Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by wanderering walter

Sorry Mathos
These recent posts have got F[at][at][at]all to do with Lancashire, just brings back silly memories

You've not a thing in the world to be sorry for Walter.

You have some brilliant memories there. I remember every one of those programmes as well mate. All in black and white too.

The Darwin folk still refer to the River Darwin and the Town as Darren.

The old police cars as well, no sirens then Walter, a big chrome bell secured above the front bumper and I think the passenger Bobby worked a cable that rang it like the clappers.


I see you're familiar with Longton as well Walter, there were two good pubs there in the late 60's and early 70's. The Rams Head and The Golden Ball, the Golden Ball was really in Walmar Bridge.

The Rams Head (Landlord was Ernie) they had coach parties at weekends, it could turn into a rough old do on a Saturday night at times as well. The coach parties were mainly from Liverpool. Christ, they loved battering one another at 10.30...

I bet you would know Brian Coxhead then, "The Boxing Farmer"

He was a rum lad was Brian, One of the best. Sadly he passed away a couple of years or so back.

Anyhow, we had a run out today. Flobo wanted to go to Chatsworth Hall.

It was a dull day, an odd try at raining once in a while, but all in all quite good.

I'll do some postings later in the week.


There's a bit here to remind you of England.


Fish and Chips as they should look, and taste I might add.




They were good too.

It's really nice in the Peak District, the scenery changes dramatically, like I mentioned I'll put a good selection on here later.




We went into a fantastic Village as well, pristine condition, absolutely gorgeous.



Edensor near Chatsworth Hall.

It's pronounced "Ensor" though

This was good to see, we haven't been into Cheshire for a while, we called in The Whipping Stocks near Knutsford as well




It appears that Manchester University are running or are in charge of Jodrel Bank nowadays too. we didn't manage to gain admittance, it was about seven pm or later when we got there and it had closed at 5pm or so.




I honestly do not think you can get such photographs anywhere on the planet of this nature, they really are spectacular.

I called in Sale, it brought back some good memories. I'm an 'Old Salian' actually Walter.

I played rugby.



They knackered things up with the 'Old Boy's School' as it was when I was there, it used to be at the top of The Avenue. Then probably in the 70's or 80's they knocked the place down for houses and combined the boy's with the girls school on Marsland Road Sale. Co education, they could have done that when I was there, not when I bloody left.

No wonder the rugby standards went through the window.




Nice view from The Peak District to leave you with.

[Mathos]

I'd just like to say thanks to all of you who have complimented the thread and given me Greens. I don't know how I have got the Five Stars either?

If it has been given me by somebody, I want to say thanks a lot. If it is due to it receiving X number of hits or being on so long, then still thanks.

Cheers, it is really appreciated and I'm glad you are enjoying the same..

[wanderering walter]

Hey I like the fish and chips, slaveringly!! Longton, I never really frequented the area in those days although I remember a Pub that brewed its own ale way out on the marshes, a real hillbilly place, When I was a kid in the 40s we would pass the Rose and Crown Tarleton ( I think) owned then by Albert Pierpoint, our last hangman, although his brother did a bit as well!! Funny enough the last 2 hanged by him were customers in our Family bakery in Avenhan Lane preston, I am sure that I sold the two the knife that killed their victim in Carlisle! real scruffy pair they were,
Just down from Walton le Dale Bridge is the Old Tram Bridge, that was used to bring coal to the sidings near Preston Railway Station, above the bridge was a steam driven winch that used to pull the coal laden carts up the hill, When I was a kid the bridge then was made of wood and only the part "upstream" of the bridge 3 feet wide that you could walk, the rest was open were the rails had been, if you look at the railway bridge next down, I think called the Union Bridge you see the same small public footpath, I think the reason for the 2 footpaths was connected to Rights of way. As an after thought a guy called Outram built/designed the bridge (old tramway) I read somewhere that the name came from the Outram connection ie The Outram Bridge ( old tram bridge) well its close !!, Funny isn,t it Avenham Park is a modern thing, that track which ran from Walton Summit canal ending which in turn brought coal from Wigan and probably Worsley to the Sidings was a commercial enterprise, running thru what is now the Park, another bit of our industrial revolution grassed over,

You know what Mathos I despair, a nation that was so inventive and entreprenarial is now reliant on the Services Industry, and now that,s going "TITS UP" I know that there was a lot wrong with employment conditions 150 years ago from my 2008 perception, but then the Poor Bastards at least had a job! But then the World turns and that scenario has moved to Asia doing what we did , Empires come and go so will Asia, Wedgewood Benn and Donald Stokes epitomise the symptoms of the big slide, one wanted more democracy on the shop floor, he got it with numerous strikes, tother wanted to build corporate Headquarters in London, far removed from reality!! Assholes both. well its still about Lancashire!!
Hey just thought about Arkwright House which is just off Avenham Lane, (an,ham) when I was a kid it was a slum, a real shithole, door was open, windows smashed, then in the 70s someone realised that Arkwright had a room there or had a shit there, so they made it a shrine, Big deal, Arkwright was all round the country in those days knocking up mills, like I said we are just grassing up our heritage and talent!!
This is todays lesson , I will be asking questions later

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by wanderering walter

You know what Mathos I despair, a nation that was so inventive and entreprenarial is now reliant on the Services Industry, and now that,s going "TITS UP" I know that there was a lot wrong with employment conditions 150 years ago from my 2008 perception, but then the Poor Bastards at least had a job! But then the World turns and that scenario has moved to Asia doing what we did , Empires come and go so will Asia, Wedgewood Benn and Donald Stokes epitomise the symptoms of the big slide, one wanted more democracy on the shop floor, he got it with numerous strikes, tother wanted to build corporate Headquarters in London, far removed from reality!! Assholes both. well its still about Lancashire!! Hey just thought about Arkwright House which is just off Avenham Lane, (an,ham) when I was a kid it was a slum, a real shithole, door was open, windows smashed, then in the 70s someone realised that Arkwright had a room there or had a shit there, so they made it a shrine, Big deal, Arkwright was all round the country in those days knocking up mills, like I said we are just grassing up our heritage and talent!! This is todays lesson , I will be asking questions later

Infant mortality rate is higher in Lancashire than it is in the southern plains Walter, so are the deaths from heart failure and cancer, especially lung cancer.

The cenotaphs are bigger in Lancashire mind you.

We don't have so many wine bars up here either.

There are two levels of taxation too.

I wrote to Gordon about this when he was Tony's sidekick in charge of the big purse.


Old Charlie can get his white van out and a shopping list for a few OAP's in town, they like a few wraps of Golden Virginia and the odd nice bottle of wine, maybe a bottle of Dubonnet or a decent Brandy, you know, like Curvoisier once in a while.
So they give him the list and their pension money plus some more out of their savings.

He drives all the way to Kent, putting money in The Chancellors pocket everytime he buys fuel, gets a cup of tea and his breakfast at vastly inflated prices on the Motorways. Pays to take his van across to one of the other European Countries who buy the same Golden Virginai tobacco and all the wines, beers and brandies like us.

Now if he gets lucky, he gets back in one piece.

If the lads down there are on to him, they take all his goods, and the van.

He get's nowt back.

The people living in Kent and suchlike, jump on the ferry once a week and bring back all they want.


Lancashire is the last Cow they have to milk.

We can look after it though.



It's beautiful.

[Mathos]

We left home considerably early yesterday, not crack of dawn or anything like that of course. Up at a reasonable hour, about 7am. I had to do a bit of work at a unit. Flobo made breakfast and did a bit of housework. So we left home about 10am.

I thought, I would use the old roads all day and steer clear of the motorways, which isn't easy, but it makes for a much more pleasant drive.

I went across Barton Bridge into Manchester!

The traffic was quite busy, but they have really smartened up Trafford Park.

Once we were through Stockport, Marple, Hazel Grove and going up onto the tops, the landscape really took on a new meaning, even though it was a cloudy and somewhat dull morning.




There is something special about seeing where you are as you drive along, being able to stop when you see something you like or want to pull into a lay by and stretch your legs, or even take a photograph.

You can't do any of that on the motorways. The sides are really all you see unless there is a stretch of land with an interesting point around you, or if you are passing higher than the ground and the route is not through a quarry.



How often on motorways do you pass by beauty like this. (Don't miss the horse on the bottom right of this picture)

There's many a younger person won't even be aware of the existence of such places we thought.




The horses alone looked specimens and when you look at the surrounding landscape.

There were some superb villages along the way. Small Hamlets that didn't want to be rushed at all.



We actually felt like we had got there too early and might be disturbing their mornings.



Even the bin men were waiting for the streets to air.

[Mathos]

Some times it almost feels like a torch is being shone from the skies above, out of the muggy skies, selecting a special little place for you to aim your camera.




There's all the time in the world when you look at views like this though.




This is the entrance to Hassop Hall Hotel in The Peak District.

Absolutely outstanding Hotel. Family owned and run, rooms range from £95..00 to about £225..00 a night.

HASSOP HALL - A SHORT HISTORY
The recorded history of Hassop reaches back 900 years to the Doomesday Book.
HETESOPE in the Book of Winchester: to give Domesday its correct title - was the Manor and principal residence of the FOLJAMBES who remained until the reign of Richard II(1377-1399). The infant heiress to Hassop became a ward of the King. He sold her for 50 marks to Sir John Leake, who speedily made one hundred percent profit by re-selling her at a price of 100 marks to Sir William Plumpton, who wished to secure her as a wife for his son. The matrix for England was still that increasing power struggle between the Barons and the only real power was the possession of land. The Foljambe heiress was eleven months old when her covenant of marriage was made, and her considerable dowry of Hassop with a dozen other Lordships and moieties in twenty townships passed to the PLUMPTON family.
At the close of the 15th century, they sold Hassop to Catherine, widow of Stephen Eyre. From 1498 at the time of the purchase, the Eyre family who were Roman Catholic and staunch Jacobeans moved into that testing period of religious persecution. Throughout the reign of Elizabeth I they suffered a great deal in consequence, emerging steadfast. They were among those few Catholic families of the nobility who did not switch sides as a temporary expedient.

The Civil War in 1643 was another time of trial for the family, and Rowland Eyre turned his home into a Royalist garrison. It was the scene of several skirmishes and after the Parliamentary victory, the captured property was only redeemed at a cost of £21,000. Rowland's father had dismantled much of the old Hall and replaced it with the present one.

In 1814 Francis Eyre, a direct descendant of Stephen, succeeded to the title of Earl of Newburgh. Born into an age when it was fashionable for Noblemen and their sons to follow the Byronic grand tour of Europe, Francis left his mark on the rapidly changing face of Britain with the unusual Catholic church built 1816-1818 in the severest Classical Revival style, its front resembling an Etruscan temple, the interior with a coved coffered ceiling - it has an underground passage to the Hall. Improvements to modernise the Hall and some alterations in the Neo-Classical mould were carried out a few years later. The estate passed to Dorothy, sister of Francis, in 1852, and a year afterwards to her widower, Colonel Charles LESLIE.

The Hall bought from the Leslies in 1919 by Colonel H. K. STEPHENSON (later Sir Henry Stephenson Bt) eventually became the home of his son Sir Francis Bt and it was purchased by the present owner, Mr. Thomas H. CHAPMAN, in 1975.
Hassop Hall is linked to only five families since the inventory of Domesday Book, there are remarkably intact records with specific dating of days and years.
Time has set Hassop as a tranquil backdrop to ages when a woman was worthless except as her Lord's chattel, when it needed great courage to hold fast to a faith, and when Civil War blighted this lovely countryside. With the opening of a contemporary chapter there is, not surprisingly, a determination to conserve and care for this outstanding heritage. Endlessly interesting; bound up with history; a place with many tales to tell; still a home - Hassop Hall is somewhere to find a welcome

The above information is from the Internet Site of The Hotel and is well and truly worth a visit.


Welcome to Hassop Hall

Hassop Hall Hotel is located in the picturesque hamlet of Hassop, near Bakewell, close to all the attractions of the Peak District.
Set in beautiful gardens and rolling parkland, the hotel offers you a retreat where you can relax and enjoy the comforts offered in this family run establishment.

Hassop Hall Hotel, deluxe, luxury hotel, restaurants, bars, near Bakewell, Derbyshire, England, UK. Weddings, parties, weekends.

Well worth looking at.

[BigRed]

I recognise the George Hotel at Tideswell, I was playing darts in there last week, but I don't recognise the last couple of photos. Having lived here for 7 years I have very few photos of the area, same when I lived in Chester, I've taken more photos of it since I left than the 7 years I was there.

[Mathos]

I thought I would finish of tonight with this photograph of the two young lasses on the horses.

A blithering idiot on a motorcycle, roared between the cars which had slowed down to a crawl in order to pass the horses safely.

Those horses could have thrown the girls.

The front horse had just about regained it's posture as we got the snap.

They were very lucky.

The motorcyclist was young and was probably unaware of the dangers he was presenting to the horses with the noise from his powerful machine.

You know, you can't reveal to the innocent youth..

I was concerned, a right good friend of mine lost his wife in similar circumstances many years ago, she was thrown from her horse and suffered head injuries which left her in a coma and she died after about two days.

She was a right grand and lovely lass, good mother, everything.

He was left to bring three lads up by himself.




It took me back in time when they reared up.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by BigRed

I recognise the George Hotel at Tideswell, I was playing darts in there last week, but I don't recognise the last couple of photos. Having lived here for 7 years I have very few photos of the area, same when I lived in Chester, I've taken more photos of it since I left than the 7 years I was there.

Cheers BigRed. It's a lovely area.

I'll dig my little note book out of the car and name the two places for you. Leave it with me pal.

Glad you have an interest.

It's funny isn't it. I've only just really started taking photographs of places and I wish I had done it years ago.

And also that I'd looked after those I had taken in any event, better than I seem to have done.

[Marmite the Dog]

Originally Posted by Mathos

They knackered things up with the 'Old Boy's School' as it was when I was there, it used to be at the top of The Avenue. Then probably in the 70's or 80's they knocked the place down for houses and combined the boy's with the girls school on Marsland Road Sale. Co education, they could have done that when I was there, not when I bloody left.

No wonder the rugby standards went through the window.

I know he's a late convert to God's game, but he did alright at Sale.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I know he's a late convert to God's game, but he did alright at Sale.

Jason Thorpe Robinson AKA Billy Whizz.


He was a cracking player, powerful lad too.


A few days after we won the World Cup (Jason scored a belter of a try that day) I called in The Chicken Barbecue, Hough Lane, Leyland. I bought a few pieces of barbecued chicken and turned to leave the shop. Jason was stood behind me. I recognised him straight away and it must have shown, probably the shock in my face. He grinned from ear to ear.

"Bloody hell mate, " I said " Fancy seeing you in Leyland, well done too lad, that was a cracker of a game"

"I live in Leyland" he replied,

We had a brief chat, I never bumped into him since and I understand he moved from here .

Small world at times isn't it Marmers.

[Mathos]

Knutsford is a really outstandingly beautiful little village.

There's a host of really nice hostelry's there as well. My favourite is The Whipping Stocks.

It's out of town towards or in the area of "Over Peover"




It was a hell of a busy pub up to a few years ago especially, it still holds it own from what have seen but I think the signs of pub trade degeneration in general apply to this beauty as much as any other.

Fantastic garden area as well, years ago, there were some really good barbecued meals to be had out here. They had a Chef cooking outside on a regular basis, weather permitting.




There's no saying it still doesn't do really well, but I know from the odd time or two over the last couple of years or so, when we have called of an evening or lunchtime, it didn't score the levels it once did.

It's steeped in history.



General George Patton was stationed at Peover Hall in Cheshire, in fact the United States Third Army under his command were based at Toft Camp just down the road.

Patton visited virtually all of the hostelries in the area, Peover, Mobberley and Knutsford. He dined with Eisenhower at Lower Peovers famous Inn:- The Bells of Peover.

There are various plaques in many parts of the area making reference to General Patton. In the Whipping Stocks there is a plaque with his photograph, (along with those fancy pistols on his belt) mentioning how General George Smith Patton had a regular table and seat there, just by the main door. He also had fresh flowers placed there daily. When he left for the invasion of Europe, he paid for a years flowers in advance to be placed in that same spot.

I thought that was a nice, really nice gesture.

The section below is from the Internet.

Ruskin Rooms

On 25 April 1944, at the old Town Hall in Knutsford, which is now a furniture shop and post office, Patton made the speech which caused his downfall and became known as the 'Knutsford Incident'. Speaking to the soldiers attending the opening of the Knutsford Welcome Club Patton made a few brief remarks and happened to say, ". . . it is the evident destiny of the British and Americans, and, of course, the Russians, to rule the world . . . " The remarks hit the newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic omitting the Russians thereby slighting one of our allies. All witnesses to the event said he included the Russians. Anthony Cave Brown, in Bodyguard of Lies, states that a British Government representative named Mould "almost certainly" released Patton's remarks to the media as part of the FUSAG deception. read the whole speech

For detailed information on General Patton visit The Patton Society website





The Knutsford Lodge, which now appears to be a private residence, is siutated just outside The Whipping Stocks.

This is something else to look at.





The whole appearance of the building is simply spectacular.

It's a credit to the Country, let along The County.


The above photograph is one I took myself on Tuesday last 15th July 2008

(Just for the record)

(Because lately I keep forgetting things)

[Mathos]

The rooms in The Whipping Stocks, retain their original character, and that is nice to see. Far too many of our older pubs have been butchered by knocking walls down, removing old fireplaces etc. and turning them into soul-less rooms which have added to the ruination of pub life and it's original foundations.

You can imagine how 'warm and welcoming' a room like this is, especially in mid winter when snow is on the ground outside and a nice coal or log fire is blazing away in a room like this

.


This is the rear 'yard area' of the pub, were they used to cook the food on a large barbecue.



I bet General Patton has walked through those French Windows, many a time.


The entrance to Jodrell Bank is only a couple of mile or so away from the pub.




It's probably obsolete so far as telescopes go nowadays, especially thinking of the new one they are building or have built in Geneva.

Still Manchester University are making good use of it nowadays, I understand. It's open to the public on a regular basis as well.



It's really nice countryside in this part of the country too.

[Happyman]

Great thread - green on its way !

Only thing that really pisses me off are the pics of little streams going through villages or alongside roads - my eyes wander to my rod rack and settle on my Hardy No2 weight fly rod and memories come flooding back ! Streams in the Salop/ Wales area and Dartmoor spring to mind.
Ah Well !

Keep 'em coming !

[Mathos]

There's something extremely special about the countryside in great Britain that you never come across elsewhere on the planet.

Most, if not all of England's Counties boast spectacular scenes, hamlets, homes and inns, Wales, Scotland and Ireland also have so much to vaunt about.

I think we are very fortunate to be amidst so much beauty. The weather can be a bit of a nuisance at times. It hasn't stopped raining here today and Granada News have just announced that the opening day of The Royal Lancashire Show (tomorrow) has had to be cancelled due to the ground being water-logged, with more rain forecast throughout the night and tomorrow morning especially. I hope it go's ahead on Saturday and Sunday, me and Flobo were looking forward to going and getting some class photographs for the thread. Hope it dries up some. Keeping our fingers crossed.


This would have been a really great photograph, but the enormous cow in the centre of the young bulls, dropped her head, just as Flobo snapped the same.

The young black bull gave a really indignant look as well.

Bet he's a right "toughy" in the herd.




I think the animals grazing like this reflect a peace and tranquility we probably take for granted, but which is rather special.



This particular area of Monsal was a very nice spot, with some magnificent views.




We actually had our 'Fish and Chips' dinner up here at a nice hotel right on top of the peak so to speak.




The scenery really is second to little, if any at all.





Some superb houses in the vicinity also.



Bonny property is that.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

Great thread - green on its way !

Only thing that really pisses me off are the pics of little streams going through villages or alongside roads - my eyes wander to my rod rack and settle on my Hardy No2 weight fly rod and memories come flooding back ! Streams in the Salop/ Wales area and Dartmoor spring to mind.
Ah Well !

Keep 'em coming !

Hi Happyman, nice to see you, hope I'm not making you too melancholy

Thanks for the green too Pal.

There were a couple of snaps I took on Tuesday with you in mind to be perfectly frank.

Hope you like them.

This guy looked happy enough on the Banks of The River Wye.




Then we crossed the Manchester Ship Canal at Barton Upon Irwell.

The canal on the other side, which appears to link up with the Irwell could be the Leeds/Liverpool or The Bridgewater, I'm not certain, nowadays. There were some nice houseboats on here and obviously you came to mind so I took a snap for you.




There was a really bonny stretch of weater further up too.

You know, I'm of a mind that it's The Bridgewater Canal.




There you go Pal, my compliments.


You know, me and my mates used to swim in these canals when we were kids.

[Mathos]

What a day today, second day of continual rain unfortunately, and The Royal Lancashire Show has had to be cancelled totally. That's the second year running.

I'm wondering if the PC attitude of this country has not gone too far though. I'm sure we have had wetter summers than this over the years and they have always proceeded with the show.

It's spoiled a good weekend for a lot of folk.

There are people down there now with stalls and all sorts set up, they have come from all over Britain, not a happy lot at all I'm afraid.

UPDATE (at 7pm on the 18th)

Saturday 19th July and Sunday 20th July
THE SHOW IS CANCELLED
because of the heavy rain and ground conditions over the last few days.

There are regular updates and the latest information is on Radio Lancashire

or you can contact the Office (01995 643215) if you need further information - but be warned - the lines are very busy just at present.

The Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society can trace its roots back to 1767 and runs the oldest Agricultural Show in the country. Ever-increasing numbers of exhibitors and visitors means that it is important that the Show continues to grow and keep pace with demand. For that reason, in 2008 the Society moved into a purpose-built home for the Show on the site of the proposed Duke of Lancaster Park at Barton.
Please note a forthcoming event :


The Third Annual Autumn Ball will be on the 25th October at The Wellington Park, Leyland. Tickets will cost £30. More details to follow - or to contact the office click here



I think I'd better buy a couple of tickets and take Flobo to The Ball in October.

This is a wonderful example of a dry stone wall as well.




It's quite amazin how quickly the professionals can build one of these as well.

A real work of art.

[Mathos]

I've one or two really good photographs to put on here this evening.



Whenever I come across buildings like this, there is an amazing attraction to try and find out as much as I can about the same.

The most annoying part of the trip we made on Tuesday last, is the fact that I have lost some of my notes and am totally at a loss to state the name of the town were this particular pub was and a couple of other places which I have either put on the thread since Tuesday 15.07.08. Or have yet to enter.


I think I may have lost a couple of pages whilst getting in or out of the car.

This pub was closed as well, had it been open we would have gone in for a beverage or soft drink and had a chat with the staff regarding the same.


On the off chance that anybody viewing can assist, please let me know.


I have earlier placed a photograph or two from Tideswell on the thread, this one represents the Village Store and Post office.

Really nice.



It's good to see another Post Office which appears to have been saved from oblivion too.

The Church in the town was really impressive.




There really are some wonderful buildings in our country when you study the same.

We are extremely fortunate.


The Church is actually dedicated to St John the Baptist and often referred to as the Cathedral of the Peak.

The building was started and completed during the 14th Century, That's a fair old age.

Apparently it's a landmark for miles around, being virtually original in its existence since it's creation.

It is thought the builder was Sir John Foljambe from a very prominent family of landowners.

Here is a really quaint little cobbled street in Tideswell. just a few hundred yards from The Village store.

Now that's really quaint.



This scenic photograph over the tops, is quite interesting too.

I like how the rock formation is jutting out from around the grassy tops of the hill as well.



Next time we are in this particular area, we will take a detour over to Kinder Scout. There are some really spectacular rock formations in that particular area.

Kinder Scout is a high plateau, standing about 2000 feet above sea level.

The highest part of the area is known as Crowden Head. It's a nice spot and should produce some decent photographs.

It's been absolutely years since I was last there, I think I was about sixteen years of age. Amazing rock formations and some extremely weird looking giant stones if my memory serves me right.

[Marmite the Dog]

Originally Posted by Mathos

It's been absolutely years since I was last there, I think I was about sixteen years of age.

I went there when I was about 11 when I was in the Scouts. The only thing I remember about the walk up was that it was hard work.

[wanderering walter]

I used to live in Higher Walton, off Shop Lane down a private Rd behind the Petfood Manufacturer, the Darren ran around the property about 1/2 Mile, never caught any fish !!!