Through the Green Arch: St Mary the Virgin Church, Elland

Location: St Mary the Virgin, Elland Date: 8th August 2018 Camera: Nikon d3300

 There’s a particular kind of thrill in discovering a grand, historic building framed so dramatically by nature. This photograph captures St Mary the Virgin Church in Elland from below, looking up the dark stone steps and through a beautiful archway of green leaves.

It’s an angle that immediately conveys the church’s impressive scale and its long, deep connection to the local landscape.

St Mary the Virgin Church, Elland

A Church of Immense History

St Mary the Virgin is one of Calderdale's most historically significant buildings. The history here goes back centuries:

• Ancient Origins: Though much of the building you see today dates from the 13th and 14th centuries, the church's foundations are much older. Stones in the chancel arch have been dated back to around 1170 to 1180.

• A Landmark: Local legend suggests the original church was built in 1180 by Henry de Eland, who wanted to save the people of Elland the long journey to worship in Halifax.

• Grade I Status: The church is officially recognised as a Grade I listed building, underscoring its exceptional historical and architectural importance to the nation.

Architectural Details in Shadow

The image highlights the robust construction typical of Yorkshire. Built from local, dark gritstone, the church possesses a sturdy, imposing Gothic character.

• Framing: The dark stone steps in the foreground lead the eye up toward the large, beautiful central window, which is intricately decorated with stone tracery.

• The Atmosphere: The dark, slightly dramatic lighting, with a bright sky peering through, gives the image a timeless, almost Gothic feel—perfectly suiting a building with eight centuries of stories embedded in its walls.

St Mary's is not just a building; it's a monumental piece of Elland's soul, continually watching over the valley just as it has done for over 800 years. If you find yourself in the area, take the time to climb these steps and discover the rich history within.

From Industry to Oasis: The Calder & Hebble at Cromwell Bottom

Location: Cromwell Bottom, Brighouse Date: 30th March 2019 Camera: Nikon d3300

Sunlight over the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Cromwell Bottom

The water captured in this image, still and reflective, belies the deep and complex history of the land it flows through. This peaceful section is part of the Calder and Hebble Navigation at Cromwell Bottom, a location sandwiched between the towns of Brighouse and Elland in the Calder Valley.

Once a crucial highway of the Industrial Revolution, this spot now tells a powerful story of industrial heritage, environmental reclamation, and natural rebirth.

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The Working Waterway: Calder & Hebble History

The Calder and Hebble Navigation was one of the earliest navigable waterways into the Pennines. Work began in 1758, and by 1770, the navigation was open, extending westwards from Wakefield to Sowerby Bridge. This waterway was essential for moving heavy raw materials and finished goods, particularly wool and coal, throughout the West Riding and connecting it to the sea via the Aire and Calder Navigation.

The navigation often follows the course of the River Calder, with man-made cuts, like the one at Cromwell Bottom, designed to bypass weirs and river meanders.

The Curiosity of Tag Cut

Right next to this section of the main canal lies the fascinating Tag Cut, a 500-meter section of disused canal built in 1770 to straighten a meander in the river. Interestingly, this cut, which was built to provide water access to Elland Stone Mill, appears never to have been used, perhaps superseded by the main navigation itself. The remains of the Tag Cut are now a key feature of the modern Nature Reserve and even have a local legend attached to them involving a headless ghost.

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Cromwell Bottom: A History of Transformation

The tranquillity seen in the image is a testament to nature's resilience. Before it became a cherished haven, the land at Cromwell Bottom endured a harsh industrial history:

• Quarrying and Mining: The area was historically a site for quarrying and coal mining.

• The Power Station Tip: Perhaps most remarkably, the site was used as a landfill and a tip for highly alkaline fly ash from the now-demolished Elland Power Station.

In 2000, this once heavily used industrial site was officially designated the Cromwell Bottom Local Nature Reserve (LNR). The alkaline fly ash, which once posed an environmental challenge, is now credited with fostering a unique mix of woodland, wetlands, and grasslands.

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The Nature Reserve Today

Today, Cromwell Bottom is considered one of the most important wildlife sites in Calderdale, offering a perfect, accessible escape along the canal towpath.

• Wildlife Haven: The wetlands and meadows support rich flora and fauna, including rare invertebrates. Visitors can spot a variety of birds such as kingfishers, oystercatchers, and curlew, alongside insects like dragonflies and damselflies.

• Accessible Paths: The reserve provides a network of well-maintained footpaths, making it wheelchair and walking friendly in many areas.

• A Living Lesson: The site serves as a fantastic example of ecological reclamation, demonstrating how even heavily scarred industrial landscapes can transform into rich, biodiverse environments when given the chance.

This stretch of the Calder and Hebble Navigation is a unique place where the legacy of the 18th-century canal engineers and the 21st-century conservationists meet, creating a tranquil path for walkers, boaters, and nature lovers alike.