A Short Stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Bridge 199 to the Bottom of the Bingley Five Rise Locks

 The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a 127 mile long canal that crossers the Pennines linking Leeds with Liverpool. Along it's route it passes many famous northern towns including Bramley, Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, Nelson, Burnley, Blackburn, Leigh, Wigan and Aintree amongst many others.

The section I pictured was a short stretch from Bridge 199 to the bottom of the famous Five Rise Locks at Bingley, this being the first phase of the canal to be completed in 1773 from near to the top of the locks to Skipton, the locks opening in 1774 when the canal had been extended to Shipley.

All the pictures were taken on the July 9 2016 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. The first set shown were taken on the canal between Bridge 199 and the Five Rise Locks Cafe, more on the Five Rise Locks further down the page.

Bridge 199 carries Micklethwaite Lane across the canal.

The Five Rise Locks Cafe, the locks are behind the
position I am stood.

The Five Rise Locks are a staircase Lock that rises at a gradient of 59.2ft in a distance of just 320ft, these are the steepest flight of locks in the United Kingdom. The locks have a full-time lock keeper due to the complicated nature of navigating the five locks up or down, they require a lot of maintenance and often close during the quieter winter months to enable this.

The locks are Grade I listed having been granted this status on the August 9 1966, they were opened on March 21 1774 and it is said a crowd of over 30000 people turned up to celebrate the major feat of engineering, the first boat to navigate the locks took 28 minutes.

The top lock looking down across all 5 to the bottom. There is a bridge
across each lock and the depth of each is approx 50 - 60ft.

Each lock has a overflow like the one seen here to the bottom left
of the picture. This helps control the water levels when boats enter.

I took this to give some idea of how deep each lock is.

The bottom of the locks looking towards the top, the channel to the
right helps to remove the excess water from each lock
via the overflow.

Taken looking away from the bottom lock along the Leeds - Liverpool
Canal in the direction of Leeds. The Bingley Three Rise Locks are just
a short distance beyond the far end of the picture.

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St. Paul's, Denholme: A Silent Sentinel Overlooking the Worth Valley

Nestled on a hillside overlooking the charming town of Denholme, West Yorkshire, stands the imposing yet melancholic shell of St. Paul's Church. A testament to Victorian ambition and a poignant reminder of shifting demographics, this Grade II listed building, consecrated in 1846, now exists in a state of quiet redundancy, its story etched in weathered stone and silent stained glass.

A Victorian Vision: Origins and Architecture

St. Paul's was erected during a period of rapid industrial expansion in the Worth Valley. Denholme, like many surrounding towns, experienced a surge in population, necessitating the construction of new places of worship. The church, designed in the Gothic Revival style, reflects the prevailing architectural tastes of the mid-19th century. Its construction speaks of the era's commitment to creating grand, spiritually uplifting structures.

Key architectural features that warrant attention include:

• Materials: The church is constructed from locally sourced stone, a hallmark of Yorkshire architecture. This material not only provides durability but also lends a sense of continuity with the surrounding landscape.
• Gothic Revival Elements: Observe the pointed arch windows, the intricate stone tracery, and the (now likely deteriorating) stained glass. These elements are quintessential to the Gothic Revival, a style that sought to evoke the grandeur of medieval cathedrals.
• Tower and Spire: The church's tower, once a prominent landmark, likely featured a spire, which is a common feature in parish churches of this period. (If the spire is no longer present, this fact should be noted with possible reasons why.)
• Plan and Layout: Research the original floor plan. Was it a traditional nave and chancel layout? Were there any notable features within the interior, such as a gallery, a specific type of pulpit, or particular stained glass windows? (This would be where online photos would be a great resource to cite.)

Decline and Redundancy: A Reflection of Changing Times

St. Paul's served its community for over 150 years, witnessing generations of baptisms, marriages, and funerals. However, by the late 20th century, the church faced dwindling congregations, a common trend in many rural areas.

• The church's closure in June 1997, due to structural and safety concerns, marked a significant turning point. The final service within its walls was a poignant moment, signaling the end of an era.
• The farewell service held in the new graveyard on September 5, 1999, further emphasized the church's redundancy, highlighting the community's shift towards alternative places of worship or changing religious practices.
• The fact that the church became a private residence is a common solution for redundant churches. This shows the difficulty in maintaining such large structures.

Current Status: A Private Residence and Grounds

As noted, St. Paul's has since been converted into a private residence. This transformation presents a unique situation, blending historical preservation with contemporary living.

• It is crucial to emphasize that there is no public access to the interior of the building. The current owners have a right to privacy, and any attempts to enter the property without permission would be a trespass.
• While the grounds may be accessible for those wishing to visit loved ones buried in the graveyard, it is imperative to contact the owners beforehand to ascertain the current access policy. Do not assume that public access is granted.
• The fact that the building has become a private residence, does give it a chance of survival, where otherwise it may have fallen into total disrepair.

 I took these pictures in July 2016 with a Nikon d3300 camera, clicking any image below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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