous post on the Operation Starfish plans.

Operation Starfish was a large scale 2nd World War decoy plan to fool German bombers in to dropping their payloads in the wrong areas. The plan was developed by Colonel John Turner after the near destruction of Coventry in November 1940. The sites were developed in the countryside approx. 4 miles from what were considered targets for the German bombers. The surrounding fields usually had a metal trough through the undergrowth which would be filled with a mixture of creosote, coal, diesel oil and set alight when bombers were in the area, after a short time of usually 15mins water would be added to create an explosion and a burst of flame fooling the overhead bombers in to thinking that it was the target after the initial bombs had dropped.

The site at Sowerby was developed as a decoy for the cities of Manchester and Leeds as well as the railway goods yards at, Greetland, Halifax, Todmorden, Littleborough and Rochdale. The site had a 2 room bunker which is still standing, which was entered through a short passage behind a blast wall.

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Jumble Hole, Between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge

 Jumble Hole is a wooded Valley that runs down from Blackshaw Head towards Eastwood between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. Jumble Hole Clough is the water that runs down it flowing towards the River Calder, although historically this was known as Blackshaw Clough.

The water was used to power a number of mills along its path and a few dwellings were also scattered alongside the stream. Water from Jumble Hole was also used in baptisms by the nearby Nazebottom Baptist Church. This waterway is the traditional boundary between Yorkshire and Lancashire.

I was walking along this stretch of Woodland on the 4th May 2022 and whilst passing a bridge over the clough I discovered and abandoned dwelling that I had to picture. I also did a couple of artworks based around the fireplace that still remains. They can be seen below or on my Clickasnap profile where they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked. They were taken using a Nikon d3300SLR camera.

Inside the abandoned dwelling I found. This artwork is based on
a photo that can be seen below.

Jumble Hole Clough.

Jumble Hole Clough, the abandoned dwelling is just to the right
of the picture.

Another artwork of the inside of the abandoned dwelling.

The abandoned dwelling, it was the top of the fireplace, just visible
that made me go and take a look around.

Jumble Hole Clough weir.

The photo of the fireplace my artworks are based on.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share. All the images can also be seen on Clickasnap.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Old Lane Mill, Ovenden, Halifax

Towering over Ovenden in Halifax, Old Lane Mill stands as a testament to the industrial past of Yorkshire. Built in 1825, it's not just any mill; it's the oldest surviving multi-storey, steam-powered, iron-framed textile mill in Halifax, possibly even the UK.

James Akroyd, the visionary behind Old Lane Mill, wasn't afraid to push boundaries. He incorporated innovative features like an iron frame and stone floors, allowing the mill to support the weight of the revolutionary Jacquard looms he installed in 1827. These looms, the first of their kind in Britain, marked a significant leap forward in textile production.

Despite claims of being fireproof, Old Lane Mill wasn't immune to disaster. A blaze ripped through the building in 1905, causing significant damage. However, the mill persevered, changing hands and purposes throughout the 20th century. It even served as part of the larger Dean Clough Mill complex for a time.

Today, Old Lane Mill stands derelict, a haunting reminder of a bygone era. The empty shell, though ravaged by time and vandalism, still whispers stories of innovation and industry. The stone floors, stripped-out machinery remnants, and the large engine house with its distinctive features offer a glimpse into the heart of a once-thriving mill.

The future of Old Lane Mill remains uncertain. Preservation efforts are ongoing due to the building's historical significance. Whether it's restored to its former glory or repurposed for a new life, Old Lane Mill undoubtedly deserves to be cherished as a vital piece of Halifax's textile heritage.

Please note: Due to the derelict state of the building, exploring Old Lane Mill is not recommended.I was in the area on the 15th April 2015 and visited the mill, I made no effort to enter the building as it looks unsafe and I am not good with heights, preferring to just photograph the outside safely on the ground level. There are many others that have photographed and video the inside available to view online, and Martin Zero did an excellent video on YouTube about the mill some 3 years ago that is worth a look. The pictures were taken using a polaroid is2132 bridge camera, they can be seen below or on my Clickasnap account were they are full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

The water outlet stands just to the south of Old Lane Mill, it carries
the Ovenden Brook underneath the mill and probably provided some 
of the power source for the mill historically.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share.

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the Clickasnap version.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green. Please don't take the approach of an estate agent who a few years ago was marketing the mill and decided to use my pictures without permission, suitable recompense and no credit. The not even bothering to credit me really was the most annoying bit.