The Tragic Story Behind the Birchcliffe Chapel Memorial Window

The stained glass window at Birchcliffe Chapel memorializing Ada Harwood represents one of the most tragic accidents in the history of the Blake Dean trestle bridge. This remarkable memorial tells a story of industrial ambition, safety negligence, and community remembrance that has endured for over a century.

The Blake Dean Trestle Bridge

The Blake Dean railway was constructed between 1900-1901 to transport workers, equipment, and materials from a temporary settlement near Heptonstall to the construction sites of three new reservoirs at Walshaw Dean for Halifax Corporation. The centrepiece of this engineering feat was an extraordinary wooden trestle bridge - 700 feet long and 105 feet high - designed by architect William Henry Cockcroft and built by local carpenter George Greenwood.

This impressive structure quickly became a tourist attraction, earning recognition as "the eighth wonder of the world" locally and drawing hundreds of visitors who walked across it for the thrilling sensation of looking down from such a great height. The bridge was constructed entirely of pitch pine timber and represented a remarkable engineering achievement for its time.

The Fatal Accident of May 28, 1909

On a tragic Friday evening in May 1909, Ada Harwood met her death in circumstances that shocked the entire Hebden Bridge community. Ada, aged 50, was staying at High Greenwood boarding house above Heptonstall with her husband Edgar, her 16-year-old nephew George A. Smith, and her business partner Miss Mary Ann Edith Milnes. The group had been enjoying a short holiday before embarking on a planned pleasure trip to Norway.

After tea, the party decided to take a walk to the trestle bridge, which was only a few minutes from their accommodation. Like countless visitors before them, Ada and her nephew stepped into one of the bridge's recesses to better appreciate the spectacular view over Blake Dean. George Smith, expressing concern about the structure's safety, asked his aunt, "Do you think it safe, auntie?"

Ada replied that it was safe, having no knowledge of the danger beneath her feet. To test the platform's strength, she "sprang on tiptoe" or "prised" on her toes. At that instant, the wooden platform gave way. The timber cracked and collapsed, sending part of the structure plummeting into the stream below - and Ada fell with it.

 George Smith found himself clinging desperately to the railing with no foothold, his walking stick falling through the gap into the gulf below. Ada's body was found on a grassy plot beside the stream, her injuries described as "fearful" and "indescribable". She had likely struck the bridge framework during her fall, causing instant death before reaching the ground.

Safety Failures and the Inquest

The investigation revealed significant safety negligence that contributed to this tragedy. At the coroner's inquest, the contractors' foreman testified that warning notices had been erected at both ends of the bridge stating: "Notice: no person allowed on these works or tramway except workmen on business. Others will be prosecuted".

However, these crucial safety warnings were repeatedly torn down by visitors, and no additional measures were taken to prevent unauthorized access. The inquest jury, chaired by Abraham Moss (who would later meet his own tragic end), found no criminal negligence but made important recommendations: the warning signs should be replaced and, if possible, barricades should be erected at weekends when no work trains were operating.

The Memorial Window

Following Ada's death, the local community rallied to create a lasting memorial. Just over a year after the tragedy, in 1910, a magnificent stained glass window was installed in Birchcliffe Baptist Chapel, paid for by donations from the congregation. The window was positioned in the far corner where the Harwood family sat, serving as both a memorial and a testament to the importance of community at Birchcliffe Chapel.

The window depicts a reproduction of William Holman Hunt's famous 1854 painting "The Light of the World", showing Christ holding a lantern and knocking at a door, based on Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me". This was described as "the first window of its character to be installed in the church" and was noted as "a remarkably beautiful reproduction of the marvellous picture".

The choice of Hunt's "Light of the World" for Ada's memorial was particularly poignant, as this painting had become one of the most reproduced and beloved religious images of the Victorian era. Hunt's work represented hope, salvation, and divine presence - themes that would have brought comfort to a grieving community.

Ada Harwood: A Life Remembered

Ada Harwood (née Townsend) was a prominent member of the Hebden Bridge community. Born in 1859, she operated a successful dressmaking and millinery business in partnership with Mary Ann Edith Milnes from premises on Market Street. The Harwoods lived at Hurst Dene on Birchcliffe Road, an impressive five-bedroom house that testified to Edgar's successful shuttle tip manufacturing business.

Ada's deep commitment to Birchcliffe Chapel was reflected in the minister's tribute at her funeral: "Her loyalty to the church of Jesus was the most conspicuous feature in a character notable for many admirable traits". Even in death, she remained connected to her community - despite the May weather, "throughout the funeral obsequies rain poured down. Blinds were drawn in cottage and villa alike showing sympathy and respect".

The Bridge's End and Lasting Legacy

The Blake Dean trestle bridge suffered a fire on July 22, 1906, when sparks from a steam locomotive ignited the wooden structure, causing £30 worth of damage. The bridge was quickly repaired and remained in use until the reservoir construction was completed. On May 22, 1912, it was sold by auction and dismantled, its timber recycled elsewhere. Today, only the stone foundations remain visible in Blake Dean, like "strange remnants of a prehistoric age".

The memorial window survived far longer than the bridge that claimed Ada's life. Over 120 years later, the stained glass continues to require restoration work, with the glass having started to shift and buckle, particularly at the bottom. Previous repairs used concrete rather than proper restoration techniques, and the single-pane glass allows significant heat loss[current funding application].

Aftermath and Community Impact

The tragedy had profound effects beyond the immediate loss. Less than three months after Ada's death, Edgar Harwood married Mary Ann Edith Milnes - Ada's business partner who had been present at the accident and had been living with the couple. This rapid remarriage shocked the community and added another layer of complexity to an already tragic story.

The accident also prompted broader discussions about industrial safety and public access to dangerous construction sites. The Blake Dean bridge tragedy became a cautionary tale about the need for proper safety barriers and enforcement of warning notices, particularly at popular tourist attractions.

Today, the Birchcliffe Chapel memorial window stands as more than just a remembrance of Ada Harwood's tragic death. It represents the resilience of community bonds, the Victorian era's industrial ambitions and their human costs, and the enduring power of faith to provide comfort in times of grief. The current restoration efforts ensure that this beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship will continue to tell Ada's story for future generations, preserving both the memory of a life lost and the lessons learned from a preventable tragedy.

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