The South Pennines covers the hill country between Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, easily accessible but less well known than other walking hot spots. This is an area of high moorland with deep, often wooded valleys and drained by fast-flowing rivers such as the Colne and Calder.Early textile industry took place in isolated farms and small collections of houses dotted around the countryside, where income from farming often marginal land was supplemented by handloom weaving; the workshops often ran along the top storey of a terrace of cottages with the typical rows of mullioned windows.There were so many of these isolated settlements with people needing to travel between them and to the cloth markets, such as Halifax’s magnificent PIece Hall, that there is a dense network of footpaths, so inviting for exploration on foot.Later, textile production moved to water-driven mills, now abandoned but providing a unique landscape as they are being reclaimed by nature, such as at Crimsworth Dene or Healey Dell. Steam power using the plentiful water and coal resources meant that huge factories could be built for textile production; these are themselves now being adapted for other uses, including housing such as the Titanic Mill at Slaithwaite.Stuart and his wife Jean spent many hours walking the paths and byways of this magical area, with Stuart’s camera recording the many beautiful and interesting sights they encountered. This book is a testament to a couple’s love of rambling for almost 40 years in the magical South Pennines.
Stuart Paulley is a retired teacher in his late-seventies. He started taking photographs when he was 10 and since then has always taken his camera while out walking, with his camera slung over his chest like a dog walker will often carry the lead. His camera for 50 years was a Zenit-B SLR and it was only the difficulty of getting slide film processed in the pandemic that made him (reluctantly!) go digital.
Stuart is an “incomer” to the South Pennines and finds great interest in the unique combination of natural beauty and mankind’s influence in this wonderful area.
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Reviews
8 reviews
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In Walking the Camera in the South Pennines, Stuart has assembled an eclectic selection of photographs through the seasons, colours, landscapes and textures that constitute the nature, wildlife and human intervention across the South Pennines. The accompanying personal and reflective commentary supplement the photography to provide a relaxing meander through the delights of the South Pennines, perhaps of particular interest to others who have also trodden Stuart’s tracks. A delightful pictorial stroll through the South Pennines with a gentle, chatty walking companion.
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In Walking the Camera in the South Pennines, Stuart has assembled an eclectic selection of photographs through the seasons, colours, landscapes and textures that constitute the nature, wildlife and human intervention across the South Pennines. The accompanying personal and reflective commentary supplement the photography to provide a relaxing meander through the delights of the South Pennines, perhaps of particular interest to others who have also trodden Stuart’s tracks. A delightful pictorial stroll through the South Pennines with a gentle, chatty walking companion.
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I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have read so far. Plus I was lucky enough to get a signed copy.
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I have enjoyed what I have read so far plus I was lucky enough to get a signed copy.
A very relaxing read!
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I have known Jean and Stuart for decades. Long ago I became the tutor of a night class on The Local History of Oldham and remained so for some 36 years. My diary tells me that we first met on the 25th of September 1986. Jean’s untimely death caused the class much sadness.
Both were enthusiastic members lending their knowledge and expertise gladly and giving us their constant commitment. Each year their photographs attached to card provided the class with a plethora of greeting cards and the donations the class made helped them to continue to support a Leonard Cheshire Home. It has been a delight to receive a request to review Stuart’s collection of photos and text.
This excellent book combines Stuart’s love of the outdoors, his photographer’s eye, his interest in the history of the area and his willingness to leave the beaten track…..yet with a canny knowledge of the location of the nearest cafe!
The result is a delight to the eye and ought to be a temptation to put on your bucket list; a Paulley photo crawl. It will be good for your health and for your soul!
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In Walking the Camera in the South Pennines, Stuart has assembled an eclectic selection of photographs through the seasons, colours, landscapes and textures that constitute the nature, wildlife and human intervention across the South Pennines. The accompanying personal and reflective commentary supplement the photography to provide a relaxing meander through the delights of the South Pennines, perhaps of particular interest to others who have also trodden Stuart’s tracks. A delightful pictorial stroll through the South Pennines with a gentle, chatty walking companion.
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In Walking the camera in the South Pennines, Stuart has assembled an eclectic selection of photographs through the seasons, colours, landscapes and textures that constitute the nature, wildlife and human intervention across the South Pennines. The accompanying personal and reflective commentary supplement the photography to provide a relaxing meander through the delights of the South Pennines, perhaps of particular interest to others who have also trodden Stuart’s tracks. A delightful pictorial stroll through the South Pennines with a gentle, chatty walking companion.
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Not one to be called an avid book reader, I was captured by the beautiful photos and accompanying text.
Stuart has included enough text to whet my appetite for more. The warmth and personal way he has written the narrative gives an insight not only into the character of the area but also of the man himself.
An excellent, consise, yet deep work on many levels.
Andrew Luxford
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