The Changing Face of Settle

Those who have walked to the top of Castlebergh will know that the effort is well worthwhile. There is a splendid view of Settle from the top. From the flagpole one looks straight down Cheapside and Kirkgate to the railway bridge and beyond. One of the Horners evidently thought much the same and, fortunately for us, recorded that view on a photographic plate. The original plate is now in the possession of Ken Jelley who has prepared from it the print shown here. For comparison, the image below it was taken in 2005. Michael Horner, having been commercially active since 1864, died in 1869 and Anthony then took over the business at the age of 16. We therefore cannot be certain of the date the photograph was taken but it is reasonable to assume that it was taken in the 1864 - 1869 period. It is interesting to observe the changes that have occurred during those near 140 years. The most obvious is of course the absence of the railway and the bridge over Kirkgate built in or shortly after 1869. Also striking is the dearth of people and vehicles of any sort in the early picture. A likely explanation is that the exposure time then required to produce the image was a long one so that anything moving failed to be recorded. It is also possible that the photograph was taken early in the morning before many people and vehicles were about. The lighter appearance of the roads is presumably accounted for by the absence of a tarmacadam or asphalt surface.

Other features of interest are the extensive gardens at the back of Ashfield (now a car park), the abundant trees in the background (some completely obscuring the Friends Meeting House), and the altered appearance of Back Stables Yard (partly visible on the lower extreme left). Many of the buildings have undergone changes - see, for example, the 17th century building (now a florists) in Cheapside, then with a flight of steps leading to a balcony on the first floor (only the balcony door now remains), and the complete rebuilding of the property next door in High Street. The buildings around the far side of the Market Place are relatively unchanged (apart from the recently altered frontage of the Royal Oak and the increased height of what is now Car and Kitchen). Also evident is the current use of the Market Place as a car park.

Fortunately for us however (and thanks to the efforts of those who resisted the developments proposed in the early 1960's), one of the most remarkable things is how so much has been retained in this central part of Settle below Castlebergh.

Acknowledgements