We now know where we are going but how do we get there?
To me the answer is obvious …BY BOAT but we had restricted operations because of the current restrictions so we have to walk.
We set off to walk to Leeds Bridge – a 5-minute walk – it took us an hour! Yvonne’s attention was caught by the variety of photographic opportunities – capturing views from different angles, the richness and variety of architecture – I am looking for “separators”.
I knew about them, but I call them barriers - they prevent people from accessing this environment but that is not always physical.
NO – “I am looking for things that separate.”
I did not understand so left her to it.
Leeds Bridge
We came out onto Leeds Bridge by the side of No.1 Dock Street. The only indication of its origins being ‘Aire and Calder Navigation’ in a frieze above the second floor – not exactly visible. On the bridge we gathered some curious looks as we held up the original image to line it up for the current day version. People stopped and looked over the bridge parapet but there was nothing to see other than still water. No sign of the hustle and bustle from the original scene. The vista was transformed by a single narrow boat appearing round the bend -serenely cutting through the water – where were they going? where had they come from?
We had finally got our images, but Yvonne wanted to capture some documentary photos. On the building alongside the bridge were two notices identifying its heritage. Its role in Louis Le Prince’s movie making and home to the temperance society. No mention of the Aire and Calder Navigation which was the activator for the transformation of Leeds Industrial heritage.
River Lock
A further walk to No.1 lock on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, known as River Lock, to take our second image. It was easy to line up the shot – little had changed but so much had changed. The lock, the river and the dark arches were fixed but new buildings had appeared, the impressive South entrance to Leeds City railway station created a completely different scene.
Swiftly (!!) – “this is slower than a boat journey” moving onto our third location, punctuated by frequent shots.
“This is the kind of thing I would like the young people to take photos of” – textures, objects, flowers… as we wandered along the Calls.
Leeds Dock
The third location was becoming increasingly important to us -we want to change the use of the former lock keepers residential house to an Exploration Hub, enabling people to take a voyage of discovery along the waterways. Currently going through planning change before Canal and River Trust can explore leasing the property to us. There was difficulty however as the photograph had obviously been taken from the opposite bank, which was now private property, having been converted to apartments.
I set off exploring, was this an omen. The property was Roberts Wharf – perhaps my ancestors had connections with the building? More importantly I found Robin, the concierge. I explained what we were doing. His eyes lit up and he started recounting memories of the waterways in days past. “Leeds is so rich in Heritage and Culture.” He gave us a vantage point to take our photographs which clearly demonstrated the change over recent decades. I made comment about the ‘derelict’ ground floor of Roberts Wharf. It clearly showed its heritage through the windows – the walls still lined with their original red brick, the furnace mirroring the mighty chimney stack on the outer building. It is going to be converted to apartments next year. Yvonne could not resist expressing a wish to spend a day documenting it before its transformation.
Knostrop Lock
Back to the car to drive up to Thwaite Mills Industrial Museum to get closer to Knostrop Lock. The museum was closed, the car park gates locked. I turned round and went into the industrial estate but all the roads I went on did not connect with the Navigation until I finally got access by the Trans Pennine cycle way. “It’s about a half mile walk “– “are you alright with that?” The cycle way was busier than our walk through the City.!! Wide enough for cyclists and pedestrians to share the space. We were guided by the “Heritage Trail” celebrating the richness and variety of wildlife and fauna. The walk was slow – there was so much to photograph.
Arriving at our final location – it was again easy to align our shot. Nothing had changed – until you locked closer. The bank opposite had been built on – not the high-rise apartment and restaurants. The new Leeds Boat house which houses the rowing clubs… but how many know that the pontoon from which they launch is the medal platform from the 2012 Olympics – a legacy of Olympic Heritage. Next to it is the Sea Cadets ‘TS Ark Royal’ which came here about 10 years ago when it was displaced from its majestic site on Dam Island – to make way for property development? But making it more difficult to access, by residents from our more disadvantaged communities.
A drive and we were home. I had seen the waterways from a different perspective. I never thought a boat journey would be too quick, but I would have missed so much if I had not been able to look at the view through Yvonne’ eyes.
