"It was finished in 1861 to coincide with the Longwood Thump, which was the annual
rush-bearing festival."
There, the popular culture of wakes and
rush-bearing festivals persisted.
The 9ft by 3ft 6in carving depicts scenes from life in Calderdale, including pictures of the M62, rugby league, canal boats,
rush-bearing at Sowerby Bridge, Brighouse Industrial Society, Halifax's Victoria Theatre, the town's railway station, Wainhouse Tower and Shibden Hall.
The carving includes depictions of the M62,
rush-bearing at Sowerby Bridge and the Brighouse Industrial Society.
Many of the old customs, such as
rush-bearing - at the beginning of August rushes were carried to the All Hallows' Church and used to cover the floor to keep the feet of the congregation warm - bull-baiting (Almondbury Common was home to the last bull-baiting performance in the village on August 2, 1824) and dog-fighting have ceased.
Almondbury was famous for its annual
rush-bearing festival, which used to take place in early August.
"The last bull baiting is said to have occurred at the
rush-bearing in 1824, when the animal was brought to town with a band of music."