How 19th Century tragedy helped shape tranquil Yorkshire Dales scene

According to David Joy’s 2002 book, Hebden: The History of a Dales Township, the drowning of a local man who was trying to cross the stepping stones in 1884 led to a local committee being formed with the intention of building a footbridge.

The effort was achieved thanks to a fundraising campaign and the help of a local leadmining company.

“A great storm the previous year had also destroyed Burnsall Bridge down stream causing the villagers great problems,” the book recounts. “The new bridge was designed as a suspension bridge and was built by the village blacksmith, William Bell. 262 yards of redundant steel rope was bought for it from the Hebden Moor Mining Company.

“Funding for the bridge was raised through public subscription and a grand opening was held in 1885 with a brass band and a public tea.”

Eric Lodge’s book A Wharfedale Village, which was published in 1994, states that a central supporting pier - the base of which can be seen in low water conditions - was part of the original structure but it was removed when the span was raised in 1937 after being damaged in a heavy flood.

Generations on from being built, the bridge remains a popular public footpath in a very beautiful part of Yorkshire.

Hebden was designated as a conservation area in 2006 by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

In 2006 the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority designated Hebden a conservation area, with the reasons given including its eight buildings of national importance. A report confirming the decision stated: “It is considered that Hebden is special in terms of its architectural and historic interest and that the character and appearance of the village is worthy of protection.”

Technical Information: Nikon D4 camera, 28-70 Nikkor lens, 1/800th sec @ f8 exposure. 400iso.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson