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Sunday 31 October 2010

Another bridge


Since I noted a week or two ago that I didn't have many photos of bridges I seem to have been snapping nothing but bridges!  This is one of my favourites - Beckfoot Bridge.  It's local to where I used to live in Bingley and it was a much-loved and often enjoyed stroll down to the ford and old stone bridge over Harden Beck.

It is a packhorse bridge, just wide enough for one horse or a pedestrian.  Built in 1723 by two local masons at a cost of £10, it replaced an earlier wooden bridge.  The road is an ancient forest trail that developed into a bridle way and packhorse route from Bingley along the Aire Valley.  Beside it is an old farmhouse that once belonged to the Knights Templar.  When I was there the other day the house was shrouded in scaffolding, having roof repairs, so I didn't take a photo - I'll go back another day.

It's a fairly quiet spot now - but I have seen several cars stranded in the middle of the ford, which is much deeper than it looks.  Some sat-navs apparently direct people along this road and some idiots obviously leave their reasoning faculties at home and drive along, ignoring the signs that say 'Unsuitable for Motors'.  The man who lives in the farmhouse has a pair of thigh-high waders, as it is a fairly regular occurrence that he has to rescue people from the beck!

For more Sunday bridges, please visit Louis La Vache's blog.

May I also say a huge thank you to those people who responded to my 'big ask' yesterday for votes for the Photography Competition I've entered.  What lovely, encouraging people you are.  I'll let you know what happens....  If you missed it, please go back and have a look.


20 comments:

  1. Beautiful bridge. It's amazing that its arch has withstood the ravishes of time.

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  2. It's a lovely bridge!
    Have a great Sunday:)

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  3. this bridge looks interesting with its picket fence style railing!

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  4. Cost of £10! :) Guess it was a lot of money then!

    ps. Congrats on your success in the competition. All the best, Ev

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  5. Lovely bridge! I missed your yesterday post -- going there now!

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  6. i love this quaint stone bridge. what a wonderful place you live in. have a fun Halloween!

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  7. Very interesting post with so lovely peaceful landscape and beautiful bridge!
    Have a nice Sunday
    Léia

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  8. It is very pretty. You are up against some good photos in the competition; I looked at all of the the thumbnails and enlarged quite a few of them. Your mills hold up well though, and they have my vote. Best wishes!

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  9. £ 10 was a lot of money. Just lovely setting!

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  10. No wonder why this is one of your favourites, it's beautiful!

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  11. What a great capture!
    Beautiful bridge!
    Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

    B xx

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  12. Looks like a lovely spot. Some people just switch on their sat-navs and stop thinking. Or perhaps they just don't think éver. I'll be checking out the Photography competition post.

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  13. That's a lovely bridge, just the kind I like to discover on a walk. I once was in a van that got stuck in a river... but that's another story... ;-)

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  14. Bridges always have great history and this one seems no different. There are similar problem with the Ford at Stanhope in Weardale which saves up to half a mile petrol but not the car as it is featured occasionally on the local news for the wrong reasons !!

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  15. i like this simple rustic bridge. Nice to see it preserved.

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  16. This is a lovely little bridge! So cute.

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  17. So nice and rustic! Hugs from Luzia.

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  18. It's hard to imagine how people could end up in that water with their car! That's an awesome looking bridge. ~Lili

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