Hebden Bridge & Heptonstall

Another Preparation Day, another outing....
Last week when we were street contacting with the missionaries we met a woman from Hebden Bridge.  We had never been there.  Actually, we had never heard of it, but Monday we found a walking map that began in this little town and  we decided we would try it.
The weather report was light rain which is so doable.

The trip across the moors included this beautiful site.  These windmills are  owned and operated by Scottish Power and are  an effective way of providing power.

When we arrived at Hebden Bridge we found it was located in the bottom of a ravine.  The drive off the moors and down to the village was beautiful, winding through the forest of trees and ending in this wonderful little town.



The bridge itself is the anchor landmark.  It is 100 years old.

The village has the usual charm of an English town



From Hebden Bridge we walked up the very steep cobblestone road (path) to the tiny settlement of Heptonstall.

The centerfold of the  tiny village is the church.  We just happened on to a little historic ceremony.
The bells pictured below have hung in the church town for 100 years and were wearing out so months ago they took them down and had them all repaired.

The day, in fact the very hour, we showed up they had just unloaded the refurbished bells and were having a little ceremony prior to hanging them in the tower. 

This is the picture that was taken 100 years ago when the bells were first hung.  They reinacted that scene with new people and took more pictures.  There were a smattering of photographers, a group of school children, a few church members and us.  A little bit of history -- and we were there!



You can see that the crowd was not overwhelming.  Perhaps more will show up when they actually lift them into the tower and they begin to ring!!!

This graveyard, located on the church grounds, is home to 15,000 - 18,000 graves.  It is what you call "wall to wall" burials and who knows how many share the same grave.  I hope no one gets trampled on resurrection morning.

Yep, this is Heptonstall!  A church and a postoffice.  Can't buy a quart of milk in the town, but who needs it!

The view of Hebden Bridge in the valley below!

We were stiff and sore for the walking and climbing but it was worth it.  What a day!