Bingley Five Rise Locks wood used to make Bingley church crosses

Three wooden crosses made from the timber of the locks have now gone on display at All Saints Parish Church, on Old Main Street, in Bingley, thanks to the efforts of local group Bingley & Rural Men's Shed.

Easter crosses made from recycled wood at All Saints Church in Bingley (Image: Newsquest)

Repairs to the Grade I listed Bingley Five Rise Locks involved replacing one of Britain’s tallest sets of lock gates as part of a major restoration maintenance and restoration programme carried out by the Canal & River Trust last year.

The contractor for the project, Gallows Bridge Moorings in Shipley, had the old timber in storage.

Andrew Alderson, the Bradford Council assistant ward officer for Bingley, said: "I approached Gallows Bridge and asked if the wood could be repurposed for to use for community projects.

"They kindly donated the timber," said Mr Alderson.

The Men's Shed install the crosses at All Saints Parish Church (Image: UGC)

The Men's Shed, which was set up in November to help middle-aged and retired men to combat loneliness, then went to work to construct the crosses in time for Easter celebrations at All Saints Parish Church in Bingley.

Mr Alderson explained: "Men tend to talk to each other more when working side by side.

"There are three crosses, one which is eight foot tall, and two that are six feet tall.

Everyone involved in the project were at the unveiling of the Easter crosses (Image: UGC)

The crosses were unveiled at All Saints Parish Church in a special ceremony on Wednesday night recognising all of those involved in the project.

Jon Rhodes, chairman of the Bingley and Rural Men’s Shed, gifted the crosses to the Rev Martyn Weaver, vicar of Bingley Parish Church.

Rev Martyn thanked all those involved in bringing the project to fruition.

He said: "We have been looking to erect some crosses to mark Holy Week for several years, and when wood from the old lock gates from Bingley Five Rise Locks (which is in the parish) became available, it was an ideal way to link the industrial heritage of Bingley, with the old parish church, where those who were working on the locks and canal would no doubt have worshiped.

"It is a fitting tribute to the craftsman involved in creating the locks and the lock gates, and also today the Bingley Men's Shed.

"These new crosses will be a visible tribute to their hard work, as well as helping to mark Holy Week and Easter in Bingley.

"The crosses will be visible each Easter from the main road by All Saints, Bingley Parish Church."