Tracing the Ghost Tracks: A Walk Along the Rishworth Branch Line

The Ryburn Valley, a picturesque slice of West Yorkshire, holds secrets whispered on the winter wind. On a crisp January day in 2016, armed with my Nikon D3300, I set out to explore a fragment of its forgotten past: the Rishworth Branch Line. This railway, a vital artery in its time, once snaked its way up the valley from Sowerby Bridge, connecting Watson's Mill Crossing, Triangle, and Ripponden before reaching its final destination in Rishworth.

Though the last train rattled along these tracks in the 1950s, the remnants of this once-bustling line remain, etched into the landscape. My journey, a roughly half-mile trek, took me from the echoes of Watson's Mill to the quiet village of Triangle. And what a journey it was!

The air was sharp and cold, the ground firm underfoot, as I followed the ghostly path of the former trackbed. The silence was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of winter-bare trees and the distant murmur of the Ryburn River. It was easy to imagine the steam engines, their rhythmic chugging echoing through the valley, the shouts of passengers and the clatter of cargo.

What struck me most were the bridges. These sturdy stone structures, silent witnesses to a bygone era, still spanned the former trackbed, their arches framing snippets of the valley's beauty. They stood as testaments to the engineering prowess of the past, their weathered stones bearing the marks of time and the elements.

The photographs I captured on that day, the 30th of January 2016, tell a story of quiet resilience. The stark beauty of the winter landscape, the skeletal trees against the pale sky, the weathered stones of the bridges – all combined to create a sense of timelessness.

Walking along the Rishworth Branch Line was like stepping into a historical photograph. It was a journey through time, a glimpse into a world where steam engines ruled the rails and communities were connected by the iron horse.

It's a reminder that even when progress moves forward, the echoes of the past remain, woven into the fabric of the landscape. The Rishworth Branch Line, though silent, continues to tell its story, a story of connection, community, and the enduring beauty of the Ryburn Valley. If you ever find yourself in the area, take a walk along these ghost tracks. You might just hear the whispers of history on the winter wind.

Clicking any of the images below should open a window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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Aspinall Street: Where Ted Hughes Began

Nestled in the heart of Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, a seemingly ordinary terraced house holds an extraordinary secret. 1 Aspinall Street, with its unassuming facade, is the birthplace of one of England's most celebrated poets, Ted Hughes. Born on August 17th, 1930, Hughes's early years within these walls, and the wild, dramatic landscape surrounding them, would forever shape his poetic vision.

Imagine a young Ted, his imagination ignited by the rugged beauty of the Calder Valley. The wind whistling through the hills, the dark, brooding moors, the rushing waters of the River Calder – these were the raw materials that would later be forged into the powerful imagery of his poetry. He lived here until he was eight, a formative period that imprinted the very essence of this place onto his soul, even after his family moved to Mexborough, South Yorkshire.

It's fascinating to consider how this small, terraced house, a humble beginning, could nurture such a towering literary figure. The landscape of Mytholmroyd, with its blend of industrial grit and untamed nature, is palpable in Hughes's work. You can almost feel the dampness of the stone, hear the cries of the curlews, and sense the ancient, elemental forces that he so masterfully evoked.

Today, 1 Aspinall Street stands as a testament to Hughes's legacy, thanks to the dedicated work of the Elmet Trust. Established in 2006, the Trust is a passionate advocate for Hughes's life and work. They took on the responsibility of restoring the house, meticulously recreating its 1930s ambiance. In June 2008, their efforts culminated in a beautifully preserved piece of literary history.

But 1 Aspinall Street isn't just a museum piece. It's a living, breathing space, a retreat for writers seeking inspiration in the very place where Hughes's own journey began. Imagine yourself, pen in hand, sitting by the window, gazing out at the same vistas that fuelled his imagination. The very air seems charged with creative energy.

The Elmet Trust has transformed this modest dwelling into a sanctuary, a place where words can flow freely, where the echoes of Hughes's voice can still be heard. It's a reminder that even the most extraordinary journeys often begin in the most ordinary of places.

If you're a writer, a poet, or simply a lover of literature, consider a pilgrimage to 1 Aspinall Street. It's more than just a house; it's a portal to the past, a connection to the roots of a literary giant, and a chance to experience the very landscape that shaped his genius.

Perhaps, within those walls, you too will find your own voice, inspired by the whispers of Aspinall Street.

I took these pictures on the 21st July 2018 with a Nikon d3300, clicking on any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

I wanted to add the sepia & black and white versions to age the pictures a little, i felt they gave the photo's a bit more character than the colour versions.

The picture below features a copy of Hughes poem the Harvest Moon, no copyright infringement is intended and I will remove if required.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media, and check out my Portfolio's on Photo4Me and ClickAsnap via the links below.

All pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.