Home
Last year, Paulus, Paul Hornby, Mikki and I, visited the Bridestones, above Todmorden. Many of you will know of the Bridestones, and may be aware that the site was used for weddings and handfastings, in the not too distant past. Outdoor weddings of this type were usually heavily pagan flavoured, and likely seen by the rustic participants as the ‘real’ wedding. The church affair being a sideshow.
The xtian clergy weren’t too happy about this carry on, so they sought to curtail the pagan ceremonies, by vandalistically toppling one of the stones; the Groom stone, leaving the Bridestone, standing.
Whilst Paulus, was doing his usual thing; that is measuring and meticulously inspecting every stone in sight, even though he has done so many times before, (he’s frightened of missing anything) Paul Hornby, and I were parked above the stones chatting about the pagan weddings that used to happen there. A pleasant lady who was walking her dogs nearby, overheard our discussion, and informed us that the spot is still used for weddings, and that a friend of hers had been married at the Bridestone, just over a year earlier.
I recently learned that a local pagan group is planning a day out at the site in April, and recalling the information that the dog walking lady provided, it occurred to me that the re erection of the Groom stone, would be an interesting project; and far from an impossible one.
Modern equipment and engineering would enable the Groom stone, to be replaced, at no outrageous cost, if all other legal and administrative matters could be dealt with. Obviously the local authorities and the landowners would need to be on side, and to this end certain advantages of the re erection of the stone could be highlighted.
The site is already well utilised. Close to the Calderdale Way, it is one of the path's favoured landmarks. Also,it is a favourite amble of local dog walkers. If you type ‘the Bridestones’ into google, you’ll get a lot of links to rock climbing sites, as the spot is favoured by climbers due to it’s interesting ‘boulder problems’. (short pitches used for training) So it’s hardly a little used, or barred location. In fact it is effectively already a tourist favoured location. If the re erection of the Groom, were to be mooted, and the media involved, the consequent boost to tourism could be of considerable benefit to local businesses. I have no doubt that pagan and other interested groups worldwide, could be activated to support the project via the internet. It is even probable that the project could be funded wholly by donations.
Anyway, the purpose of this thread is to gather information at this stage. So if you have any information AT ALL about the Bridestones, such as links, documents etc, please post them. Better still if you know of anyone living in the area who may be interested in the idea, then please put them in touch with me.
davedeerave@yahoo.co.uk
Joy and Blessings
The xtian clergy weren’t too happy about this carry on, so they sought to curtail the pagan ceremonies, by vandalistically toppling one of the stones; the Groom stone, leaving the Bridestone, standing.
Whilst Paulus, was doing his usual thing; that is measuring and meticulously inspecting every stone in sight, even though he has done so many times before, (he’s frightened of missing anything) Paul Hornby, and I were parked above the stones chatting about the pagan weddings that used to happen there. A pleasant lady who was walking her dogs nearby, overheard our discussion, and informed us that the spot is still used for weddings, and that a friend of hers had been married at the Bridestone, just over a year earlier.
I recently learned that a local pagan group is planning a day out at the site in April, and recalling the information that the dog walking lady provided, it occurred to me that the re erection of the Groom stone, would be an interesting project; and far from an impossible one.
Modern equipment and engineering would enable the Groom stone, to be replaced, at no outrageous cost, if all other legal and administrative matters could be dealt with. Obviously the local authorities and the landowners would need to be on side, and to this end certain advantages of the re erection of the stone could be highlighted.
The site is already well utilised. Close to the Calderdale Way, it is one of the path's favoured landmarks. Also,it is a favourite amble of local dog walkers. If you type ‘the Bridestones’ into google, you’ll get a lot of links to rock climbing sites, as the spot is favoured by climbers due to it’s interesting ‘boulder problems’. (short pitches used for training) So it’s hardly a little used, or barred location. In fact it is effectively already a tourist favoured location. If the re erection of the Groom, were to be mooted, and the media involved, the consequent boost to tourism could be of considerable benefit to local businesses. I have no doubt that pagan and other interested groups worldwide, could be activated to support the project via the internet. It is even probable that the project could be funded wholly by donations.
Anyway, the purpose of this thread is to gather information at this stage. So if you have any information AT ALL about the Bridestones, such as links, documents etc, please post them. Better still if you know of anyone living in the area who may be interested in the idea, then please put them in touch with me.
davedeerave@yahoo.co.uk
Joy and Blessings
but I am currently studying archaeology at university and have been brought up by my pagan momma 
ever since I was old enough to appreciate walking and the landscape I have been fascinated by the bridestones 
I know many local stories about the area and am currently studying the area to attempt to understand its history