SHEPLEY – BELIEVE IT ………. or NOT!
Eventually I realised that much of the information had been passed down from generation to generation and the sources of this knowledge were quickly disappearing as they passed away in old age. Very little had been logged or properly recorded. Over the years I had accumulated some hard copy information and I determined that when I had time in retirement, I would start to record this information and detail, as a record for future generations. So the seed of my first book had been sown. After 5 years of investigation and research, numerous interviews with the remaining long standing residents, sifting through records, documents and old books, raids to cellars and attics, I had enough proof to write my book. Some 52000 words, 400 photographs on 250 pages and more than £12000 later, four pallets of 750 books filled my garage. Now, just 3 years later, only a handful of copies remain and amazingly only two further small pieces of information have been forthcoming.
The book is the intriguing story of the development and survival of a small Pennine village. With a history going back to pre-Roman days there are fascinating details of how the village has suffered and progressed and how entrepreneurs, sheer hard work and true Yorkshire grit have made this such a pleasant place to live in the 21st Century. Despite heavy industry and quarrying developments, the village is still surrounded by beautiful countryside which can be accessed by any of its 2000 or so residents, within a minute or two of leaving home. FOR SALE signs do not usually stay for long outside local houses!
More of a sectioned story than a detailed history, the book aims to encourage the Reader to ask did that really happen in my village; to help generate pride in where you live; as well as providing accurate and intriguing historical detail of the place you call home. The majority of detail is fact; some is still rumour but is very likely to be fact; and there are still a few unanswered questions!
SHEPLEY….. a village straddling a major road, with quality stone houses and buildings, a range of shops, many local organisations and activities and surrounded by attractive countryside with the rolling Pennine hills as a background.
Today’s visitors probably consider this desirable village to be home to many commuters who work in neighbouring towns. This is partly true but there are also a surprising number of active and successful businesses in the area. Many residents love the village and remain for many years, enjoying the easy access to the pleasant surrounding fields and woods; joining some of the many village organisations and sports activities; appreciating the excellent quality school and medical facilities; or because of the fine community spirit – or just because it is a good and friendly place to live.
This has not always been the case. The area was active even before Roman times and has had an intriguing development ever since. The Lane Head area has been a major interchange of routes and is very likely to be the meeting place of several ley lines as used by the Roman travellers. It has been crossed by travellers for many centuries.
Agriculture has featured as a main source of activity and income for centuries. This led to the development of the home based woollen and weaving industries. Local resources were used to develop the quarrying and stone industries; quality Pennine water was used in the woollen trade, in the famous local breweries and today in the bottled water industry. Entrepreneurs seized opportunities and Shepley also became famous for its tailoring trade and “higglers”. The arrival of the railway in 1850 was a major boost to the prospects and economy of the area. Successful businesses, prosperous businessmen, large quality houses, fame as a centre of music excellence and Shepley was labelled as “The richest village in England!”
Connections with the monks of Roche Abbey; a probable visit from Oliver Cromwell; a complicated history of the Lords of the Manor; an important Quaker Meeting House; a visit from the Luddites; plus the occasional ghost story – this book probably raises more questions than answers but it is still hard to believe that so many interesting things have happened in our little village.
However, the Author holds up his hands – history was certainly not his favourite subject at school. As a non - historian writing about local history, there is likely to be someone who knows more about a particular subject. I am certainly not an expert. Then, this becomes my book, my research, my thoughts, my opinions and my words. Therefore, any mistakes or errors become my responsibility. I am passionate about Shepley and have tried to unearth details, provide facts and historical information that may otherwise have been lost for ever. If the reader finds the detail as interesting, even fascinating, and enjoyable as I have whist doing the research, then I shall be a very happy Author.
It is also important to stress that none of this would have been possible without considerable help from numerous people. Some of the things hidden in lofts and cellars are truly amazing! I have been privileged, often as a stranger, to be invited into people’s homes and to be loaned treasures and unique items, as well as being trusted with documents, photographs and confidential information. I am relieved that I have covered the costs involved; I have been overwhelmed with kindness and encouragement; I have done my best not to let anyone down.
The job satisfaction is the pleasure that readers have gained and the feeling that the end result is useful and worthwhile; photographs that include relatives that have not been seen before; bringing together forgotten relations and friends; as well as answering previously unsolved mysteries; Shepley schoolchildren using the book as part of their studies. The lady who told my wife: ‘I take your husband to bed with me every night!’ was a somewhat unexpected bonus!
I was warned that writing a book was like a difficult birth, with so much pain and problems that you had wished you had never started – but the end result is worth it! I hope that you think so too……….
