Taking steps to protect our countryside

More than 120 walkers set off on Sunday, September 30th, to demonstrate how much they care for Silsden's threatened countryside. They are pictured above during a wet and blustery moment in the fields from Hawber Cote Drive to Hawber Lane. The dry-stone wall dividing the two fields is roughly on the line of a proposed new road on farmland from beyond Brown Bank Lane to Hawber Cote Lane, where Silsden's new primary school is to be built. The 'enabling' road would pave the way for ultimately 1,000 homes to be built on these fields.

Caroline Whitaker (left) and Cathy Liddle (right), who jointly started the Campaign for the Countryside, lead the walkers along Hawber Cote Drive.

The campaigners head for the first stile.

 One day all this could be housing unless Bradford council decides otherwise.

Walkers gather in Brown Bank Lane at the footpath by Raikes House Farm. The proposed 'enabling' road, starting in Bolton Road almost opposite another likely housing estate, will cross Brown Bank Lane just below Raikes House Farm on its destructive route to Hawber Cote Lane.

 Walkers of all ages took part.

Rebecca Whitaker (with white shoulder bag), of Silsden, one of the Craven ward's three Bradford councillors, joined the walkers. After the demonstration, tea and home-made cakes were served at the Town Hall by the campaign group. The housing threat is the subject of my posts of August 24th and July 17th.

Farmhouse still happily a family home after 400 years

Ashwell House (pictured above) is possibly the earliest surviving building in the Brunthwaite conservation area. For over 300 years a succession of Thomas Greens and Jeremiah Greens reportedly farmed the 120 or so acres at Ashwell House, which, according to a Keighley News interview with Thomas Green in 1927, was built in 1610.  

The Green farming connection ended many years ago but Ashwell House continues as a much-loved family home. The present owners are Lucy and Alex Pickard, who moved to Brunthwaite about seven years ago. They live at Ashwell House with their young daughter and son. Alex and Henry are pictured above. 

This gathering of the great and the good of Silsden's Primitive Methodist Chapel is pictured at Ashwell House in 1902. Thomas Green, who died in 1932 aged 83, had been a Primitive Methodist local preacher for more than 60 years. Services were held regularly at Ashwell House during his time there.  Photograph from the late Neil Cathey's collection.

The Green family featured their farmhouse as a Christmas card in 1909. The wording above the picture reads: Mr and Mrs Green send hearty Xmas greetings and best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year. This original card is from the late Neil Cathey's collection. 

Brunthwaite was designated a conservation area in 1977. An assessment in 2005 said Ashwell House and Sycamore Farm, part of which can be seen on the right, dated from the 18th century and were likely to be the earliest surviving buildings. Ashwell House was described as being built in 1739, the date inscribed on a doorway jamb, which could have come from elsewhere if Thomas Green's assertion about the 17th century origin of Ashwell House was correct. Other photographs of Brunthwaite are featured in my blog of May 15th, 2014. 

Shear fear as vicar gets a fund-raising close shave

Vicar David Griffiths has decided to do things by halves in support of the £300,000 mission to develop the St James' Church community hall. He is pictured on Saturday, September 22nd, making a cutting remark in response to the sharp end of mobile hairdresser Leanne Newsome's outsized scissors. To promote the church's fund-raising Project 200+, David is wearing his hair and beard half cut on one side until he starts getting comical comments. Making up a holy trimity with David after volunteering for a hair-raising new look are 14-year-old Simon Anderson and well-known local dog- walker Adam Harper. Simon's hair, uncut for six years, was almost down to his elbows. His and newly-bald Adam's hair is being donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs to children and young adults who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment and other illnesses.

St James' Church has set itself the task of raising around £300,000 to modernise the community hall. An architect's impression is shown above. Project 200+ signifies that the hall opened in 1820 and is being upgraded to fit it for the next 200 years. The hall is used weekly by around 500 adults and children from local community groups. A short film showcasing the project is being made and will include interviews with people young and old who have used the hall over the years. Work is due to take place during school summer holidays next year.