Getting bored with the most familiar local routes, I decided to strike out a little further afield one day and had a walk around Beckfoot, near Bingley. It's quite possibly the most picturesque spot in the area, nestled in the valley of Harden Beck. There is a ford across the stream, a relic of the days when this track was a packhorse route from Bingley down the Aire valley. The packhorse bridge dates back to 1723, constructed to replace an earlier wooden bridge. It is a listed structure and I found the following account:
The Parish Constable's Account for
January 7, 1723 records the payment of £10 to Benja. Craven and
Josa Scott, masons " for building a Stone Bridge ovr Howden Beck at
Beckfoot. In consideracon whereof ye said Benja. Craven and Joshua
Scott doe hereby promise joyfully and severally to uphold and keep
the sd Bridge in good and sufficient repair during the terme of seavenyears from the day hereof, as witness our hands the day and year above sd".
I do hope they did joyfully maintain it! (Though I do wonder if it's simply a misreading of the ancient writing in the legal documents. Surely it should be 'jointly and severally'?)
The stream can get quite high and dangerous after rain and the ford isn't to be recommended. I've seen cars stranded there. There are some old cottages and farm buildings with links to the Knights Templar alongside the bridge.
It is, as I say, an attractive spot and my new-found capability with the panorama setting on my phone gives an interesting (though oddly disproportionate) view:
I wonder whether the said Benja, Craven and Joshua left their distinctive stonemasons mark on the keystone of this fine bridge. It would enable other bridges which they built to be identified.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! Your phone (and of course your eye) do a great job.
ReplyDeleteVery picturesque spot, your phone photo makes it look like a magical fairy tale place.
ReplyDeleteLovely bridge, documentation of joyful stone masons is great! And I love trying pano shots too! This one is really beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe first pic is so gorgeous, Jenny! What a lovely spot!
ReplyDeleteThat pano shot worked well, Jenny, and I also have difficulty in getting them. What a picturesque walk and the info on the bridge was quite interesting as well.
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