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Paul Bigland

Category Archives: Pubs

Time in the sun.

05 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by Paul Bigland in Pubs, Rail Investment, Railways, West Yorkshire

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pubs, Rail Investment, Railways, West Yorkshire

(Updated 23:00)

I managed to escape from the office again today as I’d arranged to meet a fellow photographer who works in the rail industry to give him a guided tour of locations around Marsden on the Trans-pennine rail route through the Colne valley. I’d been meaning to update my library shots and get some pictures for a client from the area, so this was the perfect opportunity – especially as the sun Gods were smiling upon us.

Trevor and I met on the train at Huddersfield for a trip on a line that (as a man of Kent) he’d not travelled on for donkey’s years. Our first port of call was Marsden, the nearest station to the famous Standedge tunnels, where canal and rail occupy almost the same ground under the Pennines. It’s a fantastic photo location but one that will change dramatically over the next few years when the rail route is electrified.

The only downside nowadays is the monotony of the type of trains. Very little freight uses the route as it has such an intensive passenger service. This is Trans-Pennine Express’s core route. Northern Rail used to operate an hourly all-stations Huddersfield-Manchester service but it’s now operated by TPE. This means the line’s almost completely Class 185 operated which is why the introduction of the TPE’s loco-hauled sets is a welcome break from the monotony.

Having trudged up the incline to a spot above the tunnel entrance the sun smiled, and so did we, as we managed to get a range of pictures in decent weather. Here’s an example.

A TPE Class 185 heads East towards Marsden station which is around a quarter of a mile to the right of the picture. The bridge in the foreground’s an aqueduct which has been rebuilt and renewed by Network Rail. It’s been raised to give sufficient clearance to the overhead wires which are due in the next few years when the line between Leeds and Manchester’s electrified.
A zoomed-in shot from the same location, showing the aqueduct in greater detail. The formation to the right carried tracks through the original single track Standedge tunnels which were built in 1848 and 1871. The present double track rail tunnel was built in 1894. Just behind the train is the Huddersfield narrow canal, its tunnel was opened in 1811. You can learn more about these feats of engineering here. If you’re in the area, I’d recommend the tunnel café and the museum. Both are in the canal basin and a short walk from Marsden station.

Having exhausted the photographic possibilities we changed locations a couple of times to catch one of the new CAF built trains for Northern which was working empty stock from Preston to Huddersfield.

In doing so we missed one TPE’s new Nova 3 sets as we didn’t know the damned thing was running! Here’s the classic view we’d been heading for.

A Manchester bound TPE service approaches the Standedge tunnel. The canal museum and visitor centre I mentioned earlier is in the old transhipment shed to the right of the picture.

By that time the Pennine weather had changed from favourable to fearsome, with cold air and showers sweeping in from the West, so we adjourned to the Riverhead Brewery Tap pub in Marsden, which is a cracking place to stop for a pint before heading back East

Back in Huddersfield we connected with the loco-hauled TPE set we’d missed earlier. Well it would have been rude not to!

Trevor used it to get to Leeds before heading off to Keighley whilst I stayed on as far as York as I couldn’t resist the opportunity to get shots of the set under the magnificent station roof. Luckily, a late-running Siemens set allowed me some nice juxtaposition and a study in front ends.

All in all it’s not been a bad day and a lot less frustrating than yesterday. There’s some useful shots in the bank and for a client. I’ve had chance to explore locations I’ve not visited for a while and I’ve also been able to act as a tour guide for a friend. What more can you ask for?

Home again (naturally).

23 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by Paul Bigland in Musings, Pubs, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire

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Musings, pubs, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire

Apologies for the lack of blogging these past few days. After all the travelling I’ve been doing, this weekend’s been one for spending time at home and catching up with a shedload of stuff – some work, some pleasure.

As you can imagine, there’s been a huge amount of pictures to edit from the ‘3 peaks by rail challenge’. I finished those yesterday, so tomorrow many people’s inboxes are going to be alive with pictures. I’ve added a selection to my Zenfolio website which you can find here. I’ve also been busy sorting out the pictures from Pembrokshire. You can find the travel ones here and the rail ones here. Oh, I also managed to add a few more old rail slides today. I’ve had them set up ready for scanning but ran out of time. Now I need the desk space. Here’s a sample. The pictures were all taken in the Manchester area back in April 2000. My, how things have changed! People may complain about ‘Pacers’ nowadays but back then many services were operated by life-expired DMU’s like these.

7655. L835 51432 + 51498. 14.02. New Mills - Manchester Piccadilly. New Mills Central.14.4.2000crop

Unfortunately, the good weather we brought back with us from Wales was fleeting, to say the best. I spent several hours tidying up our garden which had run riot over the past week due to all the rain. This was done in muggy weather that never actually graced us with sunshine despite all the teasing. Afterwards, Dawn and I walked down along the canal into Sowerby Bridge to stretch our legs and enjoy a drink. We called into the Hogshead brewhouse.The pub’s started to serve all it’s own brewed beers in a 6 half pint paddle, which is a great idea. Here’s a look at what you can get.

This being ‘flaming June’ we got soaked walking back home as t’heavens decided to dump upon us! Because of the inclement weather we’ve had a quiet night at home in front of the TV. That’s a rare event as I watch so little of it, but we both enjoy ‘Killing Eve’. It’s one of those rare programmes that has everything – great actors, an excellent script and wonderful camera work.

Tomorrow I’m back to the grindstone, but (as usual) there’ll be a variety of work, so expect a few different blogs as I’ve got a backlog of stuff to write about.

Rolling blog: Pembrokeshire travels by rail.

20 Thursday Jun 2019

Posted by Paul Bigland in Photography, Pubs, Railways, Rolling blogs, Station buffets, Transport, Travel, Wales

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Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel, Wales

My plans changed today at the last moment so I find myself sampling the railways of Pembrokeshire, starting out at Pembroke Dock.I’d no idea what to expect as I’d never been here before, so I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the old station building was not only intact – it was also in use as a bar and restaurant! In fact, it has been for the past 26 years, which is pretty good going when you consider the train service is one every two hours! The station Inn is one of those rare beasts nowadays as it’s also a live music venue (I’ll add a link to them later). There’s also a seating area outside for those who want to catch a bit of sun, which is what we’ve got today.

The sparse train service is relaxed to say the least as there’s a long turnaround time here. The inbound working arrived at 12:23 and it’s not due out until 13:09. I’m assuming there must be a crew messroom in the station building somewhere.

13:25

I’m now pootling my way along the branch which is actually very pretty as we pass castles, backyards and countryside whist stopping at a variety of single platform stations and level crossings where our driver still makes liberal use of the train horn – something that’s forbidden on many parts of the network due to complaints from those living alongside the line.13:44.We’ve now left Tenby, the major station on the line. It’s a town I’d never visited until this week but I can see the attraction. It has an interesting history, lovely beaches and good places to eat. Sadly, it’s a bit of a beer desert! Tony’s one of those towns that’s been taken over by the curse of ‘Doom Bar’. In many pubs it’s the only real ale you can find, which is why the arrival of the Tenby Harbour Brewery has been such a saviour!14:51.I’m now kicking my heels in Whitland, which is the junction for the Pembroke Dock line and the routes to Milford Haven and Fishguard. The station has two platforms, a BR(W) era signal box and rudimentary passenger facilities.

The single-storey modern station building is used as a base for Network Rail. At least there’s a platform canopy. Passengers on the Westbound platform have to make do with two bus shelters.

15:46.

I’m now on the 15:44 from Whitland which is heading for Milford Haven from Manchester. When you think about it, that’s quite a long trip. I wonder how many passengers (if any) do it point to point?

The line’s double track as far as Clarbeston Rd where the two lines diverge. The junction’s still controlled by an old GWR brick built signal box. The landscape around here puts me very much in mind of Devon & Cornwall, it’s gently rolling hills and rural nature are very similar, although they have a far better train service!

16:14.

Wer’e now West of Haverfordwest, a two platform station whose brick built buildings look like they date from the early 1950s. Unlike many stations it still sports a goods yard, although I’m pretty certain it’s only used by the occasional engineers train.

16:58.

I’ve arrived at Milford Haven, just over a mile from where I started. It’s another badly truncated branch line that’s seen far better days. After getting a few shots at the station (most if which is now shops) I’ve wandered through the harbour to explore. The inner harbour basin’s full of yachts whilst the quayside is lined with mock warehouse buildings that are a mixture of residential and retail. It’s a far cry from the harbours origins as a massive fish dock. I’m observing all thus from a modern restaurant/bar called The ‘Harbourmaster’ which straddles the yacht basin and the real docks on the other side of the river under the former refineries. The fact they’re mothballed now is evident from their chimneys which are all dead. Tankers still dock her, but only to fill the storage tanks on land.

Rolling blog: Liverpool bound…

08 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by Paul Bigland in Food and drink, Liverpool, Pubs, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

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Food and drink, Liverpool, pubs, Railways, Rolling blogs, Travel

07:40.

Today many of the ‘Big 6’ gang are on tour to Liverpool to take in some sights, some shops, food and pubs. Unfortunately, the weather’s being less than kind. As I sit and write this the latest rainstorm is just beginning to abate. There’s more forecast throughout the day. The weather may dampen us but it’ll not dampen our spirits. I’ll blog throughout the day, so stay tuned…The rain held off long enough for me to walk to the station and join the merry band. Here’s how the Calder Valley looked on the way.10:01.

Now we’re scattered throughout a packed 2-car Class 156 that’s working the 09:56 to Manchester Victoria. There’s another concert on in this evening so this service is busy carrying fans as well as the normal load of daytrippers.The atmosphere aboard’s happy but damp!

12.29.

The group split at Manchester Victoria because some folk had bought ‘Northern only’ rail tickets, but Northern weren’t running from Victoria to Liverpool today! They headed off to Oxford Rd fir their train whilst the rest of us caught a direct TPE service. It being Saturday, our train was packed with women off to various hen nights.Now we’re in the first of our pubs. Nowadays it’s called ‘The Dispensary’. I remember it by it’s old name, ‘The Grapes’.14:00.Next pub. The Little Grapes.Here’s the crew.

Rolling blog: I love to go a wandering…

22 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by Paul Bigland in Calder Valley, Food and drink, Pubs, Travel, Walking, West Yorkshire

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Food and drink, pubs, Travel, Walking, West Yorkshire

It’s bank holiday Monday and the weather’s absolutely stonking! After spending a morning pottering around at home, picture-editing and sorting out some chores Dawn and I are preparing to walk through the Calder Valley to a favourite old haunt, the Robin Hood pub in Cragg Vale, which is a great place for a spot of lunch after a few hours walking. No doubt we’ll have time to post a few pictures and comments later, so watch this space.

15:31.

We’ve stopped for a break at the Shoulder of Mutton in Mytholmroyd after walking down the hill to Sowerby Bridge, crossed the Calder, then slogged uphill to Sowerby on a road I call ‘Lost dreams Rd’ because it’s always littered with failed lottery scratch cards! In the distance you can see our starting point under the Wainhouse Tower.

The view the other way (looking along the valley towards Mytholmroyd) isn’t bad either!

23:18

It’s the end of the day and it’s been a very active one. We made it to the Robin Hood for an excellent Sunday lunch (OK, it’s bank holiday Monday, but never mind) of succulent lamb and Yorkshire puddings, accompanied by a huge amount of vegetables (not in the picture).

For £10, it can’t be beaten. Whilst we were eating a drama was unfolding which made it feel like we were actually in an episode of ‘Emmerdale Farm’, only this wasn’t fiction. Poor Roger (the landlord) and his wife had suffered a serious arson attack and trashing of vehicles on his farm, apparently carried out by some young teenage scrotes who’re causing trouble in the area. The police had arrived to gather information whilst a number of concerned locals were popping in to see if they were alright or offer help. Meanwhile, in the bar, other locals were complaining about the outrageous prices in a nearby pub (which shall remain nameless) and a less than placid relationship between a local couple (who will also remain nameless).

We ended up having a couple of drinks in a very quiet Sowerby Bridge after walking back along the Rochdale canal. I got the impression the good weather had meant that many people had stayed at home with a barbecue and a few beers. Still, we’d had a good days exercise, as the screen for my Fitbit shows.

fitbit

Rolling blog: the Big 6 on tour…

20 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by Paul Bigland in Food and drink, Lancashire, Pubs, Rolling blogs, The Big 6, Travel

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Food and drink, Lancashire, pubs, Rolling blogs, The Big 6, Travel

10:20.

Today a group of friends from the Big 6 pub in Halifax, under the leadership of Tony Allan (of Phoenix Brewery fame) are having a little outing by train, over the Pennines to Rochdale to partake in the Easter ale trail, a new take on the traditional beer festival. It’s another fantastic Spring day here in the Pennines, so the weather’s ideal. Watch out for updates on our (probably unsteady) progress throughout the day! Before we go, Dawn’s been busy in the kitchen as we’re hosting her parents for dinner tomorrow. Last night she prepared a special marinade for this leg of lamb, which will now steep until tomorrow.12:09.

The group rendezvous at Halifax railway station.12:57.

The group outside the first pub of the day – The Flying Horse hotel which has a great view of the Town Hall.Here’s the token system.15:10.

We’re on our third pub and it’s a cracker! It’s The Baum in Toad Lane, a conservation area. The pub is adjacent to the shop where, in 1844, the Rochdale Pioneers opened their first shop and started the co-operative movement back in 1844.This has been our lunch stop and I couldn’t resist ordering a traditional Lancashire delicacy: rag pudding with mushy peas and chips!We’ve now stepped through a door into a 5th dimension where it feels like we’re in London, or Paris, not Rochdale – and Otto’s found the piano..18:10.

We’re now on what’s probably our last pub, which is opposite the Town Hall. The Old Post Office.

Off to the moor…

25 Saturday Aug 2018

Posted by Paul Bigland in Pubs, Tesla, Transport, Travel, Walking, Yorkshire

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pubs, Transport, Travel, Walking, Yorkshire

The weather forecast isn’t as good as it was but we’re off to Ilkley for a days walking with friends regardless. For once we’re not travelling by rail. Instead we’re in a rather different vehicle. Can you guess what it is?

It’s a Tesla.

So, part of the day was really interesting for a completely different reason – the chance to travel in an electric car, hear what the owner thought of it and gather our own impressions.

Jason’s had his Tesla for two years and covered a fair bit of ground in it as he uses it for both business and pleasure. I doubt he’ll mind me describing him as a car enthusiast who’s owned many different vehicles over the years.

Firstly, here’s my impressions of the Tesla S. It’s very roomy, but then it’s a big car. A lot of space inside the saloon is saved by the lack of a transmission. The fact it doesn’t have an engine means it has a (small) front boot as well as a rear one. It’s also very quiet – and stable, that’s because the battery covers the base of the chassis between the wheels, giving the vehicle a very low centre of gravity. Acceleration is impressive, very impressive. It would easily beat shit off a shovel. Jason told me it will do 0-30 in something like 1.5 seconds. He gave us a demonstration of what happens when by putting his foot down for a few seconds and it really did move (all within the speed limit of course).

Then come the caveats. Jason and his partner Nikki talked about the vehicles autopilot and the problems they’ve experienced. Apparently, you can trust it(ish) on roads where there’s clearly defined white lines, but if there’s none – forget it. Jason talked about the time he’d left the car in Autopilot when he was in a queue at traffic lights. The car suddenly decided to take off. Now, when you consider that at Tesla S weighs well over 2 tons and can accelerate rapidly, that’s a lot of kinetic energy – as the car in front that the Tesla didn’t sense found out. Jason’s Tesla rear-ended it so hard that it caused £10,000 worth of damage! Other things I learned were that the build quality is ‘typically American’ (and no, that’s not a compliment) and that because of the cars limited (but still impressive) battery charge life, you really have to be careful about travelling long distances as you have to make sure you can find working charging points. They’re not ‘go anywhere’ vehicles, but I’m sure that this factor will change as the technology improves and expands.

All in all I was quite impressed with the vehicle, just not the much-vaunted auto-pilot capability. Electric cars are certainly here to stay and the technology will continue to develop and improve. They cold make a real difference, but we have to be realistic about them. I still remain deeply cynical about the autonomous car hype and Jason’s experiences re-enforced that. Oh, there’s also the small matter that a Tesla isn’t exactly cheap, this one cost North of £65,000, which doesn’t exactly put it in the household car spending bracket. That said, other car companies will produce mass produced vehicles – which Tesla is failing to do.

OK, I realise that I’ve turned into ‘Top Gear’ here, so let’s get away from cars. The four of us had headed over to Ilkley for a day walking and chance to catch up – and we couldn’t have chosen a better day. Despite the forecast we didn’t see a spot of rain. In fact, the weather was far sunnier than was expected, so we had a great few hours exploring Ilkley Moor. Here’s a selection of pictures.

 

DG305910

Looking across Wharfedale North-East from above the Cow and Calf rocks on Ilkley Moor. There’s an interesting collection of ‘golf-ball’ radar installations on the horizon, but I’ve no idea where they are as I can’t find them on any maps! 

DG305913

Looking down on Ilkley from the Moor, with the railway station middle left of the picture. 

The Cow and Calf rocks are a busy tourist destination as there’s a car-park just below them. They’re a good base from which to explore the Moor.

20180825_1529584980975540208170194.jpg

A closer view of the Cow and Calf rocks. 

DG305904

Close to the rocks is the hotel and pub of the same name. It’s a great place to have a meal or a drink whilst admiring the views. 

 

The selection of real Ales isn’t bad either! 

The ‘Big 6’ go whisky tasting

26 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by Paul Bigland in Food and drink, Pubs, West Yorkshire

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Food and drink, pubs, West Yorkshire

One of the delights of having the ‘Big 6’ as my local pub is the chance to enjoy their regular whisky tasting trips. Tonight’s the second one of the season. The tastings are held in a hotel just outside Skipton. They’re actually arranged by the Wright Wine Co based in the same town. These evenings are very popular with well over 100 people attending each tasting. Each one is hosted by a different guest from either a distillery or a company like Berry Bros & Rudd or Diaggio who talk about the different whiskies they’ve brought along for us to sample. They can be highly entertaining and excellent raconteurs as some of the guests have a wealth of anecdotes and exerience. These evenings aren’t just dry talks about the mechanics of distilling – although there is a real depth of technical knowledge on offer for those who’re interested – especially when it’s a distiller hosting the night

Then there’s the whisky. I’ve tried (and bought) Indian and Dutch as well as a variety of Scots produce. The variety has been stunning – as has been the price! We’re given the opportunity to sample whiskies that would normally sell for £150-200 a bottle.

Tonight’s event will feature Glenglassaugh. I’ll blog more about it later. Right now 11 of us are on the charabanc from the Big 6 to Skipton.

19.31.

We’ve arrived and are settling in. Here’s the first look at what’s on tonight…

Here’s what we’re sampling and the price list (per bottle).

A few whiskies in and the discussions about the flavours and merits commence..

22:14.

Oh, did I mention that food’s included as part of the event? Lasagne and garlic bread’s very useful for soaking up the whiskies..

,,,

A grand day out…

25 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by Paul Bigland in Pubs, Travel

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Today we’re off to celebrate the birthday of a friend, Tony Allen. He’s famed for his Phoenix beers. Tony has hired a 1949 Guy Arab single deck bus to take a group of us on a tour of some local hostelries. The day involves a few canal walks in between, so expect a few pictures later.

Cheers, Tony!

 

DG267910

The gang in Dobcross

 

 

Whatever happened to…

29 Friday May 2015

Posted by Paul Bigland in Nostalgia, Pubs, Sowerby Bridge

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Nostalgia, pubs, Sowerby Bridge

– those fantastic pub Landlords & Landladies that used to make some alehouses such a pleasure to visit?

I’m old enough to remember the days when a pub was known by the character of the person who ran it – those individual Landlords or Landladies who made a pub their own. In those days the licensees name above the door actually meant something. I can still remember the name of the Landlady of the first pub I drank in as a teenager nearly 40 years ago – Grace Kathleen Taylor. She was replaced by a real character called Monica Brownlee. Anyone who drank in the Old Ship in Southport back in the 1980s couldn’t fail to remember Monica with her cheroots, her leather pants & those snappy one-liners delivered in an Irish brogue! Those were the days…

Nowadays you’d be hard pressed to even know who the licensees of many pubs are. Their territory’s no longer marked with their names above the door & for better or worse, many of them leave the running of the pub to bar staff & rarely grace the customers with their presence. Not that some of them have any presence to be honest…

I mention this because tonight I ventured into a pub that we used to frequent & found it a shadow of its former self. A few years ago this pub in Sowerby Bridge was a vibrant community pub. Owned by the Ossett Brewery, the place was run by landlady Linda who employed a great bunch of bar staff. That said, Linda was behind the bar herself most nights. You knew it was her establishment & she knew her regulars & what they drank – which was always a sign of a good pub.

Sadly, Linda & her partner Rob moved on & were replaced by a chap who only lasted a year or so at most. I hadn’t been in for a while but I’d bumped into some of the old regulars who told me the pub had been taken over by another new manager & it had gone downhill. The prices had gone up & the atmosphere had gone down. Last night I popped in & saw why. One harassed barman was trying to serve several people all on his own. Of the ‘landlady’ there was no sign (apparently, she hadn’t been seen all night). Finally, after the rush had died down, a young lady in slippers & semi-pajamas drifted downstairs. Without a word to anyone (including the barman) or even acknowledging their presence she emptied some bags of change into the till before disappearing back upstairs like a wraith.

Needless to say, I won’t be calling in again. If Ossett wonder why the takings at one of their pubs has taken a dive, perhaps they should look at the quality of their staff training & recruitment.

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