- petert0749
- Aug 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 1
This 2025 production takes a look at some of Calderdale towns and villages from the air with the use of a drone flown by Mark Sykes and some local history supplied by presenter Peter J. Thornton.
We begin in Halifax which is the largest of the towns in Calderdale and it’s administration centre, the magnificent Piece Hall built in 1779 is the jewel in the crown of a town which is rich in architectural history. The Halifax Minster is an historic and architecturally significant church with roots dating back to the 12th century and the Halifax Town Hall is a historic municipal building located in the heart of the town and was designed by the renowned architect Sir Charles Barry.
We fly to Brighouse which is about 4 miles from Halifax and is a market town which sits alongside the River Calder and the Calder and Hebble Navigation canal, the old Sugdens Flour Mill dominates the town.
The town boasts several beautiful old buildings that reflect its architectural heritage.
Historically Elland thrived in textiles, particularly woollen mills, and later diversified into engineering, manufacturing, and coal mining.
Opened in 1912 the Rex Cinema began its life as a public hall and was converted into a cinema, originally known as the Central Picture House
After climbing the 400 steps of Wainhouse Tower at King Cross the town of Sowerby Bridge lies in the valley below and we take a close look at the deepest canal lock in the UK.
Hebden Bridge is a popular town in the Calder Valley with many tourists each day enjoying the old packhorse bridge and the dozens of coffee shops which add to the charm of the town.
Just east of Todmorden are the Bridestones outcrop of millstone grit rocks and boulders, amongst these rocky outcrops are a number of odd-shaped formations that have been caused by weather-related erosion over thousands, if not millions of years.
Located where three valleys converge, Todmorden is surrounded by dramatic moorland landscapes, rolling hills, and the picturesque Pennines, it is a historic market town nestled in the Calder Valley.
We end the film by climbing to Stoodley Pike overlooking the villages of Lumbutts and Mankinholes to enjoy the fantastic views over the upper Calder Valley.