Calderdale Way Walks
An Old Man's Tale
Heptonstall to Pecket Well
A dark, dank start sustaining a torrent of rain. It is like we have missed a whole
season. Summer is here but I would have been more comfortable with gloves, scarf
and woolly hat. I had taken the 10.02 fifty pence express to Hebden Bridge. The
connecting bus E lifts you up to Heptonstall. From the bus stop return to Towngate
and turn right into Northgate between the houses. Soon you will see signs on the
right for Heptonstall Octagon Church built in 1764. The oldest Methodist chapel
with an active congregation. John Wesley spread the gospel, bearing witness on many
occasions and saving souls. Designed as an ecclesiastical symbol of regeneration
where there would be no corner for the devil to stash his wares. Wesley preached
to the multitude. Now a dozen older female disciples keep it ticking over.
As you proceed down Northgate the guides and maps provide few hints as to the proper
course. Sheltering under an umbrella buffeting in the gale the sodden guides could
not relieve the confusion. Consultations with local residents fared no better. We
could not locate the Stocks Villas , the pointer to the correct route. Exasperated,
soaked and bleak I took the wrong direction.
Turning right at the first footpath sign skirting the chapel. The next few hours
consumed by sliding and skidding down as I traversed the wooded valley. Mesmerised
by the warren of 30 miles of interlocking paths. The tight contours and congested
features of our map offered no exit from the maze. Squandered energy frittered away
traipsing the Gibson Mill estate. A green sustaining sanctuary alongside the beck
and site of the former water mill dance hall and skating rink. By default I stumbled
back on to the Calderdale Way at New Bridge. Within the site of the toilet block
offering blessed relief with all functions performing. At this venue, drained and
bushed the day was aborted.
I returned to Heptonstall a few days later with Carolyn, an avid map reader, navigator
and all round cobber. At North Gate proceed past the Octagonal Chapel. Ignore the
first public footpath sign and continue to the first public bridleway sign going
down on your right. As you descend you will see Stocks Villas on the left. Carry
on down past stone cottages into the woods as it opens up into a wide track. Avoid
the fork track to your right and go ahead downhill until you meet the tarmac road.
Proceed straight across down through the woods. It is sign-posted Calderdale Way
to Midgehole but you need to search carefully to find it.
Continue over a tarmac track. Here there is a direction arrow for Hardcastle Crags.
The wooded Pennine valley known as “Little Switzerland” and home to the hairy wood
ant. You may spot native ramblers walking the crags. You can hear Hebble Water rushing
on your right. At the side of the stream carry on beyond the weir on your right.
Coming out of the woods a clearing emerges by the Blue Pig. This working men’s club
has benches and picnic tables at the waterside. We lunched and bathed in sunshine
alongside sleeping ramblers as they wallow in a state of post luncheon repose. Follow
the track on to Horse Bridge past the house on your left christened New Bridge.
Proceed beyond the built-in post box and over New Bridge to the toilet block on
your left.
Immediately after the toilets turn left up a walled lane. There is a wooden sign
confirming this is the Calderdale Way. After about 30 metres follow the path as
directed to Pecket Well on the left. A strenuous climb leads to the track levelling
off. The path is torn up by motor-bikes cutting up a soggy potage. Continue over
a stream at Kitling Bridge and clamber up a cobbled way. On reaching a junction
go left upwards on a stone path emerging on the Hebden Bridge – Keighley bus route
(A6033). Cross over into an overgrown path with directions marked on a telegraph
pole. Progress beyond the benches to the road above called Ackroyd Lane. I have
the sense that this is the longest 1 ½ miles I have ever walked. Looking back you
can observe the Wadsworth War Memorial for Pecket Well. It is a diminutive replica
of Stoodley Pike.
A day of rural retreat concluded at Pecket Well by the descent down the highway
to Hebden Bridge for the train back home. Not a good move as lack of pavements required
clutching to walls as frenzied drivers rush by; their internal combustion fumes
and vibrations suck out your hard earned tranquillity.