Did you know that The Archers theme tune was composed by a man from Heckmondwike?

Or that one of Britain’s most talented and experimental 19th century painters who designed ‘dazzle camouflage’ for the Royal Navy, was born and worked in Cleckheaton?

Both men are included in a new map and guide giving a fascinating insight into Spen Valley’s rich history, and how to discover it for yourself.

Arthur Wood, who was born at a tailor’s shop in Heckmondwike, left school at 12 and found fame as a musician and conductor in London.  The Archer’s theme tune ‘Barwick Green’ is from his composition ‘My Native Heath.’

Painter Edward Wadsworth became a leading influence in the British Vorticist and Surrealist movements. During the Second World War he served in the navy’s Volunteer Reserve, where he transferred the innovative ‘dazzle camouflage’ to ships. His work can be seen across the UK, including at Tate Britain.

The map and guide Out & About in Spen Valley features a comprehensive map with a tour of locations offering an insight into the area’s past, coupled with details of each point of interest, some accompanied by photographs.

It’s based on a street plan, in full colour, and has every footpath, bridleway and cycle greenway marked clearly. It covers the Spen Valley and neighbouring areas such as Birkenshaw, Clifton, Birstall and Wyke.

 

The reverse side gives information about public rights of way and what to do if a footpath is blocked; historic listed buildings and sites of interest; the many Brontë connections in the area, and other famous Spen people.

Sights with a connection to the Bronte sisters include Red House in Gomersal where Charlotte developed settings for her books while visiting family friends, St Peter’s Church in Hartshead, portrayed as Briarmains Church in Charlotte’s novel Shirley.

It’s reputed that the old yew tree trunk in the graveyard once provided wood for Robin Hood’s arrows, and it’s said that Patrick Brontë allowed Luddites killed during the uprisings in 1812 to be buried secretly there, in a corner.

Roe Head, where Charlotte, Anne and Emily attended school and Blake Hall Mirfield, where Anne was a governess, are among the tour locations.

Spen Valley’s historic buildings are detailed in the informative guide - the third edition to be produced and published by Spen Valley Civic Society (SVCS) - including Oakwell Hall in Birstall, Spen Viaduct and Bottoms, Cleckheaton Library and Kirklees Hall.

Statues and monuments feature the memorial to Joseph Priestley, ‘Birstall’s most famous son. Radical thinker and isolator of oxygen’, and Hightown’s elaborately carved Walton Cross, estimated as 11th century.

“One secret gem is the spectacular series of bridges under Heckmondwike’s streets on the Spen Ringway, the disused L.N.W.R. railway line which originally ran from the main line near Battyeford, into Leeds via Wortley.,”

Footpaths, bridleways and the area’s famous Luddite Trail are clearly marked, having been carefully verified by society members and volunteers.

“All paths were marked up on A4 sheets and issued to volunteers to go out and check every yard of every path about 110 miles,” said SCVS member Max Rathmell. “There were 16 survey areas and surveyors had to report any obstruction or other problem plus any informal paths they noticed.

“All the paths were then marked up by hand and sent to our graphic designer. Lots of toing and froing ensued.”

“I was the volunteer surveyor for Oakenshaw and part of Low Moor and was astounded by what I found in an area I'd never walked. Woods, ponds, informal commons etc, all in a very built-up locality with huge industrial developments. No less than 6 large parks and nature reserves. I was amazed by the large pond opposite the Woodlands Pub, which had ducks and a heron fishing for its lunch when I was there.”

“The content was a matter of providing some information about places and buildings of interest  that would be passed by people ‘out and about’. We hold information on at least 200 places of historic interest so we picked out a selection.

“We also took the opportunity to publicise Edward Wadsworth who is largely unknown in Spen Valley but well known globally in the art world. It is also Also a surprising fact that the Archers theme tune was composed by a bloke from Heckie.”

The society hopes people will buy and make use of the map. “We want to draw attention to the many underused paths and increase their use, encourage people to look around where they walk and learn a bit more about their surroundings and make a bit of money so the society can continue to function.”

The map costs £5.  To get a copy, contact the Civic Society via its website www.spenvalleycivicsociety.org.uk  , ring 01274 875262, or visit stockists -  Spen Stationers on Albion St Cleckheaton, Paperland on Northgate Cleckheaton, or the Sunflower Pot cafe on Spen Valley Greenway.