Singing in the rain

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 08:40

Onwards from Horbury we go

I choose my words carefully - Horbury is where the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould wrote "Onward Christian Soldiers" and it was first sung in a little mission chapel here.

Mission Chapel Cottage - home of Baring-Gould

Baring-Gould wrote it as a marching hymn for the children

It was reputedly written in 15 minutes and Baring Gould was somewhat apologetic about some of the "faulty lines". His music was not really accepted and it was not until 1871, when Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan) set it to "St Gertrude", that it became a popular hymn.

Baring-Gould was the curate at Horbury from 1864, but sounds a bit of a tartar. He met and fell in love with 16 year old Grace Taylor. She was the daughter of a mill hand and the Reverend sent her to live with a vicar in York to learn some proper manners! They married in 1868 and were married for nearly 50 years - so are good manners a recipe for a long lasting marriage? If you would like to read a "first-hand" account of memories of this time, look here! - fascinating!

Back to today and our story!

We popped over the bridge to the small convenience store for some milk, but did not explore the town up the hill - it has some interesting things, if there is time to stop. The weather was a bit "iffy" - very blustery with heavy showers and we wanted to move on to another mooring where we could stay longer. 

It was sunny when we set off along the long weedy cut beyond Horbury Bridge. Just after the bridge is an old arm that used to connect to the River Calder. It now houses long term moorings, as well as a sanitary station - but steering through the towpath-carrying, narrow bridge, with a gale force wind at 90 degrees, did not appeal.

Ahead of us there was a wide boat approaching

As we hung back, to let him pass in a relatively clear bit, we saw another boat behind us. Perhaps we could share the next locks with them? These locks were the Figure of Three locks, strangely named as there are only two locks! It has been suggested that they are so named because the River Calder bends in a three shape just there - or that the "three" includes the now disused lock down to the River.

Just as we arrived at the bottom of the locks it started to rain, and rain and rain - so much so that I retreated below whilst John walked up to the lock to chat to the boat ahead of us (Nb Chelsea) that were still in the first lock.

The boat behind was a community boat, who pulled in beside us. He was waiting for another boat, so I took Epiphany in. It was very blustery and wet but I did myself proud! The handspike was not needed here - all gear was windlass operated.

I waited in the pound as the top lock was still occupied and then proceeded once the lock was empty again. Oh boy, the wind blew- but the sun was out again!

Looking back at Figure of 3 Top lock

The next lock was Mill Bank Lock - ground paddles were "spike" operated

I waited at the bottom - in the rain and then sun again!

There was a rushing weir just in front of the bows but a judicious bit of clever steering got me into the lock perfectly! I know, pride comes before a fall, but I was proud of myself as I get nervous with fast bywash weirs and wind combined! Epiphany only just fitted in - I had to be diagonal to allow John to close the gate.

Again, photos of handspike operation were necessary - photos and instructions for spikes (follow the links!)

We decided to moor before the next locks, just before the Dewsbury Arm. We had had enough of the weather and the moorings look good. We can walk down the Arm to explore or gongoozle the boats coming down Thornhill Double Locks.

Calder and Hebble Navigation, Horbury to Dewsbury Arm Junction - 1 hour 40 minutes, 2.23 miles, 3 locks