Blackshaw Head

If you follow the road up from my daughter's home to the west of Hebden Bridge you eventually, after much hair-raising climbing up steep, narrow lanes, arrive at the small village of Blackshaw Head. We went up there for their annual Village Fete at the end of August. (I'm a bit late with my posting!) 

The village has some 17th/18th century houses and farms (with a few more recently built). There's a Methodist Chapel built in 1815, that serves both as a place of worship and a community focus for the village. I occasionally used to take my youngest granddaughter to the playgroup here when I looked after her - and it was delightful; so welcoming and a real haven for lively children and tired mums/grans. The tea and cake was delicious! M used to be so tired afterwards that she'd sleep in the car on our way home. I sometimes used to drive miles so she could have a decent nap! 

The chapel itself, built in two tiers as was customary, isn't very big but is attractively panelled with large, light windows. It was set out with 'quiet spaces' for meditation and provided a peaceful haven away from the busy fete.  

This area consists of a high Pennine moorland plateau, cut through by deep valleys. (Hebden Bridge itself is right down in the bottom of the Calder valley). Blackshaw Head's elevation is over 1000ft (350m) above sea level, so there are panoramic views from here, looking around to the other villages and hamlets on the moorland. (The photo below is looking north towards Colden.) It is not far from the Pennine Way long distance footpath, which goes through Colden.