Beautiful Lancashire

[jizzybloke]

Originally Posted by Mathos

Imagine waking up to the sound of the water cascade every morning..

It'd make me need to piss!

[Mathos]

Another nice country type pub.

The Hyndburn Bridge near Blackburn.






The pubs look great in summer especially with all the hanging baskets and flowers. Some areas have competitions for the best looking.

It can get serious at times.

This is perhaps a better shot of the Cavendish, it shows a little more of the Church and village of Brindle in general. It's a lovely little picturesque spot.





I took that photograph at 9.30 am on Monday June 9th 2008

[Mathos]

I'll finish off for tonight with a couple of local photographs.



A Barn Conversion with its own private cone.


Moss Lane... Wow You don't get much posher than Moss Lane.

I'll put a suit on one day and see if I can sneak down to take a few photographs.

They really are posh though.

No butter on the bread, and no lights on in winter, but they all talk posh.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Naa, all the English girls are fat, I seem to look at these houses now and think they are too small and don't have enough windows, but generally in the UK it is too cold to have full length windows for a room or a floor.

Yo DD


You can't touch Lancashire 'Owd Lad'

Read This.

There's a quaint seaside place known as Blackpool,
That's noted for fresh air and fun,
And Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom
Went there with young Albert, their son.

A grand little lad was young Albert,
All dressed in his best; quite a swell
With a stick with an 'orse's 'ead 'andle,
The finest that Woolworth could sell.

They didn't think much to the Ocean:
The waves, they was fiddlin' and small,
There was no wrecks and nobody drownin,'
Fact, nothing to laugh at at all.

So, seeking for further amusement,
They paid and went into the Zoo,
Where they'd Lions and Tigers and Camels,
And old ale and sandwiches too.

There were one great big Lion called Wallace;
His nose were all covered with scars -
He lay in a somnolent posture,
With the side of his face on the bars.

Now Albert had heard about Lions,
How they was ferocious and wild -
To see Wallace lying so peaceful,
Well, it didn't seem right to the child.

So straightway the brave little feller,
Not showing a morsel of fear,
Took his stick with its 'orse's 'ead 'andle
And pushed it in Wallace's ear.

You could see that the Lion didn't like it,
For giving a kind of a roll,
He pulled Albert inside the cage with 'im,
And swallowed the little lad 'ole.

Then Pa, who had seen the occurrence,
And didn't know what to do next,
Said 'Mother! Yon Lion's 'et Albert',
And Mother said 'Ee, I am vexed!'

Then Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom -
Quite rightly, when all's said and done, -
Complained to the Animal Keeper
That the Lion had eaten their son.

The keeper was quite nice about it;
He said 'What a nasty mishap.
Are you sure that it's your boy he's eaten?'
Pa said 'Am I sure? There's his cap!'

The manager had to be sent for,
He came and said 'What's to do?'
Pa said 'Yon Lion's 'et Albert,
And 'im in his Sunday clothes, too.'

Then Mother said, 'Right's right, young feller,
I think it's a shame and a sin
For a lion to go and eat Albert,
And after we've paid to come in.'

The manager wanted no trouble,
He took out his purse right away,
Saying 'How much to settle the matter?'
And Pa said 'What do you usually pay?'

But Mother had turned a bit awkward
When she thought where her Albert had gone.
She said 'No! someone's got to be summonsed'-
So that was decided upon.

Then off they went to the P'lice Station,
In front of the Magistrate chap;
They told 'im what happened to Albert,
And proved it by showing his cap.

The Magistrate gave his opinion
That no one was really to blame,
And he said that he hoped the Ramsbottoms
Would have further sons to their name.

At that Mother got proper blazing,
'And thank you, sir, kindly,' said she.
'What, waste all our lives raising children
To feed ruddy Lions? Not me!'

[bkkmadness]

It looks beautiful and I'd love to have a pint of bitter there, but where are the women?

[Mathos]

bkkmadness;

'Na then 'owd lad,'

Tha needs to be initiated fust. Then tha needs to learn the funny walk and the secret handshake.

Then tha gets ta see the lasses!

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by jizzybloke

It'd make me need to piss!

Then you could drink more bitter!

[unclesiberia]

Hello Mathos
I know Leyland quite well and Lostockokhall, did my Millwright apprenticeship at Iddon Brothers in Quin st, those were the really good old days.
Exellent photos mate I should be home in about a month or so
looking forward to some sunny days fishing on the Ribble and Darwen.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by bkkmadness

It looks beautiful and I'd love to have a pint of bitter there, but where are the women?

Here they are mate....

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by unclesiberia

Hello Mathos
I know Leyland quite well and Lostockokhall, did my Millwright apprenticeship at Iddon Brothers in Quin st, those were the really good old days.
Exellent photos mate I should be home in about a month or so
looking forward to some sunny days fishing on the Ribble and Darwen.

Hello uncleS.

Iddon Brothers, steeped in history. Still going strong, I have a cousin who works for them, he's a welder.

They are an excellent firm, they must be, he travels from Blackpool every day and back again.

Well the valley from the tops on Cuerdale Lane was worth a stop this morning, you can't really see the River Ribble on this photograph but the view towards Preston looked quite good.




There were a couple or more of The Queen's Swans on the Ribble under The London Road Bridge as well, tide was out, but it looked OK.






They have been raisng and re-inforcing the banking of late in this area. It's quite amazing how high that River gets in bad rains, the level can be amazing. A few have lost their lives on this particular stretch as well, especially in summer, going for a swim on hot days.





I'm not into fishing myself, but there are always plenty of fishermen about the River banks and the local lakes etc. Cuerden Valley seems to attract a lot on the Lake there.

[Mathos]

I stopped for a coffee on the A59 this morning (I usually do on that particular run) at the services.

Appleby Fair is at this time of year in The Lake District.


I used to meet up with The 'Varey Family' at one time.


Whilst it is many years since I have been there personally, it has some great memories from times long passed in the windows of my mind. Flobo used to enjoy the event too. We used to spend two or three days there in a caravan, we would tow along.



The Fair runs for a week in June, ending on the 2nd Wednesday in June, in the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.


It has to be the best known of the horse fairs attended by Romany families travelling to meet up with old friends and conduct business. There are several thousand there every year, Romany, Travellers, Tinkers and others.

It is world famous and The Romany Gypsy families do come from all parts of the globe.

It has existed as a fair for horse trading since 1685, under the protection of a charter granted by James II.


The field on the outskirts of Appleby originally originally a hanging place known as Gallows Hill, due to its usage in earlier times is now called Fair Hill and looks over the town of Appleby.


You have to be there to appreciate just how wonderful it is to see all the horses and the real Gypsy Travelling Caravans.

Horses are found everywhere in the river, on its banks, along the roadsides or tethered outside hotels and shops.

Young people wash the horses in the River Eden and are then ready to show them off. The tradition of racing and trotting the horses along Flashing Lane takes place throughout the day.

I came across these Travellers who had been returning from Appleby this morning at the services.

The trailer cart here had sported a canvas top the young fellow was just taking it down as I pulled up in my car.





The young Staff model wasn't for letting me get too close either.

[Mathos]

One of the young Travellers was enjoying his breakfast, followed by a smoke on the pavement edge.

The morning paper was lay on the floor for easy reading too.





I was wondering if they had been arguing they certainly weren't having much to do with one another..


There was an older guy under the cover, he was quite amiable.





They had covered eighty miles in three days under the small horse power.




Bit of business going on there as well.

[Mathos]

Just thought I'd leave you with a photograph of one of our locals.

Ye Old Hob Inn at Bamber Bridge. It's just three miles from my house. The Landlord,(I was talking to him briefly) told me the roof had just been re-thatched at a cost of £50,000..00 and was good for forty years.






Bit of a story with this pub as well.

Many years ago, late 1970's. I had a St Bernard; a giant of a dog, as they are.

I had taken him to the Vets in the back of a Peugeot Estate we had at the time.

Work was finished and he had his Vet check or whatever it might have been, nothing serious, or I would remember.

Flobo and our two daughters were in the Estate. We decided as a treat to have our tea at Ye Old Hob Inn.

We fastened 'Old Digby Dog' to one of the tables, the girls and Flobo sat down outside on the same.

I went inside to order. Chicken and chips in a basket four times. Two glasses of coke, a pint and a half of bitter.

Old Digby Dog was kicking up and dragging the table. Flobo grabbed the lead and thought she would hold him until I came out. No chance, he was off. In after me. The place was packed with folk eating chicken in a basket, it was all you could get in pubs then, or a steak canadian sandwich.

Well that old dog scoffed about four lots of chicken in a basket, straight off the tables.

We did a runner and got fish and chips down the road to take home.


Flob took some photographs of the birds nesting at home, we have nesting boxes all over. Then there are the swallows in the garage. Nests in the trees.




I thought she did great with these though.


She had a lot of Blue-tits hatch in the boxes, just look at this fellow waiting for his mum fetching a worm.




She did too.






Actually I'm amazed how she got these photographs, she only has a Kodak, cost about £75..00.

I'll put some more on next time.

I think they are fantastic photographs.

[Mathos]

It just happened to be a really dull day today for most of the time.

I completed my business over the Clitheroe side as well. It's been a somewhat difficult, busy and tiring couple of weeks for me on a personal basis, and from 6.30 am this morning I have not really had a minute to myself until now and it's almost 9pm.

Can't I bloody moan.

I was knackered by five o'clock this evening but had to go to the gym; took two of my grandsons who are both into amateur boxing and that kept me busy for a couple of more hours, then it was 8 pm when I was able to call my working day over and done so to speak.

Never mind, I'm still here.

I had hoped to get into one or two of the cattle auctions over Clitheroe way this last week, but it was impossible, time wasn't on my side I'm afraid. I will get there though, sooner or later and will get some photographs, they are classic events the 'Farmer's Auctions 'at times.

There were more Gypsies on the road this morning too.





They must have had a good night, the fire was still smoldering on the edge of the field, and there were a few empty cans kicking about as well.

Their horses were superb looking animals, outstanding specimens.




It looked like they had really had a big fire going, it was quite a cold night too last night and up in this particular area, it is always colder due to the exposed and elevated location.




They had certainly burned a good bit of the old tree up, that's for sure.

[Mathos]

They certainly had a nice 'convoy' of covered wagons lined up.





They had a small unit on the back of one of the two pick-ups which had parked up with the convoy.




Unless you know were to look, its not a common site at all coming across these 'old type' units, they are worth a great deal of money as well.


There were a couple of kids sleeping in the small tent here.



The kids have a rare old life. They can live off the land from a young age. They can all handle money and do a bit of dealing. The actual schooling dependant on how long they spend in a fixed location, but most of them 'nowadays' do receive a basic education in the three 'R's'

They can ride horses like qualified jockey's too.

You see them racing each other at times in these small units, a form of dressage but they look like charioteers.

[Mathos]

I took the liberty of taking a few close up photographs of the units.






They certainly don't get into the habit of carrying too much excess baggage.

That's for sure.




Tooth brushes and 'Colgate' were all ready for them awakening from their slumber.


It was about 8.40 am when I took these photographs.

[Mathos]

I had to go to Cuerden Valley today as well. That's a beautiful place.





Shady Lane another handsome stretch of a country lane.


Cuerden Hall is a splendid building steeped in history.





I took the above photograph mid morning. I was pushed for time and would have liked to have walked around the grounds to take some better photographs.
Again I can complete this mission at some future date.



The History below is taken from The:-


2007 Cuerden Valley Park Trust


The History of the Park


Whilst there is no reference in the Domesday book, the Park has a colourful history. The earliest surviving document relating to the “Manor of Cuerden” goes back to 1199, when the lands were held by the Molyneux family; they also lived in the Manor house at that time.

The Hall which we know to day was not built until after the Cuerden residence at the manor. From 1717 until 1906 the area was owned by the Banastre and Parker families. During the centuries they developed the Cuerden estate with nurseries, orchards, various plantations, meadows, fields and gardens. A major contributor was Lewis Watts, who also worked on Lymme Park, Oulton Park and Tatton Park in Cheshire. Under the stewardship of Robert Townley Parker, by 1838 the parklands had developed further into pasture fields with grazing animals, water meadows and wood plantations, creating a ‘heavily formed’ landscape. In addition, a footpath was laid across the estate. Further developments saw a new drive and gates, and a reservoir from the rivers and streams running through the park.

When Thomas Townley-Parker (the last descendant of the Bansatre-Parker family) died in 1906, the estate was left to his nephew, Reginald Tatton. He constructed many flower beds as well as a pergola and gazebo, a walled garden and pond. During World War One the Tatton family set up a hospital at Cuerden, furnishing it with beds, bed linen and equipment.

During the Second World War, the estate was requisitioned by the Army as an education centre and then became headquarters of No. 4 Anti-Aircraft Command. In 1958 the Hall was purchased from the Tatton family and became the Headquarters for the Army’s North West District. In the early 1960’s the newly built M6 motorway cut across the northern parkland, destroying Wigan Lodge in the process.

By 1977 the Hall had become the Headquarters of the Central Lancashire Development Corporation, with new offices and car parks being established in the formal garden areas. The parkland and wider estate was developed into Cuerden Valley Park, and in 1978 plans were drawn up to shape the park to suit public use. In 1986 work had begun on developing the Hall into a Sue Ryder Home, and the Park was formally established as a Trust, by which time cycle and bridle ways and a new footpath circuit had been laid. The Park has been maintained in this format since the 1980s, with the M65/M6 junction at Bamber Bridge cutting off access between parklands in 1997, but footpath and links still exist between these areas.

In 2003 discussions took place between the Trustees and the then Park’s managing agents, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, about the future management and direction of the Park. This resulted in the day-to-day control and management of the park being returned to the Park Trustee’s and greater involvement by local people and stakeholders. A major restoration project was commenced at the same time, aimed at restoring some of the Victorian features on the Park. Included in the Heritage Lottery Fund bid was an eco-friendly building for the Headquarters of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust who, like the Park Trust, had outgrown their temporary accommodation on the Park. This resulted in The Barn being built with a small Park Office and a shared Visitor Centre for the Park and the Wildlife Trust.




History of 42 { North West } Brigade

The 42nd (North West) Brigade can trace its ancestry back to the end of the 19th Century, when the 11th (Lancashire) Brigade fought with great distinction in the War in South Africa.

It was here that the courage and sacrifice of the North West soldier was first popularly recognised and subsequently entered into Lancashire folklore. To this day, in memory of the Lancashire soldiers killed at the critical battle of Spion Kop, many football grounds in the North West still maintain a stand called, "The Kop".


The war in South Africa taught the British Army a great deal, not least the significance of a trained reserve. Thus in 1907, as part of what was to become known as the Haldane Reforms, the Territorial Army was formed. Initially there were 13 Territorial Army Divisions, 2 of which were formed in the North West, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and 55th (West Lancashire) Division.


Their first test came 7 years later, when in August 1914, Great Britain found itself at war with Imperial Germany. The Territorial Army was quickly and efficiently mobilised and on the 10th September 1914, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division became the first Territorial Division to leave Britain and sailed for Egypt. The 55th (West Lancashire) Division however, deployed piece meal, the 10th (King's Liverpool) Regiment went to France in October 1914 and the other battalions followed during the succeeding 6 months.


For the most part, the battalions on landing, were attached to regular brigades. Significantly throughout 1915, the North Lancashire Brigade, of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division was attached to the 51st Highland Division and played a significant part in that divisions first battle in June 1915. It was not until January 1916 that the 55th (West Lancashire) Division was brought together as a unit, but by that date, several battalions had few of their original members left.


The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division fought in Egypt, the Dardanelles, France and Belgium, while the 55th (West Lancashire) Division operated exclusively in France and Belgium, where it established a reputation of being one of the elite divisions. It won the highest number of VCs (12) among the non-regular divisions, including the only double VC to be awarded during the war, Capt Noel Chavassee RAMC, the Medical Officer of the 1/10th King's (Liverpool) Regiment – the Liverpool Scottish. In 1916 formation badges were officially approved. The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division adopted a diamond, top half white and bottom half red, while the 55th (West Lancashire) Division adopted a red rose with five petals and leaves arranged in fives on each side of the stem. Elements visible in the Brigade Badge today.


In September 1939, war with Germany broke out once again. Again the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division was one of the first TA Divisions to deploy and in 1940 formed part of the BEF in France. Prior to deployment, the division adopted a new formation badge. The diamond shape remained, but wi