Holmes Park: A Hidden Gem in Luddendenfoot

 Nestled in the picturesque village of Luddendenfoot, Holmes Park is a hidden gem that offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This charming park, with its lush green spaces, winding pathways, and stunning views of the surrounding countryside, is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, a family picnic, or simply a moment of quiet reflection.

What to Expect at Holmes Park:

• Serene Surroundings: Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature as you wander through the park's well-maintained grounds.
• Scenic Views: Take in breathtaking panoramic views of the Calder Valley, distant Pennine Hills, River Calder and Rochdale Canal.
• Picnic Spots: Find a cosy spot under a shady tree and enjoy a picnic with family and friends.
• Play Areas: Let the kids burn off some energy at the park's play areas, equipped with swings, slides, and climbing frames.
• Walking Trails: Explore the network of walking trails that wind through the park, offering opportunities to spot local wildlife.

Local Tips:

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer are ideal for enjoying the park's blooming flowers and warm weather.
• Parking: There is ample free parking available near the park.
• Facilities: The park lacks any facilities, their is a pub nearby to purchase refreshements.

Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to the area, Holmes Park is a must-visit destination. So, pack a picnic, grab your walking boots, and head to this delightful park for a truly unforgettable experience.

The pictures below were taken in November 2013 with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, I was just starting to take an interest in photography then. They can only be seen below or purchased in 6 x 4 size from Zazzle. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the Zazzle listing.

The Crossfield Fountain.

Erected in the memory of John William Crossfield a local mill owner.

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Small Steps, Big Views: A Walk Along the Valley and up the Hill.

On a sun-drenched summer day, I embarked on a camera-in-hand adventure along the Rochdale Canal. Starting at Bridge 3 (Rose Grove), I followed the waterway towards Luddendenfoot, capturing the tranquil beauty of the towpath and passing under bridges 4 and 5. After reaching Bridge 6 (Station Road) at Luddendenfoot, I ventured inland, ascending a winding track through lush woodlands and grassy meadows towards the township of Warley. My journey culminated at the hill top overlooking the Luddenden Valley with Oats Royd Mill at Booth an outstanding industrial structure in the distance.

I took the pictures below on the 28th July 2024 with a Nikon d3300, they can also be seen in a higher resolution on Clickasnap by clicking any image.

Rose Grove Bridge, Number 3 over the Rochdale Canal.

The Rochdale Canal, pictured between Bridge 3 (Rose Grove) and Bridge 4 (Longbottom) on a stretch of the canal at Tenterfields between Sowerby Bridge and Luddendenfoot.

Bridge 6 over the Rochdale Canal, Station Road Bridge is just off Burnley Road and used to provide access to Luddendenfoot Railway Station which closed in 1962. The station would probably be a busy little halt now with all the housing developments that have completed in the local area since its closure.

The previous 2 pictures were taken on the walk up from Luddenden to Warley. Although the 2nd picture looks like a dried up river bed I believe it to be a footpath that suffers from drainage problems when the weather is wet, which in Northern England is quite often.

Oats Royd Mill, Booth.

Sometimes called Moggy's Mill, Oats Royd Mill was built in stages between 1842 and 1886. It was a worsted spinning mill until 1984 when it was separated into units occupied by several different industries. Large parts of the buildings were badly damaged by fire in February 1989. Despite local opposition the remaining buildings were converted in to private housing.

The Luddenden Valley pictured from Deep Lane, Warley.

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Lord Nelson Inn, Luddenden (2013)

The Lord Nelson Inn can be found on High Street in the centre of the village of Luddenden, West Yorkshire. It is the only remaining pub in the village centre making it quite popular with the locals and quite well known and regarded further afield.

The building was built has a house in 1634 for Gregory Patchett, a prominent local landowner and was known as Newhouse, it may have also be used as a dairy around this time but by the middle of the following century the building had become a public house known as the White Swan. In 1805 shortly after the Battle of Trafalgar the pub was renamed the Lord Nelson in tribute to the great British Naval Hero and has kept the name since.

The Lord Nelson was home to Luddenden Library from 1776 until the collection was moved to Sowerby Bridge Library in 1917, a prominent member of the library being Branwell Bronte, brother of the famous sisters who when employed at nearby Luddendenfoot Railway Station was often found in the pub. The Inn has also stood in for the nearby St Mary's Church for various functions when it has been unavailable.

The 2 pictures below are all that remains of a set of 6 I took around the pub, they were taken on the 13th October 2013 with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

I took this from the garden - seating area at the junction of Old Lane and High Street.

I took this picture from the churchyard of St Mary's, the high building directly behind the Lord Nelson used to be the village school known as St Mary's Old School, it was closed in 1993 and is now a private residence.

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Luddenden Dene Wesleyan Chapel, August 2022

 

Luddenden Dene Wesleyan Chapel opened on Christmas Day 1828 and for a small chapel in a very rural location served the local congregation until November 1978. It had cost £459 17s 7d to build and was popular with the local community. The chapel could hold a congregation of around 200 and often did at Christmas, anniversaries and celebratory times, although normal services around 25 people would attend.

Luddenden Dene Chapel was destroyed by a fire that started in the boiler room in January 1954, after this the congregation met in the Sunday School that they had opened in the 1890's. This continued until 1978 when the congregation had reduced to just 8.

In the cemetery grounds, there are 2 plots that were purchased by Calvert's Mill at nearby Wainstalls for the burial of orphans that dies whilst employed there. Grave 183 which has a headstone and grave 184 which is unmarked. Many of the children were girls from Liverpool and died of disease and malnutrition, some are said to have been buried illegally on the locals moors and to date over 140 have been identified. The picture below shows grave 183.

These pictures were taken on the 16th August 2022 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. They can also be seen and purchased full size, resolution and un-watermarked on Clickasnap.

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Stocks Lane Horse Trough October 2013.

 The stone trough at the bottom of Stocks Lane, Luddenden was overgrown and largely forgotten about when I pictured it in October 2013. Trough's were spread around many villages, towns and cities before the coming of the motor vehicle to help water horses, dogs and even in some places cattle. Most have long since been removed or closed off no longer needed, but some can still be seen and a around a dozen still remain the Calderdale district.

The trough at the bottom of Stocks Lane is no longer fed with a large amount of water and most of the trough has been filled in with soil, bushes and plants. At the back is an inscription to William Patchett a local carpenter and undertaker, with the year 1861 and surveyor inscribed too. This was the year Patchett died, i don't know if the inscription is a memorial to him or a thanks to him for providing the trough.

These pictures were taken on the 13th October 2013 using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. They can be seen below or on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

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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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Luddenden Village in Art Images

 Luddenden Village art is a collection of 18 images created by me based on photographs I took around the village in November 2013. They can be seen in the YouTube slideshow or below and feature many scenes that will be familiar to people who know the village well.

Luddenden village grew up around the Luddenden Brook that flows through the centre, it was first mentioned in 1274 with reference to a corn mill that was powered by the brook. Over the next few centuries a number of mills were built alongside the brook and the area became more known for textiles than corn. Old lane was once the main route through the valley as people journeyed to and from Halifax, but this was replaced by the main turnpike road 1/2 a mile to the south which was constructed in the mid 18th century and the similarly named Luddenden Foot grew up around.

The village has a war memorial dedicated to Luddenden and Midgley, St Mary's Church and the Lord Nelson Inn, which was a frequent haunt of Bramwell Bronte, brother of the famous sisters when he worked on the nearby railway. Sadly since the 1980's a number of small shops and businesses that served the local community have closed, leaving a village of houses to remain.

The pictures below feature in the video above.

Old Lane was once part of the main packhorse route towards
Halifax, the M62 motorway of it's day until replaced by the turnpike
in the mid 18th century.

St Mary's Church.

The Luddenden Brook, this once helped to power of a dozen mills
for the textiles and corn (Flour) industries.

In the basement of the former St Mary's School, there were 3 holding cells,
although one has long since been removed. The 2 remaining have the townships
of Midgley and Warley inscribed in the lintel. The nearby Luddenden Brook
was the boundary between the 2, the removed cell is said to have had
Luddenden inscribed above it, no evidence remains. The cells were built
along with the school in 1825 and are not thought to have held occupants
since the 19th century.

The steps disused since the late 80's early 90's once provided
access to the offices of a mill that once occupied the site. Much
of the mill was demolished and replaced by housing.

Luddenden Brook and High Street Bridge.

Luddenden & Midgley War Memorial, unviled 1923.

Lord Nelson Inn from the churchyard of St Mary's.

High Street, Luddenden, the building towards the bottom was
the offices for the steps pictured earlier.

Inside St Mary's Church.

Luddenden Brook.

A closed off stone doorway alongside Luddenden Brook.

A memorial wheel to represent the ones that the corn mill that
once occupied the valley would have used.

Former Water Horse Trough at the bottom of Stocks Lane.

This cobbled yard is actually a bridge over Luddenden Brook, providing
access from High Street to High Street Court.

Lord Nelson Inn.

St Mary's Church clock tower.

Luddenden brook flows over the weir viewed from the churchyard
of St Mary's.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share, all the pictures can also be seen on my Clickasnap account full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.