There was little that was glorious about it.

It started with rain, and continued for pretty well the whole of the day.

While for the majority of us it meant yet another wretched day, there was at least respite for the residents of one of Calderdale's largest estates.

The Glorious Twelth signals the start of the grouse shooting season and for 150 years the skies above the Walshaw and Lancashire Estate at Hebden Bridge have normally been sprayed with lead shot.

This year, however, the guns were silent, the grouse merrily going about their business, and estate managers left kicking their heels while the birds, which are still undersized, reach full maturity.

Unfortunately for the red grouse that inhabit the moorland this is only a temporary respite. As soon as they are big enough the shooters will be allowed in. That is how it has been for 150 years.

Even the rain will not save them.

Just like a few rays of sunshine will not rescue this miserable excuse for a summer.