Swartha Wood subject of £49,800 study

A two-year investigation into the industrial history, archaeology and ecology of Swartha Wood has been carried out using a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £49,800. The study was conducted by the Bradford Environmental Action Trust, which had identified Swartha Wood as a possibly ancient site. A 1639 document refers to wood from Swartha being used in local coal pits. For a woodland to be designated as ancient, it has to have existed since AD1600. Surveys by Bradford Botany Group show that the wood, which is covered in bluebells and ramsons (wild garlic) in spring, is home to at least 16 plant species known to favour ancient woodland. The picture above shows Brunthwaite beck as it flows through the wood. More spring-time photos can be seen in my posts of May 2014.

Above: The Victorian aqueduct in the heart of  the wood was part of a system constructed to take water from the Dales to Bradford at the height of the industrial revolution. Built in 1858, the aqueduct  is still in use. The name Swartha comes from an Old English word meaning dark ravine.

Above: Ian Butterfield, Forest of Bradford project manager, and Jen Miles, project  manager for Bradford Environmental Action Trust, are pictured at an exhibition at SilsdenTown Hall on June 28 and 29 when their Swartha Wood investigation was explained to the public. Universities and community groups have also been involved in the project. Swartha Wood belonged to Skipton Castle, which sold its Silsden holdings in 1947, whereupon timber merchants moved in and extensively felled local woods, under government licences supporting the post-war recovery. In 1949 Silsden council failed to halt the desecration of Swartha Wood, which it described as one of the most beautiful places in the country. There is still no statutory protection for ancient woods but Jen hopes that the Trust's findings will help to preserve Swartha for future generations. She says that a management plan is needed and that it will be beneficial to reintroduce coppicing. Jen also feels there is probably a lot more to be discovered.

Above: Sunday, July 6, 1256 hours, the Tour de France flies through Silsden. Here the seven leading riders negotiate the bend at Bolton Road End during the 201 km Stage Two from York to Sheffield.

Above: Yorkshire's was acclaimed as the best Grand Depart in the 111-year history of the Tour de France. Millions turned out and the reception in Silsden was as thronged and clamorous as everywhere else.  

Above: the peloton powers through with the German Marcel Kittel in the yellow jersey after winning the 190.5 km Stage One from Leeds to Harrogate, via the Yorkshire Dales, on July 5 .

Above: the route through Silsden from Cringles to the River Aire roundabout was packed with cheering spectators. Here, the break-out group reaches the top of Cringles ready for the downhill dash into town.

Above: the Cringles crowd awaits the arrival of the peloton.

Above: the peloton crests the Cringles ascent from Addingham with Marcel Kittel in the famed yellow jersey.  (Cringles photographs by Beth Liddle.)

Above: Bolton Road End.

Above: Bolton Road.

Above: Sherlock Holmes on the case.

Above: service a le Francais at Cafe Cake in Briggate.

Above: open all hours in Briggate.

Above: balloons filled with rice made good shakers.

Above: Kirkgate eagerly and patiently anticipates the riders.

 Above: Kirkgate at the junction with Howden Road, which was closed to traffic.

Above: the scene on the canal bridge.

Above: Keighley Road from the canal bridge.

Above: daring vantage points on the canal bridge.

Above: the sun shines on Kirkgate.

Above: visitors from Horton-in-Ribblesdale with an attractive decoration.

Above: you never know who you might bump into in Silsden.

Above: an uninterrupted view. 

Above: Aire View School was a feast of colour for the Decorated Bike competition.

Above and below: the year-group winners were Ava Spencer, Harry Hope and Jessica Proctor. The entries were judged by Robin O'Connor, of Ilkley Cycling Club.

Above: just in case you haven't heard. 

Above: a striking elevation.

Above: 'Allo, 'Allo, 'Allo. A Tour de Force, complete with speed gun.

Above: an artistic touch with a clear message.