Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: Healey_Dell

The picturesque deep valley of Healey Dell has one or two cascades like this. This small river can be very lively especially after storms. It was extensively used for the old small factories that were built along its banks including the small munitions factory not far from here, all now long gone.

Healy Dell in Rochdale is the setting for this bench. It is situated by the old railway line, now the National Cycle Network route 92. It depicts a likeness (perhaps) of one of the old engines pulling first passengers and then coal, up to the 1960s on the now defunct Rochdale to Bacup Railway Line. HBM, enjoy the week

Healey Dell, a small beauty spot in the Lancashire town of Rochdale is our venue here. We are walking along the old railway line that is now quite overgrown around this linear path. Just beyond our view here, this path runs runs over a large high viaduct. PiP Have a good weekend.

Within a narrow gorge known as “The Thrutch” within Healey Dell nature reserve and now overshadowed by the viaduct hides a pool and waterfall, before the flood of 1838 which destroyed it, it also contained a cavern in the rock which had a pulpit, reading desk and seats, formed by the action of the water. This is still known as the Fairies Chapel. In local folklore the Chapel was formed when the King of the Fairies, aiding Robert of Huntingdon to overcome a curse, turned a local coven of witches to stone. “There” the King said, “practice your unholy rites. There you have a chapel for your evil worship. And long may it be ere any mortal be so foolish as to seek you out in your wicked den.” In overcoming the witches, Robert was forced to sacrifice his uncle’s ring which was the only proof of his claim to the title of Huntingdon and thus took his first step towards his destiny as the outlaw Robin Hood. The Fairies Chapel enters folklore once more during the reign of Edward IV (1461-1470) when Ralph the Miller enticed Eleanor Byron (the betrothed of Oliver Chadwyke) to the Fairies Chapel in return for his own soul. Having himself been tricked into entering the Chapel whilst poaching, Ralph agreed to the exchange and set about a plan to convince Eleanor that he could make her “true love” appear to her. Eleanor having been betrothed to Oliver since childhood questioned whether her future husband was the man for her, so agreed to go fortune hunting with the miller. Having (at Ralph’s instruction) cast a token into the River Beal to carry her summons to her “one true love” she went to the Fairies Chapel at the appointed time, only to be confronted by the evil fairies intent on capturing her soul in exchange for immortality. With her soul in mortal danger, her true love was indeed summoned to her and Oliver came to her rescue, breaking the spell which bound her. The tale of Eleanor and Oliver was not to end happily, however. It was fortold that Eleanor would be “Maid, wife and widow, in one day!” and this came to pass when on return from their wedding the Traffords with whom the Chadwykes had a feud attacked slaying Oliver during the battle. Enjoy full screen.

I imagine the makers of this nice bench with the metal backrest and motifs had not thought about the English youth obsession to leave their mark on everything they can. Such are our times. Can’t say I approve, but who am I to say! Seen on our recent walk around Healey Dell. This was near the Fairies Chapel, but I cannot find any more info about it Enjoy full screen. Have a great day.

A trip to the local beauty spot of Healy Dell Nature Reserve in Rochdale brought us to this lone 340 year old bridge. This was one of a pair here called ‘The Thrutch Bridges’ but known locally as the Fairy bridges. The other was washed away in a severe storm in December 2015. The two bridges were never foot bridges at all though, but supported an external wall of the Fulling Mill built in 1676, long since gone. Enjoy full screen.