The Grandeur of Todmorden Town Hall's Frontage. January 2024

As you approach Todmorden, nestled amidst the Pennine Hills, a majestic sight unfolds: the imposing frontage of the town hall. More than just a grand building, it's a symbol of civic pride, rich history, and a vibrant present.

The frontage, spanning an impressive 53 feet, is a visual delight. Constructed in the Italianate style, it boasts a symmetrical design with towering columns, arched windows, and intricate stonework. The town hall opened on the 3rd April 1875, at a cost of £54,000. The original plans for the hall were conceived a couple of decades earlier, when architect James Green was charged with building a town hall for the town of Todmorden. Legal and financial problems saw this work grind to a halt by the mid-1860s. The Fielden family, a local owner of many of the town's cotton mills, purchased the site and took financial responsibility for completing the hall. 

Look closer at the frontage, and you'll discover the symbolic language whispered in the stone. The pediment features two allegorical figures, representing Lancashire and Yorkshire, united by industry and prosperity. The friezes below depict scenes of cotton spinning and engineering, reflecting the town's heritage. The hall was built atop Walsden Water, the historic boundary of Lancashire and Yorkshire, to unite the town populace. 

The frontage isn't just aesthetically pleasing; it's a window into the town's soul. Imagine grand balls held in the opulent ballroom, the echo of justice served in the former magistrate's court, and the countless community events that have brought laughter and life to these walls. Every scratch, every detail, whispers untold stories of the people who have walked these steps and made Todmorden what it is today.

The pictures below were taken on the 6th January 2024 with a Nikon d3300, they can also be seen on Clickasnap by clicking any of them(opens in another window).

The pictures can also be purchased from Photo4me.

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Stoodley Pike November 2016

Towering over the Calder Valley, Stoodley Pike is more than just a hill overlooking the town of Todmorden, West Yorkshire; it's a monument; it's a beacon, a challenge, and a gateway to breathtaking panoramas. I embarked on my own Stoodley Pike adventure, and let me tell you, it was an experience in stunning vistas.

There are several routes to the summit, each offering its own unique charm. I opted for the Shaw Wood Road trail, starting from the A646 Burnley Road. The trail leaves Burnley Road almost immediately, crossing over the Rochdale Canal alongside Lock No. 15 Shawplains. The road winds through woodlands before reaching a housing estate at Lee Bottom Road, which runs eastward, offering glimpses of the imposing Pike as you ascend. Be prepared for a good workout, as the trail steadily gains elevation.

Finally, after conquering the final incline, the reward arrives. The 39-step spiral staircase beckons, leading you up another 40 feet to the balcony of the monument. Remember, a torch is recommended, as the narrow passage plunges into darkness, despite a grill that is meant to offer a light source.

The views from the top are nothing short of magnificent. The hill, at a height of 1300 feet, shows rolling fields in every direction, dotted with villages, reservoirs, and the distant Pennine peaks. On a clear day, you can even see Manchester and the Irish Sea! Take a deep breath, soak it all in, and feel the sense of accomplishment wash over you.

But Stoodley Pike is more than just a scenic overlook. It's steeped in history, dating back to the Iron Age. Explore the monument's intriguing inscriptions and weathered stones, whispering tales of the past. A monument was originally built to commemorate the Napoleonic Wars and then rebuilt to remember the Crimean War.

The monument features the following faded inscription above the north facing door:

STOODLEY PIKE

A BEACON MONUMENT

ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION

COMMENCED IN 1814 TO COMMEMORATE

THE SURRENDER OF PARIS TO THE ALLIES

AND FINISHED AFTER THE BATTLE OF

WATERLOO WHEN PEACE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1815.

BY A STRANGE COINCIDENCE

THE PIKE FELL ON THE DAY THE RUSSIAN

AMBASSADOR LEFT LONDON BEFORE THE

DECLARATION OF WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854.

WAS REBUILT WHEN PEACE WAS RESTORED IN

1856.

RESTORED AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR FIXED IN

1889.

 

The pictures below were taken on the 19th November 2016 with a Nikon D3300; they can be seen un-watermarked on my Clickasnap portfolio. Click any image to view it there.

The path up to Stoodley Pike, the monument visible at the summit.

I think the snow clinging to the side of the structure gives the monument a completely different feel to its usual look.

The Calder Valley and beyond towards Lancashire, taken from the base of the monument.

Looking west away from the monument, I have always liked this picture as it's gives the impression the clouds will shortly fall over the edge of the hill.

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Vintage Rochdale Canal Images.

The pictures below were taken on the Rochdale Canal between Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd in November 2013. I've edited them to give the impression of a vintage photograph with vignette and noise added to increase the effect.

They were taken using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on November 2nd 2013, they can also be seen on Clickasnap un-watermarked and higher resolution.

Lock 7 Broad Bottom can be found on the canal near the point where Burnley Road crossers over the canal, a short distance from what was once the site of Walkley Clogs. The lock is Grade II listed having been given this status on the 21st June 1984.

Mayroyd Moorings, Hebden Bridge pictured from Station Road Bridge.

Broad Bottom Lane Bridge pictured from Broad Bottom Lock 7, Mytholmroyd.

Bridge 12, Westfield Terrace Bridge, the canal had been drained for a stretch here, I can not remember why and for how far it stretched.

Mayroyd Bridge near the moorings at Hebden Bridge.

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Heptonstall's 2 Church Yard

The village of Heptonstall boasts a unique claim to fame: two churches, both dedicated to St Thomas, stand intertwined in a single churchyard. Today, we delve into the intriguing history of these two, the Church of St Thomas a Becket and it's replacement, the Church of St Thomas the Apostle.

The Church of St Thomas a Becket.

Built between 1256 and 1260, the church witnessed centuries of life in the village. Its sturdy walls echoed with prayers, celebrations, and quiet moments of contemplation. Additions and alterations over time gave it a distinctive character, boasting two naves, aisles, chantry chapels, and a towering presence.

Fate, however, intervened in 1847 when a fierce storm ripped through the church, damaging it beyond repair. The community eventually embraced a new chapter. By 1854, a new church, St Thomas the Apostle, rose nearby, leaving the older structure to stand as a poignant reminder of what was.

Today, the ruins of St Thomas a Becket, carefully maintained and open to the public, offer a glimpse into the past. Crumbling arches frame the sky, weathered stones whisper tales of bygone days, and the silence holds a unique resonance. Occasionally, open-air services breathe life into these historical vestiges, creating a link between the past and present.

But the story of St Thomas a Becket extends beyond the physical structure. It's woven into the fabric of Heptonstall, intertwined with the lives of its residents and visitors. For some, it's a place of quiet reflection; for others, it's a source of historical intrigue; and for many, a symbol of the village's resilience and evolving identity.

The church of St Thomas the Apostle

Rising beside it stands the current church, completed in 1854. Its Victorian Gothic architecture exudes a sense of grandeur, boasting stained-glass windows that bathe the interior in a kaleidoscope of light. Each intricately designed panel tells a story, inviting contemplation and reflection.

Beyond its physical beauty, St. Thomas holds a special place in the hearts of the Heptonstall community. Regular services provide a space for spiritual sustenance and connection, while events like the Pennine Spring Music Festival fill the air with vibrant melodies.

But the church's reach extends further. The churchyard, too, plays a significant role, serving as the final resting place for notable figures like the poet Sylvia Plath and the Notoriuos "king" David Hartley, leader of the Cragg Vale Coiners, adding another layer to the rich tapestry of stories woven around the church.

I took these pictures on July 11, 2020, with a Nikon D3300.

The Parish Church of St Thomas the Apostle. The graveyard which surrounds both churches is said to hold the remains of over 100000. This burial ground was closed to new interments in 1915 and a new one opened nearby on land gifted by Gamaliel Sutcliffe.

The remains of the Parish Church of St Thomas a Becket.

The new church pictured from the doorway of the old church.

The pinnacle struck by lightening in 1875, stands outside the church as a monument to the night it fell from the tower.

Clicking any image should open a link to the un-watermarked, higher resolution version available on Clickasnap. Some of these pictures can also be purchased on Photo4Me and Zazzle on posters, canvasses and a number of other products.

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Water Street and The Golden Lion, Todmorden

These 2 pictures were a couple of random ones I took on Saturday 6th January 2024, I'd caught the train to Todmorden with a view to walking the Rochdale Canal to Sowerby Bridge and captured these 2 images shortly after reaching Todmorden.

The Picture shows Water Street a thoroughfare thats runs away from the Town Hall Building. The street is lined by shops on one side and a tributary of the River Calder on the opposite. Past names of the road have included Pall Mall and Old Shop Lane.

The Golden Lion pictured from the Rochdale Canal. The pub is amongst the oldest buildings in the town centre, it's original construction being in 1770 as a coaching inn as a new turnpike connecting Manchester with Halifax had recently opened. The Golden Lion has been the scene of many prominent town meetings included the ones that saw the decisions to build the Town Hall and the monument at Stoodley Pike. It has also be used for town inquests and was the post office for a time.

The higher resolution, un-watermarked versions can be seen on Clickasnap by clicking the image. These can also be purchased at Photo4Me.

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Rochdale Canal, Rose Grove Bridge 3 to Bridge 1a

The Rochdale Canal Rose Grove Bridge (3) to Tower Hill Bridge (1A) is an approximately 1-mile-long flat section of the waterway. Along this stretch, you'll pass Rose Grove Bridge and Hollins Tunnel, also sometimes known as Cemetery Tunnel. I have no idea why it is known as this, as Sowerby Bridge Cemetery is on the opposite hillside. After the tunnel, the canal curves towards Sowerby Bridge, passing under the Co-Op Bridge and Tower Hill Bridge.

After the closure of the Rochdale Canal in 1952, the canal came to an abrupt end just before reaching Tower Hill Bridge and was infilled through to the modern-day exit of Tuel Lane Tunnel adjacent to Lock Number 2.

These pictures were taken on the 10th April 2022 with a Nikon D3300, they can be seen below and on Clickasnap un-watermarked. Simply click any image to see the Clickasnap version in another window.

These two pictures show both sides of Bridge 3 High Royd.

These two pictures show the stretch of Canal towpath between Rose Grove, High Royd Bridge and Hollins Tunnel.

Inside Hollins Tunnel.

Hollins Tunnel entrance on the Sowerby Bridge side.

The canal curbing towards Sowerby Bridge, the Co-Op bridge visible crossing over the canal. The bridge provides acces to Hollins Mill Lane from the Industrial Road area of Sowerby Bridge, but does not give any access to the canal.

The canal underneath Bridge 1A. In 1952 the canal was infilled from just beyond the arch, the bridge was also known as Tuel Lane Bridge until the road that crossed over it was rerouted and then it was changed to Tower Hill Bridge. The tower block is Ladstone Towers, built when large areas of low quality housing around the area was demolished in the mid 1960's.

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Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale

Devil's Bridge was once the main road crossing over the River Lune but has been closed to traffic since 1932. It is thought to date from 1370 and was built by the monks of St. Mary's Abbey, York. The bridge used to be popular for tombstoning, with the deep pools underneath the main arch allowing people to jump without much threat of injury. This was outlawed a few years ago, but the bridge is still popular in the summer months as a destination for bikers riding up through the Yorkshire Dales. It was replaced as the main crossing over the river by the nearby Stanley Bridge. The bridge is Grade I listed.

 

Legend says that the Devil built the bridge in exchange for the first soul to cross after completion. A woman threw bread across for her dog to chase, so that the devil felt tricked as the dog was the first soul to cross the completed bridge.

 

The pictures were taken on April 4, 2015, using a Polaroid IS2132 bridge camera. They have previously been posted but the ones below were reworked recently for my Zazzle Store and Photo4Me wall art portfolio. They can also be seen on my Clickasnap account via the link in the side panel.

Clicking the image will open a link in another window to my Kirkby Lonsdale collection on Zazzle, the image can be transferred to a number of different products to the ones already offered, including wall art, furnishings, cups, watches, clocks, phone and tablet cases. Please take a moment to have a look.

Clicking this image above and below should open a link in another window to the Photo4Me listing for each picture..

All 4 images can be purchased on various products of your choosing from my Zazzle store, the middle 2 images can also be purchased as wall art from Photo4me.

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Fiery Sky at the Ruins of the Church of St Thomas a Becket, Heptonstall

The picture below is the result of a little tinkering with replacing a washed-out overcast sky in a picture I took in November 2013 with a more adventurous sunset-type sky.

The picture shows the inside of the ruined church of St. Thomas a Becket, Heptonstall, a church built on the site of an earlier one in the 15th century. The church was damaged beyond repair in the 19th century and replaced by the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, which occupies the same grounds as its predecessor.

I took the original pre-edited version of the picture on November 16, 2016 with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet; it can be seen un-watermarked on Clickasnap by clicking the image. The link opens in another window.

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The Ribblehead Viaduct - Photo4me

The Ribblehead Viaduct is a set of pictures taken in April 2015 using a Polaroid IS2132 digital bridge camera. The impressive structure is somewhere I had wanted to visit for a while, and I was in nearby Kirkby Lonsdale when I got the chance. The viaduct is also known as Batty Moss, and it is located approximately 13 miles north of Settle and 73 miles south of Carlisle on the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway. There is the Ribblehead Railway Station adjacent to the viaduct, which is a train ride of approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes from Leeds Railway Station, and the B6255 road linking Hawes with Ingleton passes the viaduct.

The pictures below are a set I have recently re-edited for inclusion in my Photo4Me portfolio. Clicking any image will open a link to the listing in another window.

All the pictures can be purchased on Photo4Me or just enjoyed her and on my Clickasnap profile, They will shortly be offered in various products at my Colins Picture This Zazzle store.

The history of the viaduct below is taken from my earlier post on the Ribblehead Viaduct.

The viaduct was designed by engineer John Sydney Crossley. The first stone was laid on October 12, 1870, and the last in 1874. One thousand navvies built the viaduct and established shanty towns on the moors for themselves and their families. They named the towns after Crimean War victories, well-to-do districts of London, and biblical names. There were smallpox epidemics and deaths from industrial accidents. Around one hundred navvies were killed during its construction. There are around 200 burials of men, women, and children in the graveyard at Chapel-le-Dale dating from the time of its construction. The church has a memorial to the railway workers.

The line over the bridge was opened to goods traffic on August 3, 1875, but passenger trains did not commence running until May 1, 1876, following approval of the works by Colonel F. H. Rich, an inspecting officer of the Board of Trade.

In 1964, several brand new Humber cars landed on the ground after being blown off their waggons while being carried over the viaduct on a freight train.

 

Ribblehead Viaduct is 440 yards (400 m) long and 104 feet (32 m) above the valley floor at its highest point. It is made up of twenty-four arches of 45 feet (14 m) span, with foundations 25 feet (7.6 m) deep. Every sixth pier is 50% thicker to mitigate against complete collapse should any pier fail. The north end of the viaduct is 13 feet (4.0 m) higher in elevation than the south end, leading to a gradient of 1:100. 1.5 million bricks were used in the construction, and some of the limestone blocks weigh 8 tonnes each.

 

Ribblehead Viaduct is the longest on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. Ribblehead railway station is less than half a mile to the south, and to the north is the Blea Moor Tunnel, the longest tunnel on the line. It is near the foot of Whernside.

The Settle-Carlisle Line is one of three north-south main lines, along with the West Coast Main Line through Penrith and the East Coast Main Line via Newcastle. British Rail attempted to close the line in the 1980s, citing the fact that the viaduct was unsafe and would be expensive to repair. A partial solution was to single the line across the viaduct in 1985, preventing two trains from crossing simultaneously. A 30 mph speed limit is also in force. The closure proposals generated tremendous protests and were eventually retracted. The viaduct, along with the rest of the line, was repaired and maintained, and there are no longer any plans to close it.

Two taller viaducts on the route are Smardale Viaduct at 131 feet (40 m) high and near Crosby Garrett, and Arten Gill at 117 feet (36 m).

 

In 2016, the line and viaduct carried seven passenger trains from Leeds to Carlisle per day in each direction, plus periodic long-distance excursions, many hauled by steam locomotives. Regular diesel-hauled heavy freight trains also use the route to help reduce congestion on the West Coast Main Line. Colas Rail operates a timber train most Friday afternoons, which passes over the Viaduct when it departs its yard opposite Ribblehead railway station. The combination of the rarely seen timber train and the British Rail Class 56 locomotives used to pull the train has built quite an enthusiastic following. Another regular traffic flow to use it is the limestone aggregate train from Arcow quarry sidings (near Horton-in-Ribblesdale), which runs to various stone terminals in the Leeds and Manchester areas on different days. This has to be reversed in the goods loop at Blea Moor signal box (north of the viaduct) because the connection from the quarry sidings to the main line faces north.

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