From the Courier archives
ow Corney, and Michael Johnson who was Mr Bumble. lSend your favourite old photos to Nostalgia, Halifax Courier, Fire Station, Dean Clough, Halifax, HX3 5AX, or email pictures@halifaxcourier.co.uk The River Hebden features prominently in this view of Hebden Bridge taken in 1976. The three bridges over the Hebden appear clearly too. At the top is St George’s Bridge, with, beside it, the ancient Bridge Mill, newly stonecleaned, and, at the opposite, left end of the bridge ,the town’s council offices, now Hebden Bridge Town Hall. Downstream is the narrow Old Bridge, which carried a packhorse trail across the river, and downstream again is New Bridge or West End Bridge, which carries the main Calder Valley road, the A646, from Market Street, running up from the bottom left hand corner of the photo, to New Road en route to Halifax. Much of Hebden Bridge’s compact shopping centre is enclosed by the three streets running parallel to the Hebden river; from the left they are Bridge Gate, with its car park readily visible, Crown Street and Hope Street, running into the diagonal of Albert Street. At the corner of New Road and Hope Street is Hope Baptist Church, with, behind, the stonecleaned Sunday school, now the town’s public library. The blackened building facing both Crown Street and Albert Street is the former Co-operative Carlton Buildings, now Carlton House flats. Across New Road from Hope Baptist Church is part of the Picture House and beside it Hebden Bridge Memorial Gardens. Moving leftwards again is Holme Street with, in a row, the town’s post office, Trades Club and Hebden Bridge Little Theatre. Across the street is Riverside School, with its large playground, and across the river is another school, Central Street. Here, at the bottom of the photo, is where the Hebden meets the River Calder, with the Rochdale Canal passing over the Calder on an aqueduct. years ago
leaders have agreed to sell off a disused youth club, Youth House, in Hebden Bridge, to Pennine Heritage so it can be turned into an information centre for historians and walkers. The Heritage Lottery Fund is set to decide on a £750,000 bid to adapt the building, in Carlton Street. The centre is designed to encourage visitors and residents to explore Calderdale’s industrial, agricultural, religious, cultural and social heritage.
Halifax Town will enjoy a week- long promotion party after all but clinching the Unibond One North title. Victory for Neil Aspin’s side at Ossett Albion means the Shaymen are nine points clear of their rivals and with a 22-goal difference advantage it will take a catastrophe to deny Town top spot. At Osset, Town were 2-1 down early in the second half but dug deep to win 4-2. years ago
work is set to begin on a £ 3.8 million scheme to improve the notorious “killer hill” at Brookfoot, Brighouse. Several heavy lorries have run out of control in recent years and plunged over a high retaining wall into Elland Road. The scheme will completely redesign the junction but the cost has risen because of technical and other problems. It will be Calderdale’s biggest road improvement project since the King Cross bypass in 1983.
Clogs is pulling criowds from all over Britain and even Europe. It is certainly a far cry from five years ago, when the Hebden Bridge mill was on the verge of ruin. Since being saved three years ago the mill has been transformed from a dilapidated Victorian clog factory into one of the biggest tourist attractions in Calderdale and the future is looking bright. years ago
Shaw, Halifax inventor of the catseye, was guest of honour at a concert for brass bands at the New Victoria, Halifax. Mr Shaw, though now blind, was formerly an outstanding player and continues to contribute to the brass band press. He was awarded the 50 years service certificate and honorary life membership of the Brass Band Club, which were presented by Hebden Bridge-born conductor Harry Mortimer. The bands taking part were the Crossley Carpet Works, Halifax, Fairey Band and the Lindley Band.