A wonderful example of industrial history can be found less than one hours traveling from our area. I am referring to the Hoffman Kiln at Langclife near Settle. Continue reading “The Hoffmann Kiln”
The Hoffmann Kiln
Wycoller Monuments Project 8
It was good to meet up with the gang of volunteer wardens and Friends of Wycoller after having three weeks off. There was a slight sense of urgency as we began preparations for the ‘Wonders and Mysteries of Historic Wycoller’ event on 17th May, but not enough to stop us observing Blue Tits nesting via a hidden camera and watching the ducklings waddle around the toilet block to the pond! Continue reading “Wycoller Monuments Project 8”
April Garden Photos
Things are warming up at Park Hill with more visitors arriving each day. The gardens are also coming to life and photos taken by Joe on 30th April have been added to the Spring Pinterest Board.
Many thanks to our gardeners and garden volunteers for all their efforts. If you fancy spending some time helping out in the garden, just contact Angela on 01282 677154 angela.white@htnw.co.uk
Bluebells are Out
The annual bluebell carpets at Spring Wood are now almost fully out. They are one of the best shows of blue bells you will see. It was a cold dull day but they still looked impressive. Continue reading “Bluebells are Out”
April Showers from Pendle Hill
We were on Pendle Hill watching the showers sweeping across Blackburnshire this Saturday evening. Continue reading “April Showers from Pendle Hill”
Ightenhill Manor – £30,000 Grant for archaeology
Ightenhill Parish Council has been awarded almost £30,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to undertake archaeological and interpretation work at the site of the ancient Ightenhill Manor House. In medieval times, Ightenhill was the organizational centre of the vaccary farms of Pendle, Trawden, Accrington and Rossendale Forests. Full story here.
Pendle’s Hidden Valley, Field Walk 26th April 2014
Please find attached the field walk report here 140426Craggs
Conservation work at Sawley Abbey
Sawley Abbey is an important ancient monument nestling close to Pendle Hill and cared for by English Heritage with assistance from Heritage Trust for the North West. While the grounds have been kept in excellent condition by the Trust, the monument itself has slowly declined with the walls shedding mortar and stone fragments and the 
tiles of the medieval chapel floors damaged by damp and frost action. Continue reading “Conservation work at Sawley Abbey”
Spring Trip
Click below for a report of the trip to Peterborough, Ely and Lincoln
Concern over the Future of Brierfield Town Hall
There is some uncertainty over the future of Brierfield Town Hall according to the Burnley Express. The Town hall is a Grade II Listed Building (click here) lying at the centre of the town.
This old photograph can be found on the Brierciffe Society web site.
Membership Mailing Workshop
Membership secretary, Cathryne Lobley, had us well organised today stuffing envelopes with everyone’s new membership card and an update on events. You should be receiving these in the next day or two.
Wycoller Monuments Project 7
The Conservation Group met up again on 09/04/2014 to carry on the monuments project at Wycoller. Continue reading “Wycoller Monuments Project 7”
Spring Wood before the Bluebells
Spring Wood, Whalley is best known for its fabulous bluebell display in late Spring. In early spring there is a brief moment when the woodland lights up before the trees come into leaf and shade out the sunshine. Continue reading “Spring Wood before the Bluebells”
Pendle`s Hidden Valley: Field Walk 5th April
A small group joined by new member, Len, undertook a field walk of a portion of the Hidden Valley, commencing from the track adjacent to St Nicholas’ church. With a very helpful commentary on the history of the area from Brian, the lodges and bank features were pointed out and ancient field boundaries noted. The site of a bloomery, previously noted, was examined and the possibility of carrying out trial trenches excavation this summer discussed. The route covered took us up the side of Black Hill which gave a good overview of the valley and down the hillside back into the village of Sabden. Brian pointed out a trackway which he thought was the original road down from the hilltop and across the valley. We all agreed that this looked very probable. The area around the bridge was examined, looking for possible mill lodge overflows into the river.
Time and the weather defeated us at that point so it was agreed that the planned second portion of the route across the other side of the valley would take place at a later date
Four Spring Talks plus a Surprise!
Friday evening’s ‘Four Spring Talks’ was a relaxed and very enjoyable time. Alex Whitlock got things off to a good start with a fascinating overview of the pre-historic stone tools found in recent years in the Wycoller area, most of which are of Mesolithic date. Paul Hickman continued the archaeological theme by descibing four digs he was involved in last year, in the counties of Dorset, Cumbria and Lancashire. Gillian Greenwood returned the focus to Wycoller and Trawden by showing the great variety of bridges, ancient and modern, that exist there while David Morris illustrated the recent restoration of Rochdale Town Hall’s Victorian Exchange. Mike Handford then surprised everybody by announcing his discovery of several documents from the early days of the Archaeology Group, including the hand-written minutes of the very first meeting in 1983, which several present had actually been at. The evening finished with tea, coffee and buisuits and much discussion and reminiscing!
Garden Photos
The Spring sunshine has lit up Park Hill and Barrowford Park on a few occasions recently and the odd flower or blossom has responded. Here are a few photographs taken on 21st and 22nd March.
Peter Short Retires
After more than 21 years as Wycoller Country Park Warden, Peter Short has decided to take early retirement. Continue reading “Peter Short Retires”
REPORT OF HIDDEN VALLEY FIELD WALK
As promised, here is the Archaeology report for 22nd February.
More photos are on the original post here.
Publicity and Mailing Workshop – 24th March
Six of us had a nice time in a sunny Barn stuffing evelopes and organising leaflets for libraries. Fun conversation was followed by a great lunch from the tearoom. Our next work publicity and mailing workshop is on Monday 4th April, 10am till noon. Come along!
Pendle’s Hidden Valley – 22nd March
Here is a very quick précis of a short day before we got rained off. We will do the planned walk next time.
After separating from out barn recording friends at the Pendle Heritage Centre, four of us did a short walk to the spot east of Sabden where Read History Group found slag on Tuesday.
Having looked at the site, it looks highly likely that we have evidence of our third bloomery in the valley. The site may be more complete than our excavated Old House bloomery, though probably more disturbed. An initial series of test pits some time in the future would be useful rather than a full scale dig.