Halifax Before The Earth Moved

This started as another of those "where was I standing when I took this" mysteries. The photograph dates from the 1970s, and the quest for my vantage point wasn't helped by the dubious quality of the old negative. Clearly that is Halifax in the distance and there are enough stone-spires and brick-blocks visible to begin … Continue reading Halifax Before The Earth Moved

Five Miserable Men From Ovenden

This is an Edwardian studio Cabinet Card featuring five unknown men. On the reverse is a studio stamp which reads “B Collier, Photographer, Ovenden, Nr Halifax” I have not been able to find any record of such a photographer in any of the lists of Victorian and Edwardian studios, nor in census records, but that … Continue reading Five Miserable Men From Ovenden

Walking The Dog

Standing on the top of Long Ridge, looking down towards Rastrick, watching the wind blow the sky away: man and dog in perfect harmony.

Knocking At The Door

I found this chap (preferred pronoun) attacked to my front door yesterday. Presumably it was knocking on the door, but being a little deaf, I couldn't hear it. However, on seeing it, I invited it in and took its photograph. Then it went on its way, leaving me with the photograph to remember it by.

Doesn’t It Look Grand?

The splendid British Newspaper Archives has just added copies of the 19th century Building News and Engineering Journal. Look what turned up in an 1891 issue - Halifax's New Market and Arcade. Doesn't it look grand! Here's the introductory article. What a bargain for £40,000. True Victorian levelling-up at its best.

Smokey Elland

I know Elland reasonably well, but it still took me quite some time to work out where I must have been standing when I took this photo fifty or so years ago. The amount of smoke coming out of the Power Station reminds you how much cleaner things are these days.

Halifax Framed

Smartphone Apps often supply you with a range of decorative frames to dress up your photos and present them to their best advantage. Trees provide a similar service to anyone who cares to walk the hills that overlook Halifax. Chimneys, church spires, and even blocks of concrete flats seem to sprout from the verdant valley … Continue reading Halifax Framed