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Luddendenfoot or Luddenden Foot is a community in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England. The population of Luddendenfoot is 2,547, with the wider Calderdale Ward at the 2011 Census as 10,653. It lies along the Upper Calder Valley below the village of Luddenden, between Sowerby Bridge and Mytholmroyd Wikipedia
Along the towpath of the Rochdale Canal (which is 32 miles in total, between Manchester and Sowerby Bridge UK)
The Rochdale Canal is in Northern England, between Manchester and Sowerby Bridge, part of the connected system of the canals of Great Britain. Its name refers to the town of Rochdale through which it passes. The Rochdale is a broad canal because its locks are wide enough to allow vessels of 14 feet width. Wikipedia
The canal is 32 miles long and was used for the transportation of goods between Manchester and Sowerby Bridge before the birth of the Railways in the 1840's.
(Taken at Lock 50, Oldham Road)
One of the bridges along the Rochdale Canal looking towards Sowerby Bridge Westyorkshire. Taken on a walk from Luddenden to Sowerby Bridge, it was darker than the photo implies.
View from Norland moor - hills between Sowerby Bridge & Ripponden, on a beautiful (and unusually for Yorkshire !) under a clear blue sky !
The 32 miles of the Rochdale Canal cross the rugged heights of the Pennines from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge. The steep climb means 91 locks and an exhausting but exhilarating journey with stunning views.
Sowerby Bridge (Happy Valley) from Norland Moor in Calderdale , West Yorkshire.
(Brighouse Echo 5/10/2023)
Cruising around the reverse curves at Sowerby Bridge station is GBRf 'Tug' 60026 'Helvellyn' hauling the 9.54am Drax Power Station - Liverpool Biomass Terminal (6M36).
The stop-off here was unplanned and prompted by my late running train to Hebden Bridge, which would likely clash with an early running Preston - Lindsey tanks (6E32) - the target for the day. So I jumped off here to ensure I got a shot in the bag. As it happened the image of the class 70 on 6E32 wasn't what I hoped for but luckily this one, helpfully heading west to take advantage of the curves, proved a more appealing option.
The station may not be Victorian vintage but retro enough to still be interesting - Tri-ang model railway canopies from the 1960s spring to mind. The prominent structure top left is the Wainhouse Tower in Halifax - built between 1871-1875 it's listed as the tallest folly in the world at 275 feet (84m) high. For more on the fascinating story behind it.... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wainhouse_Tower
Meteorologically speaking it might be the first day of winter, but the autumn leaves were still putting on a decent display. Overall, a score-draw I think.
11.44am, 1st December 2022
Jack O The Locks Statue Canal Wharf Sowerby Bridge ... statue of Richard Tiffany, Sowerby Bridge's town lock keeper when the Rochdale Canal was still being used commercially. The figure is life-size and is depicted in the act of pushing backwards against a lock gate arm, with a lock key in his hand.
Ripponden
The woodland on the opposite side of the valley is called Highlee Wood, prior to it’s closure in 1959 the Sowerby Bridge to Ripponden branch railway ran through the lower reaches of the wooded area. The photo is the comment box below was taken just as the new leaves were out on the trees. This one taken yesterday, from a similar position, shows those leaves now just starting to turn into their autumn colours before they all fall to the ground.
I’ll be back in winter with another photo.
Thank you for your visit and your comments, they are greatly appreciated.
The Rochdale Canal, in Luddendenfoot a town located close to Hebden Bridge, Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
It is a broad canal because its locks are wide enough to allow vessels of 14 feet width. The canal runs for 32 miles across the Pennines from the Bridgewater Canal at Castlefield Basin in Manchester to join the Calder and Hebble Navigation at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire.
The Canal was conceived in 1776, when a group of 48 men from Rochdale raised £237 and commissioned James Brindley to conduct a survey of possible routes between Sowerby Bridge and Manchester.
The promoters, unsure as to whether to build a wide or a narrow canal, postponed the decision until an Act of Parliament had been obtained. The first two attempts to obtain an act failed after being opposed by mill owners, concerned about water supply. The promoters, to understand the mill owners' position, asked William Jessop to survey the parts of the proposed canal that were causing most concern. Jessop gave evidence to the Parliamentary committee, and in 1794 an act was obtained which created the Rochdale Canal Company and its construction.
When an Act of Parliament was sought in 1965, to authorise the abandonment of the canal, the Inland Waterways Association petitioned against it, and when it was finally passed, it contained a clause that ensured the owners would maintain it until the adjacent Ashton Canal was abandoned. Discussion of the relative merits of restoring the canal or the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in 1973 led the formation of societies to promote both schemes in 1974.
The Rochdale Canal Society wanted to see the canal fully re-opened, as part of a proposed Pennine Park. They worked hard both to protect the line of the canal and to begin the process of refurbishing it. A new organisational structure was created in 1984, with the formation of the Rochdale Canal Trust.
In 1997, the Rochdale Canal Trust was restructured, in response to announcements that there might be large grants available as part of the millennium celebrations. The canal was still at this point owned by a private company, and the Millennium Commission would not make grants to a scheme which was for private profit, rather than public benefit. The restructuring would allow the Trust to take over responsibility for the canal. However, the plan was rejected by the Commission, and to access the grant of £11.3 million, the Waterways Trust took over ownership of the canal.
Information Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Canalhttps://en.wikipedia....
Sowerby Bridge
Taken with my iPhone as it’s all I had with me, I had to drop my elderly mother off for a medical appointment, I wasn’t allowed in the waiting room so rather than sit in the car, I took my chances with the changeable weather and went for a walk beside the Calder and Hebble Navigation. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so quiet here, all the red barges which belong to Shire Cruisers are normally all out with holiday makers at this time of year, every one of them is moored up. All the old mill buildings are now home to bars, cafes, restaurants, shops and a gym, usually full of people eating both inside and outdoors (even in this weather) Not a door was open, everywhere still locked up, a couple of places did have posters outside saying you could ring and order food to be delivered but that was all. Other than a couple of people who live on the privately owned barges there was no one else around.
Thank you for your visit and your comments, they are greatly appreciated.
On the way back from Sowerby Bridge to Luddenden along the Rochdale Canal. Two "apparently" abandoned canal boats by some old buildings.
Rochdale Canal, near Walsden...
The Rochdale Canal runs for 33 miles between Sowerby Bridge in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, all the way to Manchester. It runs through the Upper Calder Valley passing Luddendenfoot, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Walsden. (Visit Calderdale)
The Rochdale Canal in Hebden Bridge, Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
The Rochdale is a broad canal because its locks are wide enough to allow vessels of 14 feet width. The canal runs for 32 miles across the Pennines from the Bridgewater Canal at Castlefield Basin in Manchester to join the Calder and Hebble Navigation at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire.
The Rochdale Canal was conceived in 1776, when a group of 48 men from Rochdale raised £237 and commissioned James Brindley to conduct a survey of possible routes between Sowerby Bridge and Manchester.
The promoters, unsure as to whether to build a wide or a narrow canal, postponed the decision until an Act of Parliament had been obtained. The first two attempts to obtain an act failed after being opposed by mill owners, concerned about water supply. The promoters, to understand the mill owners' position, asked William Jessop to survey the parts of the proposed canal that were causing most concern. Jessop gave evidence to the Parliamentary committee, and in 1794 an act was obtained which created the Rochdale Canal Company and its construction. Rennie's estimated cost in the second bill was £291,000, and the company was empowered to raise the money by issuing shares, with powers to raise a further £100,000 if required.
When an Act of Parliament was sought in 1965, to authorise the abandonment of the canal, the Inland Waterways Association petitioned against it, and when it was finally passed, it contained a clause that ensured the owners would maintain it until the adjacent Ashton Canal was abandoned. Discussion of the relative merits of restoring the canal or the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in 1973 led the formation of societies to promote both schemes in 1974.
The Rochdale Canal Society wanted to see the canal fully re-opened, as part of a proposed Pennine Park. They worked hard both to protect the line of the canal and to begin the process of refurbishing it. A new organisational structure was created in 1984, with the formation of the Rochdale Canal Trust.
In 1997, the Rochdale Canal Trust was restructured, in response to announcements that there might be large grants available as part of the millennium celebrations. The canal was still at this point owned by a private company, and the Millennium Commission would not make grants to a scheme which was for private profit, rather than public benefit. The restructuring would allow the Trust to take over responsibility for the canal. However, the plan was rejected by the Commission, and to access the grant of £11.3 million, the Waterways Trust took over ownership of the canal.
Information Source:
Ripponden
We walk this section of the Calderdale Way quite often and see it in all four seasons. We noticed on this occasion that some of the leaves in the woods are starting to change their colour. I expect this will be the last time this year that we see this view in all its green finery. Soon we will have the many autumnal shades to look at and admire.
Although they appear to merge into one there are in fact three woods on the opposite side of the valley, from left to right there is Longley Wood, then Butterworth End Wood and lastly Highlee Wood. On my side of the valley is Kebroyd Wood. It’s not visible from here because of the trees, but there is a main road running along the valley bottom connecting the small town of Sowerby Bridge to the village of Ripponden and beyond.
Thank you for your visit and your comments, they are greatly appreciated.
The Rochdale Canal in Hebden Bridge, Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
It is a broad canal because its locks are wide enough to allow vessels of 14 feet width. The canal runs for 32 miles across the Pennines from the Bridgewater Canal at Castlefield Basin in Manchester to join the Calder and Hebble Navigation at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire.
The Canal was conceived in 1776, when a group of 48 men from Rochdale raised £237 and commissioned James Brindley to conduct a survey of possible routes between Sowerby Bridge and Manchester.
The promoters, unsure as to whether to build a wide or a narrow canal, postponed the decision until an Act of Parliament had been obtained. The first two attempts to obtain an act failed after being opposed by mill owners, concerned about water supply. The promoters, to understand the mill owners' position, asked William Jessop to survey the parts of the proposed canal that were causing most concern. Jessop gave evidence to the Parliamentary committee, and in 1794 an act was obtained which created the Rochdale Canal Company and its construction.
When an Act of Parliament was sought in 1965, to authorise the abandonment of the canal, the Inland Waterways Association petitioned against it, and when it was finally passed, it contained a clause that ensured the owners would maintain it until the adjacent Ashton Canal was abandoned. Discussion of the relative merits of restoring the canal or the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in 1973 led the formation of societies to promote both schemes in 1974.
The Rochdale Canal Society wanted to see the canal fully re-opened, as part of a proposed Pennine Park. They worked hard both to protect the line of the canal and to begin the process of refurbishing it. A new organisational structure was created in 1984, with the formation of the Rochdale Canal Trust.
In 1997, the Rochdale Canal Trust was restructured, in response to announcements that there might be large grants available as part of the millennium celebrations. The canal was still at this point owned by a private company, and the Millennium Commission would not make grants to a scheme which was for private profit, rather than public benefit. The restructuring would allow the Trust to take over responsibility for the canal. However, the plan was rejected by the Commission, and to access the grant of £11.3 million, the Waterways Trust took over ownership of the canal.
Information Source:
The Calder and Hebble Navigation, a canal in Halifax, Calderdale, West Yorkshire.
By the beginning of the 18th century, the Aire and Calder Navigation had made the River Calder navigable as far upstream as Wakefield. The aim of the Calder and Hebble Navigation was to extend navigation west (upstream) from Wakefield to Sowerby Bridge near Halifax.
The first attempt to obtain an Act of Parliament was made in 1740, as a result of a petition by the people of Halifax, Ripponden and Elland. John Eyes of Liverpool surveyed the route, and presented a scheme for a navigation which would use the River Calder from Wakefield to its junction with the River Hebble, follow the Hebble to Salterhebble Bridge, and then follow the Halifax Brook to reach Halifax. The bill was defeated, due to opposition from local landowners who feared that it would cause flooding, from millers, who thought that navigation would disrupt their water supply, and from the promoters of several Turnpike Bills, who were intending to build roads which would follow a similar route.
The second attempt followed a meeting of the Union Club in Halifax on 2 September 1756, which considered how to improve the import of wool and corn to the town. They invited the civil engineer John Smeaton to make a new survey, which he did in late 1757. An Act was obtained on 9 June 1758, for this extended route, and created Commissioners, who must own an estate valued at more than £100, or have a personal fortune of more than £3,000.
Construction started in November 1759, with Smeaton acting as engineer. By November 1764, the navigation was open as far as Brighouse, some 16 miles (26 km) from Wakefield. Having borrowed £56,000, factions arose within the Commissioners, with some wanting to stop at Brooksmouth, where the Rivers Hebble and Calder meet, and others wanting to raise more money and complete the scheme. The second option gained most support, and a new committee was set up, who asked James Brindley to take over from Smeaton in 1765. The work was just complete when a further flood caused so much damage that the only option was to close the navigation again.
The Commissioners felt unable to borrow more money, and so a second Act of Parliament was obtained on 21 April 1769, which formally created the Company of Proprietors of the Calder and Hebble Navigation. This consisted of all of the 81 people who had loaned money to the original scheme, and these loans were converted into £100 shares. Additional shares could be issued, and the Company could borrow up to £20,000, with the future tolls used as security.
The Navigation prospered, with dividends rising steadily from 5 per cent in 1771 to 13 per cent in 1792. Under the terms of the Act of Parliament, tolls were reduced when the dividend exceeded 10 per cent, and the first such reduction occurred in 1791.
In 1798 a long cut at Thornhill was made, bypassing the town of Dewsbury. Trade with the town was maintained by the construction of a new branch from Thornhill to Dewsbury. Another stimulus to trade was provided by the Rochdale Canal, which opened up a through route from Sowerby Bridge to Manchester from 1804.
The Manchester and Leeds Railway company, which had approached the Calder and Hebble in 1836, but had been rebuffed, opened their line between 1839 and 1841. It followed the line of the canal and that of the Rochdale Canal. A year later, with canal shares having lost 66 per cent of their value, the canal company approached the railway, who agreed to lease the canal for £40,000 per year for 14 years, commencing on 25 March 1843. The Aire and Calder Navigation objected to the lease, and in April 1847, the Attorney General and the Solicitor General ruled that it was illegal, and must cease. Soon afterwaards, the Aire and Calder offered to lease the canal itself, and the agreement started in September. After the Aire and Calder's lease expired in 1885, the Navigation Company again took charge, rebuilt many of the bridges, and established the Calder Carrying Company. Shareholders continued to receive dividends until the canal was nationalized in 1948, and the canal was used by commercial traffic until 1981.
Information Source:
18.01.25 Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, UK. Stone cottages and a bridge on the Rochdale canal near to Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire
Ripponden
A view across the Ryburn Valley, the road and river are somewhere down there in the valley, which is quickly becoming obscured by the new leaf growth on the trees. The woodland on the opposite side of the valley is called Highlee Wood, prior to it’s closure in 1959 the Sowerby Bridge to Ripponden branch railway ran through the lower reaches of the wooded area.
Thank you for your visit and your comments, they are greatly appreciated.