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April 2007-
October 2008 Naming the
Valley and the Blue Plaques Project
Naming the Valley
and the Blue Plaque Project are both in their final stages (at
least, phase one of the Blue Plaques Project anyway).
Sites for the
location of the initial Naming the Valley signs were decided in
late March. These were to be on the main road entrances to the
Valley, namely the A62 above Marsden, Round Ings Road at Scapegoat
Hill, and Varley Road in Slaithwaite. In addition, since funds
were still available, it was decided to place one at the exit from
Standedge Tunnel for the arrival of both Rail and Canal visitors.
The signs were
designed by Mike Ives, a West Yorkshire artist, and based on the
banner designed by Florence Lockwood, a local campaigner for
womens sufferage during the early 20th Century.
The first of the
welcome signs was unveiled in September by Local Councillor Nicola
Turner and Glenda Oldroyd from the Colne Valley Society. Two more
have now been set on Round Ings Road (Scapegoat Hill) and Varley
Road (Slaithwaite) at the geographical entry points to the Colne
Valley.
Above: Welcome
to the Colne Valley plaques created by Mike Ives and based on a
Suffragette banner designed by Florence Lockwood. Top: Unveiling
of the first plaque, A62 Marsden, middle: Round Ings Road,
Scapegoat Hill, bottom: Varley Road, Slaithwaite.
Below: Blue
Plaques Installed! Three of the Blue Plaques in their locations:
Top: Linthawaite Hall, middle: Slaithwaite Free School, bottom:
Royds Hall School. Plaques have also been placed in Marsden Park,
the Hey Green Generator (Marsden) and at the Tenterposts (also in
Marsden).
Phase 1 of the
Blue Plaque project is complete! Ten sites for the plaques were
decided upon (by ballots held in various locations), and planning
permission has been sought. This has been received for six of the
sites, which reflect a wide range of heritage within the Valley
In Marsden the
site of the first electricity generator at Hey Green House, the
Tenterposts, and Marsden Park have been commemorated, reflecting
the industrial history of the area. In Slaithwaite a plaque is
located on the Free School. Linthwaite Hall and Royds Hall School in Milnsbridge
complete the tally for Phase 1 of this project.
Four further
locations: Black Rock House (former home of Suffragette and
Diarist Florence Lockwood); the former home of Harold Wilson;
Slaithwaite Manor House; and Slaithwaite Gaol were voted as worthy
of Commemoration, but as yet permission to locate these signs has
not been attained. They will await the second phase of the
project.
April 2006 -
April 2007
River Gate
There used to be a series of riverside footpaths in the Spa
Gardens and this is the first step towards recreating them. It
will provide the only safe access directly to the river, ideal for
picnics, fishing or just relaxing and enjoying the River.
We have now received further
funding from Kirklees Metropolitan Council-Environment Unit to
plant native wildflowers around the top of the steps. Plug
plants have been planted and will give a wonderful show of colour
in the spring.
Paddock Farm, Marsden
Already
this year we have created this pond at Paddock Farm, Marsden.
With the help of a JCB we excavated a 15mx10mx1.3m deep pond and
lined it with a piece of donated landfill liner. Watch this space
for photos of how the pond develops and vegetates. No plants have
been planted because we want to see what species will, and how
quickly they colonise the pond. Annual surveys will take place
to record its development.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
JULY 2001-JANUARY 2006
PHASE
TWO
February 2004 - January 2006
Footpath
improvements
We
have improved footpath access to and along the river in a number
of locations in the Colne Valley.
Major
improvements at Slaithwaite Spa:
Surveying
historic iron field furniture
This
has been a hugely popular and very exciting project. Iron field
gates are a key component of the heritage of the Colne Valley.
195 gates were surveyed and mapped by volunteers. As a celebration
of the project, a Feature Gate has been restored and hung by the
Rail and River Centre in the centre of Slaithwaite.
Developing
ideas and themes for a Colne Valley Sculpture Trail
We
delivered a series of community consultation workshops to develop
initial ideas and themes for a River Colne Sculpture Trail. Four
school and two community workshops ran in the summer 2004 and
were very well attended. We now have a new Sculpture Trail Officer
in place who is going to develop the Trail and commission some
art pieces.
We
took groups down to the river at each workshop to get the creative
juices flowing. Some lovely pieces were created by the children
using a range of materials. It is hoped that some of these pieces
will be used to inspire artists in their creations for the Trail.
Riverside
Improvement Projects
We
have created a wildflower meadow and wildlife garden outside our
office.
With
the help of local cubs we spent an afternoon pulling up Himalayan
Balsam from the river bank.
Rhododendron
is causing a problem on areas of heath in the Colne Valley. We
removed a large section of rhododendron to give heather the chance
to spread.
With blue sky, the sun shinning and the river flowing by, all
that was missing was a bench to sit on and watch the world go
by. We have installed 3 recycled plastic benches along the river.
PHASE ONE
July 2001-
December 2004
Water
quality survey
At
the start of the River Project, surveys of the river were carried
out to establish the water quality. This information is recorded
in reports held at the Rail and River Centre.
 Water
quality was better than expected in the upper Colne Valley
Pond
work
A
series of pond projects has been carried out including extending
the pond at Two Gates School, and carrying out a survey of ponds
in the valley.
Volunteers carrying out pond maintenance (removing bulrushes)
Knotweed
clearance
An
ongoing problem along the river! Every year we continue the programme
of knotweed clearance, but it’s an uphill battle………………
Knotweed on the river bank in Marsden
Milnsbridge
riverside walk
Working
with the Milnsbridge Enhancement Group, the River Project has
helped to establish a new walk along the river, including building
a dry stone wall and providing seating.
Volunteers learning to build a dry stone wall
The stone bench
Rhythms
of the River and River Story
These
events for children included a ‘Riverlab’ practical
science day at Tunnel End Reservoir, which included creating a
water-powered electricity generator and firing a water rocket!
And storyteller Roop Singh telling stories about the importance
of water and rivers in the Seikh traditions – sitting beside
a stream in Linthwaite.
Children enjoying the Riverlab
Roop Singh telling the River Story
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