Bridge to Bridge: The Calder & Hebble from Mearclough and Copley

During a pleasant walk along the Calder & Hebble Navigation on May 7th, 2017, the following images were taken, capturing the serene natural beauty accessible just moments from a busy West Yorkshire town, a testament to the canal's unique charm

The first image, looking down the Calder & Hebble Navigation from Mearclough Bridge, it's hard to imagine the industrial heart that once pulsed here. This photograph, taken on May 7th, 2017, showcases a scene of pastoral tranquility, a world transformed from its working past. Where once the towering Canal Mills dominated the landscape, now nature reigns, softening the edges and creating a haven of green. The still waters reflect the verdant foliage, a stark contrast to the smoke and clamour that would have filled the air just decades ago. This image is a testament to the resilience of nature and the quiet beauty that has reclaimed this historic waterway.

Our journey continues along the towpath, where the tranquil ribbon of the canal is bordered by the vibrant green trees banking the expanse of Copley's playing fields. This next quartet of images captures a slice of time along this stretch, a place where the echoes of playful shouts and the quiet lapping of water create a unique harmony. Dominating the scene, and a silent sentinel of this landscape, is the venerable footbridge. For over a century and a half, its sturdy frame has spanned the canal, a testament to Victorian engineering and enduring craftsmanship. Imagine the countless journeys it has witnessed: the clatter of clogs on its wooden planks, the hushed whispers of lovers pausing to gaze at the still water, the steady passage of working boats laden with goods. Each rusted rivet and weathered beam holds a story, a whisper of the past. The bridge, more than just a crossing, is a living artifact, a stoic guardian watching over the canal's ever-flowing narrative. The play of light and shadow across its aged structure, the way it frames the landscape, and the subtle textures of its timeworn surfaces all contribute to a visual tapestry that speaks volumes about the passage of time and the enduring presence of history in our everyday surroundings.

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Copley Bridge: A Lost Landmark

 The historic Copley River Bridge, a graceful two-arch stone structure, once spanned the River Calder, carrying North Dean Road across its waters. Built in 1831 by Richard Kennett-Dawson, the last Lord of the Manor of Copley, the bridge was a significant local landmark.

For many years, a toll was charged to cross the bridge, a practice that ended in 1856. The bridge stood for 184 years, weathering the passage of time and serving as a vital connection for the community.

However, the bridge's legacy was tragically cut short. The devastating Boxing Day floods of 2015 wreaked havoc on the Calder Valley, leaving the bridge severely damaged. Despite efforts to repair it, the extent of the damage necessitated its demolition.

In 2017, a modern replacement, a single-span steel bridge, was constructed and opened. To honor the memory of Graham Wilson, a long time resident of the tollhouse who passed away that same year, the new bridge was named the Wilson Bridge.

Though the historic Copley River Bridge is no longer with us, its memory lives on, a reminder of the region's rich history and the enduring power of nature.

The former Copley Toll Booth, a quaint building dating back to around 1831, still stands today. Originally situated at the end of the old stone bridge, it now serves as a private residence south of the Wilson Bridge.

I took these pictures on the 1st February 2014 with a Polaroid is2132.

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A Walk in Winter: The Calder and Hebble Navigation

These black and white photos capture the stark beauty of a winter scene along the Calder and Hebble Navigation. The path, blanketed in snow, winds its way alongside a still waterway. The trees lining the bank are bare, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers towards the inky sky.

The absence of color in this photo only heightens the sense of tranquility. The world seems hushed, blanketed in a peaceful silence. Footprints visible in the snow are likely those of lonely hikers, making the viewer feel as though they are a remote person in this isolated landscape.

The Calder and Hebble Navigation is a 21-mile canal in West Yorkshire, England. It was built in the late 18th century to connect Sowerby Bridge with Wakefield. Today, the canal is a popular spot for walking, cycling, and boating.

This photo is a reminder that even in the depths of winter, there is beauty to be found in the natural world. The stark contrast of the black and white tones highlights the simple elegance of the scene. The stillness of the river and the bare branches of the trees create a sense of peace and tranquility.

If you're looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the Calder and Hebble Navigation is a great option. A walk along the canal towpath is a chance to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the season, whatever the weather.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Calder and Hebble Navigation is also steeped in history. The canal was an important transportation artery during the Industrial Revolution, and there are a number of old mills and warehouses along its banks. Today, these buildings have been converted into homes, businesses, and arts centers.

Whether you're interested in history, nature, or simply looking for a place to relax, the Calder and Hebble Navigation is a great place to visit. So next time you're in West Yorkshire, be sure to take a walk along this historic waterway. You might just be surprised by the beauty you find.

The pictures below were taken on the 17th January 2016 with a Nikon D3300 Camera, they can also be seen in a higher resolution on Clickasnap, by simply clicking any of the images. All will open in another window.

The canal pictured looking away from Walker Lane Bridge towards Chain Bridge. The Sowerby Bridge Gas Works and Gasometers used to occupy a site to the left of the picture just beyond the trees, the gasometers have long since been removed.

The canal is pictured here between Hollas Lane Bridge (Sterne Mills Bridge) and Edwards Road Bridge (Canal Mills Bridge). Both Bridges tend to known by either name, the land to the left of the picture has been redeveloped in to Copley Valley a mixed use zone of housing, industry and nature areas since this picture was taken. The land to the right of the picture may also face redevelopment in the coming years, it was for a number of years a car park for the Halifax Bank's Copley Data Centre, this has been closed for a while now with the data set to close and be sold off in the near future.

The canal towards Mearclough Canal Bridge, the waterway narrows a little here, often wondered why.

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The following images are the colour versions of the pictures,

River Calder at Copley - March 2015

 River Calder at Copley is a set of 6 pictures taken in March 2015 on an approx 1 mile stretch of the river from Copley Valley to the Village. The area around the river Calder at Copley Valley has seen major development since these pictures were taken, with new housing on the north bank of the river, new industrial units on the south side of the river, and a new bridge and roads linking the 2.

The majority of the site used to be covered by Sterne Mills, and the former Sowerby Bridge Sewage Works which had been opened in 1896. A mill had been on the site of Sterne Mills since at least the 18th century, but by the turn of the Millennium the site was unoccupied after the Standard Wire Company had moved away. The opposite banks of the river were originally a fording point until a wooden bridge was constructed, this was replaced by a single track concrete structure in 1914, and again by the current crossing a few years ago. The only remains of Sterne Mills today are the weir that powered the mill, and a sluice gate near the weir.

The pictures below were taken on the 8th March 2015 with a Polaroid is2132 camera, they can also be seen on Clickasnap, un-watermarked.

The former sluice gate is all that remains of the mills that once occupied the site.

The weir and modern bridge crossing, the 1914 bridge abutment can just be seen before the metal banking, behind the watermarked col.

The river passing Copley Village, the stone wall to the pictures left is all the remains of Edward Akroyd's Copley Mill which was demolished in 1974, the site is now covered by housing.

This picture was taken from the side of Copley Playing fields looking towards the bridge and wier.

Taken from the south bank, this path used to pass Sowerby Bridge Sewage Works, the site is now occupied by industrial units. I was told once that the river used to be navigable past this point until the canal came and weirs were built to power the mills.

The river again pictured here to the west of Sterne Mills Bridge, the north bank pictured across the river is now covered by housing on what was once considered a flood plain. Just about visible through the trees is the Halifax Bank's Copley Data Centre, opened in the mid 1980's the centre is earmarked for complete closure in 2025.

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Copley Viaducts, December 2018

 Copley is a small village to the south of Halifax, West Yorkshire widely known for the 2 railway viaducts that cross the valley to the west of the village, there is actually 3 railway viaducts with the third crossing the River Calder to the east of the village. The pictures below show the 2 more widely known viaducts at Copley taken on the 9th December 2018.

The 23 arch Copley Viaduct is the more commonly known viaduct, it's the youngest of the 3 having been completed and opened in 1852. It completed the first direct link between the Sowerby Bridge Railway Station and Halifax Railway Station, trains having reversed up from Greetland Railway Station to Halifax when the branch line connecting them opened in 1844.

The viaduct passes over or nearby to the River Calder, Copley Cricket Ground, Calder & Hebble Navigation Canal and the A6026 Wakefield Road.

Both the viaducts can be seen here in this picture taken from Norland. The smaller and older Copley 3 arch viaduct was built by George Stephenson for the Manchester and Leeds Railway. The viaduct carried the first line to pass through the Copley Valley when opened in 1840. The line was closed to passenger trains in 1970, the odd diversion or excursion train using the now mainly freight route. Plans to close the line between Milner Royd and Heaton Lodge Junctions were discussed a number of times before being abandoned completely in the 1980's. In 2000 Brighouse station reopened and passenger trains regularly passed over the viaduct once again.

These 2 pictures were taken on the 9th December 2018 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. The picture below shows the third Copley Viaduct and was taken on the 25th February 2019.

This viaduct crossers the River Calder to the east of Copley village, near to Old Rishworthians sports ground. Opened along with the line in 1840 by the Manchester and Leeds Railway line passes the bottom of North Dean Woods. I have previously posted about this viaduct here in a post called Copley Viaduct (the lesser known one)

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Artworks of Calderdale

 The following are a collection of digital artworks I created based on photograph's I took in 2013 of various well known places of interest in Calderdale. They can also be seen on Clickasnap, where copies can also be purchased or just view if you require.

Todmorden Town Hall.

Hebden Bridge Railway Station

Stoodley Pike Monument

Halifax Railway Station

St Mary's Church Clocktower, Luddenden.

Todmorden Unitarian Church

Ruins of the Church of Thomas a' Becket, Heptonstall

Copley Toll House

Brighouse Library and Smith Art Gallery

Piece Hall before refurbishment

Old Bridge Over Hebden Water, Hebden Bridge

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The Calder and Hebble Navigation February 2020

 The Calder & Hebble Navigation is a canal that runs through West Yorkshire linking Sowerby Bridge with Wakefield. It is a broad canal opened in 1770 following a path created by the Rivers Hebble and Calder of which the canal navigates in sections along its route.

The section featured in these pictures is between Sowerby Bridge basin where the canal connects with the Rochdale Canal and Salterhebble Locks which are the first set on the canal, just after the canals junction with the Halifax Branch Canal.

The pictures were taken on the 29th February 2020, this was just before the UK entered the period of lockdown and uncertainty that the covid pandemic was to bring. There are a total of 13 to view which can be seen below or on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media. All the pictures can be seen and purchased on Clickasnap, full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.