I'm planning a camera club outing in the spring to Hardcastle Crags, a wooded valley near Hebden Bridge managed by the National Trust. It needed an exploratory recce and I happened to choose a rather lovely day for it: much warmer than of late, dry, sunny and with no wind. Perfect! The river (Hebden Water) was running fast after recent rain and that added to the beauty and atmosphere.
There are various clues that the past, in this valley, was rather different from now. Old gateposts and walls, flagged packhorse trails, weirs and stepping stones across the river remind you that at one time the area was a hive of industry...
... and eventually you arrive at Gibson Mill, nestled deep in the valley, once a 19th century cotton mill, later an entertainment emporium and now a café and exhibition space.
Evocative and appealing!
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see that even in the UK, old mills are repurposed as many are here in New England like the former textile mill we currently reside in. The stepping stones across the river looked like they could be a bit tricky to maneuver and I wondered if they were still used.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great spot for a cafe.
ReplyDeleteI just had a thought...don't some mills somewhere make cotton cloth still? I know here in the US, lots of people prefer to buy "made in the USA" to China. I'm going to see what I can find. But oh, that river and all those scenes are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Especially that first shot with the light in the distance.
ReplyDeleteGlad the place has been recycled and not destroyed. The light in the first photo is excellent. Interesting to find relics of years gone by.
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