Our Industrial Heritage:
A Sculpture Trail

by the Children of Hebden Royd Primary School.
From Saturday 5th July -saturday 19th July.

Tuesday, 8 July 2008

During the past year the Children of Hebden Royd Primary School have been studying the Victorians as part of their History lessons. They have been particularly interested in the lives of children and the poor.

To follow on from this they have been looking at the industrial history of Hebden Bridge and decided to create a 'Sculpture Trail' celebrating our Industrial Heritage.

The children have spent time during Art lessons creating Sculptures for the trail. They have all enjoyed time spent making giant puppets and mobiles from old bobbins and clog soles (courtesy of Walkley's Clogs!) and several pupils have learned how to knit in order to produce wooly jumpers for a small flock of sheep!

They hope that visitors will enjoy walking the trail as much as they have in the creation of it.

The trail is set in Colden Clough Local Nature reserve, the beautiful wooded valley that was once a hive of industry supporting 9 mills. Mother Nature has reclaimed the valley, but echoes of the past still remain - millponds are now home to an abundance of wildlife, the chimney at Lumb Mill is now occupied by a tawny owl, and occasionally, if you are quiet, roe deer can be seen roaming through the beech trees. Stand still and you may still hear sounds from the past. Can you hear the clickety clack of the looms or is it the cry of a Jay flying overhead? Was that the sound of clogs on flagstones or maybe just a woodpecker? Let your imagination run free as you walk through our Trail of Mobiles and Puppets, Mill Worker Mannequins, and sheep!

The trail is not suitable for wheelchair access, as it is a walk through natural woodland and some of the pathways may be slippery or rough. It is set on the site of the former Upper Lumb Mill. Trainers, wellies or walking boots are recommended! It is an area of natural beauty and we hope that you will treat it, and the Sculptures made by the children with respect.

Parking is limited on Church Lane but the the trail can be reached by foot from Hebden Bridge. Leave Hebden Bridge centre along the A646 towards Todmorden. Straight on at the Bridge Lanes Traffic lights, then right into Church Lane. Follow the road up, passing Hebden Royd School and Eaves Road on the right. walk up Bank Terrace to Colden Road - the unmade road which carries on uphill into the woods. When the track splits, take the lower way on the right down to Lumb Mill where your trip back in time will start.

Take your time and enjoy!

The trail can also be easily accessed from Lumb bank, Heptonstall.

Maps of the Trail are available from the Arts Festival Office and the Tourist Information Centre in Hebden Bridge.