The original, narrow packhorse bridge spanning Hebden Water, dating back to the 1500s, still stands in Hebden Bridge town centre. Packhorses used to have to make the arduous journey to and from the weaving village of Heptonstall high on the hill top, taking cloth to the market in Halifax.
A little further up Hebden Water is a newer road bridge, with attractive views up and down stream.
After our dry spring, the water is very low and it all looks quite innocuous. The town sits at the junction of Hebden Water with the River Calder, its watery geography further complicated by the Rochdale Canal that runs through town alongside the Calder. When it rains the rivers rise quickly, fed by run off from the high moorland all around. There have been several devastating floods, notably in 2015. Locals anxiously watch the rising of the water up the curved steps by the old bridge (see my second photo) as they give a quick indication of how bad things are getting!
Such a pleasant place today, but what must it have been like in its industrial heyday with a great chimney belching smoke in the middle of town?
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about how industrial and victorian it all still looks, like it's a moment in time.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos and description.
ReplyDeleteAmazing a bridge still in use from 1500. Good photos, the duck is a nice addition.
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous! No wonder this is such a tourist area.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I will try the new blogger again and see if I can get it to work. I hate change like this.
Lovely and calm water for these photos...I imagine storms can certainly change it. Cool to focus on a pigeon and have a dog "photo-bomb" your shot of the steps.
ReplyDeleteOh, those brifges! And such artistry in those urved steps.
ReplyDeleteThe pigeon appears to have complete confidence in the water level at present. But then, anyone would.
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