Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

Some really quaint streets, narrow as they didn't need to be any wider at the time of their construction.



The Stone cottages look beautiful and the thickness of those roof tiles is amazing.




It's always nice to see streams and rivers running through the towns.





Beautiful in fact.





Some of the cottages are rented out to tourists for colossal sums during the summer months especially.




Again, a splendid Church in this particular village of Caton.


Some very interesting photographs and information below from The net as well.

Tony Boughen makes some excellent contributions.

Norman remains, Perpendicular tower, the remainder of 1865 by E.G. Paley

The church of St Paul, Caton, has a long and interesting history. Of the early period little is known, but in the west wall of the north aisle are the remains of a C12 Norman arch/tympanum that must be from the first stone-built church on this site. It was evidently a doorway, with circular columns and scalloped capitals, and probably a tympanum with a depiction of the Temptation. Still clearly visible are Adam, Eve and the serpent, along with foliage and another animal. The builder who thought to retain and re-use this stonework (was it Paley?) must also have decided to fill it with medieval stone coffin lids. These are decorated with crosses, swords, circles and shears. The whole conception is a real jumble, but interesting nonetheless.

Apart from the coffin lids nothing else appears to survive from the medieval period except the west tower. This is 55 feet high and 12 feet square. The stairs are contained within the structure: there is no stair projection as is found in many North Lancashire towers of this period. However, it does have the usual west door, three-light window and diagonal buttresses. The bell openings are typically small, and here are uncusped with hoodmoulds. They may be later C17. The top of the tower has no pinnacles, only battlements. Originally the tower held three bells dated 1605, 1617 and 1724. These were recast in 1964, the original markings being retained, and five new bells were added.

The tower dates from a rebuilding during the late C15 or early C16. Near the present organ console is a picture of that church. It shows a low-pitched roof sweeping down over nave and aisles, a south porch, square headed windows, and a dormer light towards the west end of the nave. Inside, apparently, was a three-decker pulpit.

Paley's rebuilding of everything east of the tower was consecrated in 1865. It is in the Perpendicular style, and well done, if not inspired. It is quite large with separately roofed aisles and clerestories. The windows throughout are mainly square headed with tracery at the top. The east window is of three lights with a shallow arch. Inside the nave windows are set in shallow arched surrounds. The south elevation of the church is clearly seen, but the north side is masked by groups of conifers. This prospect would benefit from some thinning of the trees.

Old timbers from the medieval church roof are reused in the pulpit and prayer desk. The finely carved reredos dates from 1904. It has a painted copy of Fra Filippo Lippi's "Annunciation". This is the work of Miss M. Greg of Escowbeck House, Caton. An interesting memorial is to Fred Loades, who for many years was a panel member on the BBC radio programme "Gardeners' Question Time". The stained glass of the church is representative of the late C19 and early C20 work of Shrigley & Hunt and Abbot and Co., both Lancaster firms. The north aisle has a well drawn Nativity scene.

View from the south east

The body of the church by E.G. Paley is quite large, very orthodox, but well done.

The west tower

The medieval tower probably dates from the end of the C15, or the early C16.

The south aisle

The interior is divided into nave and aisles by four bay arcades on octagonal columns.

An assemblage of ancient material

The re-used C12 doorway is now in the west wall of the north aisle and filled with medieval coffin lids.

East window of north aisle

The window, by Shrigley & Hunt of Lancaster illustrates the empty tomb.

Photographs and text © Tony Boughen

A slighlty more informative one of my own.

It helps complete the post.

A very nice village indeed.

Flobo really liked it.

[Happyman]

Originally Posted by Mathos

We came across a few of those peculiar sections of ground as well today.

A couple of photographs here for you which may be of interest.




Might be full of Roman Secrets, these hills.




In any event though, the countryside is magnificent.

Gimme a clue ! Where were you ?
That bunch of trees in the last one look interesting ??

The walls look a bit "lumpy" for me but ok ! Probably the way the local stone splits !

[Mathos]

We thought the Wild Boar Park would be worth a visit too.



It's a brilliant venue for taking children.


During the summer months it is a very busy location.

Today it was like having a private viewing.




I have some nice photographs to transfer and will put them on over the next day or two.




A nice one here until next visit though.

[Mathos]

Happyman Wrote:-

Gimme a clue ! Where were you ?
That bunch of trees in the last one look interesting ??

The walls look a bit "lumpy" for me but ok ! Probably the way the local stone splits !

You always find me a difficult one to pinpoint Happyman.

Taken from the road running between Caton to Quernmore and on to Abbeystead.


.Head west on Copy Ln toward Leslie Ave0.2 mi
2.Turn left at Quernmore Rd0.5 mi
3.Turn right to stay on Quernmore Rd1.5 mi
4.Turn left at Postern Gate Rd1.7 mi
5.Slight right at Rigg Ln0.4 mi
6.Turn left at Quernmore Brow0.5 mi
7.Continue on Scotforth Rd2.0 mi
8.Turn right at Abbeystead Ln1


I hope this helps you, unable to locate road reference numbers right now, if you have any difficulty, let me know and I will get one of my better map books out of the boot.


Flobo thinks it was before Quernmore, I'm not so certain though, it might have been after.

[Happyman]

Will have a dig around and get back tomorrow

[TSR2]

Originally Posted by Mathos

Quernmore

pronounced Querner!!

My mate was blown up in the Abbeystead incident! he survived ,just, he had so many broken bones he was bleeding internally very severly, causing his BP to drop alarmingly. An ambulance that was being driven down the A6 to be sold at auction was diverted to Abbeystead and took him and 2 others to Lancaster Hospital thereby saving his life with minutes to spare, He with many from St Michaels were visiting the Abbeystead site to be convinced that the flooding in their village was not caused by water being diverted from the Lune to the Wyre,
They were inside the Pump house to witness the water being transferred, nothing happened for a long time, then my friend heard the telephone ring followed by an explosion, (it,s thought that the phone sparked causing ignition of the methane gas that had collected in the pipe under Quernmore which was pushed ahead of the incoming water,) I think 28 folk were killed in the disaster, He remembers the aftermath, people were drowning/screaming when the metal grate floor collapsed and they fell into the pit, others were burning in various parts of the shattered building, a giant concrete roof beam fell on him crushing many bones , the man he was talking to lay to his left, the beam had decapitated him! He said it was all surreal as though he was watching a film, I nearly went that night but changed my mind, mmmhhh

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

pronounced Querner!!

My mate was blown up in the Abbeystead incident! he survived ,just, he had so many broken bones he was bleeding internally very severly, causing his BP to drop alarmingly. An ambulance that was being driven down the A6 to be sold at auction was diverted to Abbeystead and took him and 2 others to Lancaster Hospital thereby saving his life with minutes to spare, He with many from St Michaels were visiting the Abbeystead site to be convinced that the flooding in their village was not caused by water being diverted from the Lune to the Wyre,
They were inside the Pump house to witness the water being transferred, nothing happened for a long time, then my friend heard the telephone ring followed by an explosion, (it,s thought that the phone sparked causing ignition of the methane gas that had collected in the pipe under Quernmore which was pushed ahead of the incoming water,) I think 28 folk were killed in the disaster, He remembers the aftermath, people were drowning/screaming when the metal grate floor collapsed and they fell into the pit, others were burning in various parts of the shattered building, a giant concrete roof beam fell on him crushing many bones , the man he was talking to lay to his left, the beam had decapitated him! He said it was all surreal as though he was watching a film, I nearly went that night but changed my mind, mmmhhh

It must have bee a terrible ordeal for your friend TSR2.

I'm happy to hear that he survived such a hell of an accident as this was. I've been involved in a few nasty incidents in my day. They take a lot out of you one way or another.

Sounds like you were lucky too. Life is strange at times, you probably had no reason at all to change your mind. You just did, and you were spared.

Guardian Angels, or what?

Makes you think doesn't it.

[Mathos]

They had a decent variety of Boar and Swine in general.




They certainly love the mud, that's for sure.



I don't know if the stripe effect as shown on the little ones lasts for a life time. I never saw any kind of 'Hog' with stripes before these two.

They had been born mid September, so they were only a few weeks old.



A decent bit of information with regards to the same above and below.



A couple of heavy 'buggers' here.



I thought these might bring a smile to one or two members of TD as well.

Chinese Geese in Lancashire!



It might interest you to know as well that 'High Class Butchers' are specialising in Wild Boar meat sales at present. They charge for it as well. High value sales by all accounts.



A Big Lad here.

Saddleback Pig.

British Saddleback Breeders' Club
This website is designed to help you find out just about everything you need to know about the British Saddleback breed of pig. If you are a pig keeper or a ...
British Saddleback Breeders' Club - 9k - Cached - Similar pages


Interesting information here too.

Saddleback pigs for sale - ThePigSite Discussion Forum
1 post - Last post: 22 Apr 2007
Two saddleback gilts for sale. Both have had one litter each and are thought

[Mathos]

I think these 'critters' had come from Oz.

Adds to the interest for the kids I suppose, but strange to come across them in a Lancashire field.




I rather suspect Mr Fox resided here, but it could have been rabbits, or even Badger.




We had lunch at The Inn at Whitewell.

Superb.

I'll put some photographs of our own on next day or two.

The INN AT WHITEWELL
Welcome The Inn at Whitewell adheres to the old fashioned concept of a rural Inn , welcoming to all, providing 23 bedrooms of some glamour, seriously good ...
www


The Stepping Stones across The River Hodder at the rear of the Hotel are quite an impressive feature.



This is a very interestring write up as well.

The Inn at Whitewell, Lancashire | Travel | The Guardian

It's a resounding 'yes, yes, yes' as I enter The Inn at Whitewell, ... the rowdy river appears, even giving


Another of those 'daft days' today.

Meant to do so much and ended doing so much more of what I hadn't even thought I'd be doing.

Din't get home until turned 8pm.

Watched the Celtic v Man United game. 1-1 Pity. Man U did everything except put it in the net. Except for one goal out of maybe 30 possible chances at least.

Celtic defended with everything after scoring a neat goal in the first 15 minutes or so.



It's how it go's.

Couple of nice scenic photographs to close the post for tonight,.

Beautiful places in these parts.




The Hodder is a nice River, plenty of variation in it's character.



The Countryside in general is quite special.



Really special perhaps I should say.

[Mathos]

There are numerous signs of water management in the area.

One thing about the UK the tap water is perhaps the best in the world. I wouldn't consider any benefits with buying
bottled water over here.

In fact, I'm quite sure that several comparisons have been done in a professional manner
our tap water has proved to be as good if not better quality than most of the bottled varieties.



There have been times when we have been in other countries and realised just how fortunate we are to have such outstanding
utility services in the UK in general. We simply take most of the benefits for granted.





It's quite natural though, it's what human beings do in general.




When you are familiar with so much water in times of heavy rain, it's amazing how we run into periods of water usage restrictions every now and then though.




Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water.




Raindrops are falling on my head!

[Mathos]

Some outstanding scenery as well.



Simply driving through such countryside is an added bonus in life. It's very beautiful.




Quite amazing too how you can be in woodland one minute and open moor-land the next.



Or a little bit of everything all in one short period of time.



The Autumn colours are fantastic.


Spectacular.

[Mathos]

This was nice too. A simple bridge across the water, it didn't really appear to lead anywhere, there was a very slight sign of a pathway leading up the hill. No doubt farmer had a need for the same.




Nice view here through the window of the Inn at Whitewall.




It's an absolutely outstanding setting.

The interior was magic as well.




I think I'm going to really enjoy dining out in The UK this winter, especially.




Plenty of Lamb Chops.

[Mathos]

There were two additional fireplaces in the section of the hotel in which we dined.



This is a bit dated (2005) from the Telegraph, but all the same, interesting reading.
Pint to pint: Inn at Whitewell









The landlord of the Inn at Whitewell in Lancashire is an ex-pupil of Fettes College, the Prime Minister's former alma mater.

I know this from my reading of Fruity and the Ferret: the Publican Schoolboy Guide. It is a guide that prints the school colours of mine host after the name of the pub. It also has symbols indicating that the boozer will welcome smokers, hunting parties and well-behaved children.

There will be those that think that a book that celebrates pubs and inns run by ex-public schoolboys adds little to the sum total of our lot. The chippy teetotal and those Blairites fooled by the Prime Minister's comprehensive school veneer will doubtless consider it elitist and wish to burn such seditious reading matter.

But I like to think that this skinny volume adds a further dimension to the general fount of drinking knowledge. After all, most public schoolboys are experienced in the pub fundamentals of male bonding, beer, fags, the bogs, a decent claret and nursery food.
The Inn at Whitewell is a former Victorian deer-keeper's lodge deep in the rolling wooded hills of the Bowland Forest to the south of the Yorkshire Dales. It is one of the book's 40 recommended "hooray" hostelries and has the shabby grandeur of a frayed Jermyn Street shirt.


The usual suffocating good taste of the gastro-pub has been rejected in favour of a muddle of good and bad auction-house furniture, unusual sporting prints and a stuffed fox climbing through a wall under the staircase.

The bar sells three cask ales and majors in Norfolk kippers (although I opted for the excellent liver and bacon with my pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord). It has a magnificent wine list, a daily chalkboard menu of locally produced food and all the broadsheet newspapers are available, plus the current edition of the Beano.

It is an establishment of huge charm. And while I question the conclusion of Fruity and the Ferret that because the landlord went to Fettes the pub necessarily runs like clockwork and welcomes dogs, it does at least prove that a Blairite whitewashing of a good background is not imperative to be a governor.










They had an amazing store of logs to the rear of The Hotel. I bet they go through some in a cold winter as well.

You can't beat an open fire.

[Mathos]

More outstanding countryside.



The Trough itself is an amazing section of The County and Ribble Valley especially.

When I was in my teens, we used to ride the twists and turns of these spectacular roads on our Road Rockets.



Worth looking at as well.

BSA
Classic Motorcycle Museum - BSA. ... The Road Rocket had a bit more go and as the Super Rocket slightly better


Takes me back in time, this is interesting too.

1960 BSA Super Rocket - Classic Motorcycle Review - RealClassic.co.uk
1960 BSA Super Rocket - Classic Bike Review - RealClassic.co.uk. ... The bike was off the road for most of 2003 to get the tank and mudguards refurbished. ...

[TSR2]

Funny you mentioned BSAs, I have got a 1957 Shooting Star 500cc in mint condition,(I mean mint) also got an Ariel Square 4 1958 plus bullet side car, Ariel Golden Arrow 250cc 1961, Ariel Huntmaster 650cc 1958, these in same condition as the BSA, Triumph Tiger Cub, and a Triumph Trident T160 1976, this has only done 5000mls in 32 years, still got its original tyres,
Mathos if you want to see them they are in the gallery under TSR2s file or around no 25 in from recent uploads,

used to drink at the Inn at Whitewell in the early 60s, the then owner had a Facel Vega HK500 quite a rare car then and now, French built with a 6 litre Chrysler engine,

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by Mathos

I don't know if the stripe effect as shown on the little ones lasts for a life time. I never saw any kind of 'Hog' with stripes before these two.

As they get older they lose the stripes.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

Funny you mentioned BSAs, I have got a 1957 Shooting Star 500cc in mint condition,(I mean mint) also got an Ariel Square 4 1958 plus bullet side car, Ariel Golden Arrow 250cc 1961, Ariel Huntmaster 650cc 1958, these in same condition as the BSA, Triumph Tiger Cub, and a Triumph Trident T160 1976, this has only done 5000mls in 32 years, still got its original tyres,
Mathos if you want to see them they are in the gallery under TSR2s file or around no 25 in from recent uploads,

used to drink at the Inn at Whitewell in the early 60s, the then owner had a Facel Vega HK500 quite a rare car then and now, French built with a 6 litre Chrysler engine,

That's quite a collection you have TSR2. In fact it's a bloody outstanding collection. The Tiger Cub, just to initially mention one of them must be a specimen and a half. Well they all must be.



I trust they are well stored and greased up etc. You surely do not keep them out of the UK do you?

I tried to find your photographs of the same, but have obviously to learn how to master the Teak-Door Gallery.

I'll try again later.

You hardly ever hear a throbbing engine like The Rocket, Shooting Star or any of the bigger bikes you have mentioned today. They 'whine'

There was something very special being astride such bikes, blasting down the A49 to Lil's from Jennings place {Thorntrees} or Anne's Café at Leyland.


This is unreal, never thought anything would come up for Lil's Café.

Wigan Messageboard - wiganworld
After reading with much interest about Lil's cafe i though you would like to see this.Lil's was on the A49 about a mile north of Standish.This is 1963. ...
Wigan Messageboard - wiganworld=




This Memory Lane connection is a cracker!

Standish Talk • View topic - Memory Lane.
If it's not about Standish, then this is the place to chat. .... Cyril Hatton's dairy farm and Lil's

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

As they get older they lose the stripes.

Thanks DD.

Couple of extra snaps here as well.




They don't half make a hell of a mess of the ground.





A couple of worthy links here as well. (Beer and Pork)



Ribble Valley farmer seals deal for beer bangers (From Lancashire ...

25 Jul 2008 ... As both pig farmers and brewers feel the affect of the increased price of ... The people of Lancashire are lucky to have such excellent on ...
www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/.../3547882.Ribble_Valley_farmer_seals_deal_for_beer_bangers/ - 40k - Cached - Similar pages



Interesting links with additional attachments.

Lancashire Farm Shops and Farmers Markets in Lancashire

Lancashire Farm Shops and Farmers Markets are noted for the quality of ... A mixed

[Mathos]

Some outstanding colours in these photographs, but again, they really need viewing full screen size to get the best out of them.

This particular one is superb, it makes a fantastic screen saver too.




These 'Gorse Bushes' are becoming very popular in large gardens of late I have noticed. They are normally a forestry type bush, but the yellow and green on a neatly pruned bush especially looks very effective.




There are some really nice and very attractive looking scenic photographs in my collection from the areas visited, which deserve to be placed on the thread. I'll try and make time to place some more on this coming winter.




Once again, more spectacular autumn colours, the one below with the river as well is really special.

[Mathos]

We are both looking forward to Christmas in the UK this year, especially at home.

Both daughters and their families will be round on Christmas and Boxing Day so that should be fun.

It's quite amazing how it creeps up on you as well. It's less than seven weeks now and that means very little time to do everything Flobo wants doing!


I'll stick some photographs on of a typical English Christmas if that is likely to be appreciated of course.


It's amazing how many do's we have been invited to in the run up to and between Christmas and New Year. Should keep us quite busy.


Back to the thread:-





This Map was on public view in the Valley, it was worth taking a photograph of as it is quite informative.


Basically I'm just putting a few scenic shots on this post.





Well worth an airing that's for sure.




It's quite amazing how the trees vary in their own specific rates of shedding leaves in autumn.


You don't come across many of these in Lancashire either.




Meercats at The Boar Park entrance.

A bit of a novelty for the kids I reckon.

Some nice property in the area.



The Sky looked rather threatening on the photograph below.



All in all though, dodging a few showers or even downpours isn't too much to bear at all.