The Luddites Trail.

The Luddite Trail comprises two parts which together commemorate the route taken be the Luddite marchers from the Dumb Steeple to Cartwright's Mill at Rawfolds, Liversedge, on the night of 11/12 April 1812.

Today we did the second part of the walk with friends K&A.
Starting from their house, which just happened to be near the path way.

The collage shows the Waymarking discs. The image on the disc represents two crossed sledgehammers, called Enochs. These were carried be the Luddite hammermen to smash the hated cropping frames. The hammers were manufactured by Enoch & James Taylor of Marsden who also made the cropping frames.
The saying was:

" Enoch did make 'em and Enoch shall break 'em."

The main photo is the statue constructed by the Spen Valley Civic Society of a cropper with his shears. You can see how enormous they were.

The Shears Inn is where they met to discuss the attack.

The other photo is all that is left of Walton Cross, which was 16 foot high and brightly coloured . Situated on the Calder/Spen watershed and occupying a commanding position it would have been visible for miles around. It is probably a Wagestan the Anglo- Saxon word for waymarker.
All four sides are carved with complex Celtic designs.

The walk was 5 miles. Half way round we called at a farm cafe for coffee and cakes. I had a delicious vanilla slice!

What an enjoyable walk which we all enjoyed. Some places we had not seen before, and on the doorstep.
So much history still to explore in our area.
A great day out, and finished back at K and A's for a very hearty beef stew and Yorkshire Puddings. Yummy!

More info. HERE