INTERPRETATION BOARDS FOR MELTHAM GREENWAY Meltham Greenway has now the first two interpretation boards in place which depict both the railway heritage and the tractor testing history on this now popular path for people. The Friends of Meltham Greenway was formed a couple of years ago with the aim of enhancing the path and this is the latest venture by the group. The cost will be covered by a grant from the Meltham Hall Fund and from the group's own funds with as much work as possible being done by the members, friends and local companies. The interpretation panels have been created by secretary Mel Gibson who, on the Railway Heritage panel, has traced the history from the building of the railway through the years of operation to the closure and finally the dismantling of Meltham Station.  After the railway track closed part of the track bed was used by David Brown Tractors as their test track.  The David Brown Tractors panel describes the history of tractor manufacture from 1936 to the closure in 1988 and shows many of the range of tractors produced by the company.  The central portion of the panel shows pictures of the actual tractor testing taking place on what are the concrete sections of what is now Meltham Greenway.  Excellent support through photographs and information has been given by the Examiner, the David Brown Tractor Club members and the authors Robert Anderson and Colin Holwell. The design and artwork of the panels was done by Mel's future daughter in law Charlotte Booth who took the task as a challenge since she has not done anything like this kind of work before. A local Meltham man Chris Woodhead, director of Ellm Creative of Horbury Bridge, manufactured the panels which were then provided to Allsops of Honley who designed and built the bespoke display boards.  The finished results are superb which should be a fine enhancement for Meltham Greenway and may well invoke many memories from older meltham Residents when they see this recent history depicted in pictures.  So too should all age groups benefit by learning a little of Meltham's industrial and railway past. Text by Melvyn Gibson 3 July 2010

Photographs by Hazel Gibson -February 2009

In May 2009 our Greenway will have been open for one year.  Ironically, on 21 May 1949, exactly 60 years ago the last passenger train left Meltham station. 

When Meltham Greenway was first conceived the thoughts were of a suitable flat route for both leisure and commuting use.  In fact it has become a peaceful, tree lined haven and provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Walkers can have a mud free ramble, the elderly can walk without the need to climb hills and children can learn to ride their bikes away from traffic.  This is a safe route, in more ways than one, and hundreds of people use our greenway every week.  After the blizzards of 2 February the greenway became a winter wonderland and many came to enjoy the experience of deep snow, bright sunshine and clear blue skies.

After the success of getting Near Lane fully refurbished, the ‘Friends of Meltham Greenway’ have also secured two new litter bins from Kirklees Council which have been placed at the bottom of Near Lane and at the Huddersfield Road end of the Greenway. 

The ‘Friends’ have also secured a grant from Meltham Town Council via the Meltham Hall Fund in order to provide seating at various points along the greenway path and four interpretation boards.  One of these is intended to depict the railway heritage.  The David Brown Tractor Club Ltd have promised to create one which will show the railway track bed being used for tractor testing etc.  The West  Yorkshire Geology Trust are keen to produce a board which will show the special geological features of Folly Dolly Falls and the ‘Friends’ hope to create one which will depict the flora and fauna found on the greenway.

A future project will be to create a shrubbery around the large turning circle complete with a central feature.  (Ideas from the public for this will be welcomed).  The ‘Friends’ also intend to brighten up the greenway next spring with flowers – snowdrops, daffodils etc.

Another group, Sustrans Rangers are doing a sterling job in ensuring the greenway is kept on first class condition.  Picking up litter, cutting back vegetation, sweeping the path and more recently, rebuilding of some of the dry stone walls.  A Sustrans official went away really impressed after his recent first visit to Meltham Greenway.

Text by Melvyn Gibson - March 2009

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