Mixenden Flats, Halifax, West Yorkshire, England

A.SKINNER, on April 15, 2008, said:

We have passed by here on our way to Wainstalls. Anita.

Ian Stehbens, on April 16, 2008, said:

Delighted it is familiar to you Anita. I am interested in to learn about Wainstalls.

Ian

A.SKINNER, on April 16, 2008, said:

Ian, Wainstalls is a small unassuming Pennine hamlet. At the heart of the village is the woolen mill. If you follow the road past the mill you will find yourself on Castle Carr road. This leads you through beautiful countryside. Just before you reach Dean Head reservoir there is a sharp bend in the road. It was in this area that Castle Carr was built by Capt. Joseph Priestley in 1859. It was in a pseudo- Norman castle used as a shooting lodge. Within the grounds of the Castle was the most amazing fountain that was fed by three reservoirs. It was said to have rivalled the fountain at Versailles. Sadly the castle is in ruins and the lake and fountain are in a bad state. The land that it stands on is private. I have viewed photo's of the site and in it's day it must have been magnificent...Anita

Ian Stehbens, on April 17, 2008, said:

That is so interesting, Anita. And I had no trouble finding the sharp bend in Castle Carr Road, and then seeing something of the fountain, but I presume the ruins of the castle must be concealed in the copse of trees, for I cannot see the ruins. I do not ever remember my geographer friend from Halifax, John Ogden, ever telling me about Castle Carr. He will be disappointed with his student if he did. So thanks for introducing me to something new. Must be something up here on the moors for your to paint or photograph.

Kind regards,

Ian

A.SKINNER, on April 17, 2008, said:

Yes, it was a well hidden secret Ian, my father told me about this place 20 years ago but it was only recently that we re-discovered it. It's so sad that beautiful and interesting buildings like these are allowed to fall in to decay. The Internet site that I viewed the photo's on was called Explorette, I think I typed in search, Castle Carr, Wainstalls. Good photographs but the language was naughty. Ian, the Castle is hidden in the trees. We may return to take some photo's of the surrounding area, unfortunately not of the castle because it's guarded by an angry farmer with a gun and dogs!! :) Anita

Ian Stehbens, on April 20, 2008, said:

Dear Anita,

On the first few sites I found some interesting photos and historical notes (but no naughty words). The images included archaeological barrows, the fountain, doorway to the slode (whatever slode means, I don't know).

And to add to that I have enjoyed some more exploring of the lead mining history above Malham and the Roman and Briton Camps near Malham Tarn, things I was only aware of but didn't know more than that. Any way thank you for being so in love with the landscape of the Dales that I was drawn to go back into my files and upload some of Yorkshire. I have learnt so much just with the maps and GE together, especially as I have delightedly followed your photo locations around the area.

Again thanks.

Ian

A.SKINNER, on April 20, 2008, said:

Ian, there is an interesting ancient settlement very near to Kilnsey village, Skipton. Not sure but I think it's Iron age. I found it when I was investigating the surrounding hills on Google Earth. If you go up Mastiles Lane out of Kilnsey you reach a quarry, opposite, just passed the green fields, you will find the settlement. You need to zoom. Regards Anita

Ian Stehbens, on April 21, 2008, said:

Wow, I've got it, Anita! It took a little while for I was looking on the north side of the vale. But it is interesting and clear. Thankyou, thankyou!!

I was spent a bit of time at British Camp in the Malvern Hills, and got to publish a case study on it. So I am very interested in this one too. Do you happen to know what this one is called, or anything more about it?

And thanks again.

Ian

Ian Stehbens, on April 21, 2008, said:

Dear Anita,

Continuing...

I have spent a little while poring over the area, thanks to your knowledge and encouragement. I am not sure what all the disturbances that I can see are. But I believe there is another ancient settlement near the top of the slope further south, and NW of Netherside School. If this is the case it is suggesting to me a population density greater than I would have expected in this area then. I wonder if they avoided the valley bottoms and the denser forests back then, or were there other settelments down there that used timber for constructing dwellings?

What a privilege we have to be able to explore like this through GE and Panoramio. And Kilnsey is an interesting village setting especially with its backing crag.

You have chosen to live in a delightful corner of the world, Anita.

kind regards,

Ian

The lines of pits in clusters across the moor, could be limestone caves and collapses except that they are too even and too round, so I suspect I am seeing all the lead mine shafts that were dug around here. I think it might be best to stick to roads and established tracks when walking across this moor, for one might just disappear, never to be heard of again.

Ian Stehbens, on November 20, 2008, said:

Wikipedia Mixenden