The Ruins of the Church of St Thomas a' Becket

 Built sometime in late 12th - early 13th Century, the Heptonstall Parish Church was known as the Church of St Thomas a' Becket. It was also known as the chapel The Chapel of St Thomas the Martyr. It was built to serve the communities of Heptonstall, Erringden, Langfield, Stansfield and Wadsworth. The Priests were appointed and paid for by the Vicar of Halifax as the church was to serve the people to the west of Halifax.

The church was closed for a time around the turn of the 16th Century due to the murder of a priest, it was said he had performed an illicit marriage ceremony. The church underwent renovations in the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, and a new clock was installed in 1810. This was moved to the new church.

The church was damaged by a storm in 1847 which tore off the roof, damaged the tower and caused considerable damage to the churchyard. The church rate, a tax payable by all parishioners to support the parish church was insufficient to repair the damage. A new church was built in the same churchyard funded by voluntary subscription and this opened in 1854.

The church ruins still stand to this day and occasionally outdoor services are conducted in the remains of the St Thomas a' Becket. I took these pictures on the 19th November 2016 with a Nikon d3300, they can also be seen un-watermarked and higher resolution on Clickasnap. Click any image and a link will open in another window.

Clicking any image will open a ink in another window to the un-watermarked, higher resolution version on Clickasnap.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

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.