Hebden Bridge & The Upper Calder Valley

Is the area where a particular set of unique circumstances prompted the early origin of a dual economy, combining both primary and secondary economic activity to create the precursors of the much later ‘Industrial Revolution’.

- an area where a long process of ‘conservation by default’ has protected the physical evidence of this period, preventing its obliteration by later economic pressures

- an area with a long tradition of self help and self education, radicalism and social action where local individuals and groups have recorded and safeguarded the histories of these times, building comprehensive but scattered archives which can now be brought together

- an area, today surrounded by a massive and diverse population, all having close connections to the processes which have impacted greatly in many ways on their lives and their habitat.

- an area providing a dramatic scenic setting to this vital heritage...yet one very easily accessible by public or private transport from 5 major city regions of Northern England…
- seven million people within an hour
- twelve within one and a half hours
- and 90% of the population of Britain with three to four hours