Category: Uncategorized

The blazing sunshine of East Lancashire had turned to dull cloud by the time we reached Sizergh Castle, just south of Kendal. Nevertheless, it was a great day out, albeit ‘men only’ with regard to members of the gardens group (what happened ladies?).

Sizergh isn’t a castle at all, rather a medieval fortified house, subsequently extended to form a nice courtyard. It was not quite the dangerous Scottish borderlands of yesteryear here but one can imagine a strong solar tower as at Sizergh being a good insurance policy in medieval times. Continue reading “Visit to Sizergh Castle Gardens”

On a damp June afternoon a surprisingly large number of people, from all over East Lancashire and beyond, arrived at the Heritage Centre.

Following a “welcome” drink on the Chevassut Garden lawn, with classical music playing in the background, they followed a map of the site to the beautiful 18th Century Walled Garden which was looking splendid thanks to Peter and the gardening group’s hours of hard work. Continue reading “Heritage Garden Open Day and Strawberry Tea 20th June 2015”

The site at the back of Wycoller Hall is now almost weed free following the spray in the Spring. I had a good meeting today with the Ranger, Sarah Dornan, discussing how the conservation group could best conserve the historic features there, while also trying to discover more about the mysterious walls, which appear to be early seventeenth century. We are aiming to tackle it in the summer and autumn, so watch this space for more information.

David M.

It was ‘rain stop play’ for the morning session of the gardens group but things improved a bit later on. As there was little to do in the walled garden, now all set for Saturday’s open afternoon, it was the turn of the woodland walk for some tlc and some not so tlc also! A couple of hours cutting and Continue reading “‘Rain Stop Play’”

Here are the local heritage stories of the past month. Hot off the press is the Heritage Trust’s restoration of Lomeshaye Bridge Mill, Whitefield, Nelson…

Nelson & Colne area…

Heritage Trust for NW brings new lease of life for Victorian mill

Nelson Whitefield housing scheme up for ‘Oscar’

Victory for Colne ‘Rough’ homes campaigners

The heyday of Brierfield Railway Station

Pendle Hill…

Plans for major £2.4million project to transform Pendle Hill revealed Continue reading “HERITAGE IN THE PRESS – MAY 2015”

We had a throughly enjoyable AGM on Wednesday evening (27th May) with an excellent turnout. There was a short business meeting comprising reports from the chairman, secretary and treasurer, as well as those from the organisers, followed by some minor changes to the constitution and the re-election of the committee. We then had a wonderful buffet followed by two historic films by Peter Copestake of Pendle Moviemakers. Continue reading “AGM, Films and Food”

On Thursday night, (21st May) there was an open evening for the art exhibition in the barn, with the principal artists present. The event was delightful and everyone enjoyed themselves, as the photos show. The exhibition is now in its last week and will end on Sunday, 31st May. Continue reading “Open Evening, Art exhibition at Pendle Heritage Centre”

As the new Sawley Hall is going up not so far away, English Heritage is continuing its much more modest conservation activities at the Abbey. Here, the ancient walls have mostly lost their outer layers leaving very soft crumbly masonry exposed to the elements. The conservators are carefully re-pointing in soft lime mortar and using soft-topping (or soft capping), with a layer of turf, on top of the walls. Continue reading “Conservation Work at Sawley Abbey”

Today at the historic gardens group, we decided to tackle (amongst other things) the Cornus Mas or Cornelian Cherry. Like all cherries, this ancient variety had grown large and dense with many ‘crazy’ branches shooting backwards and forwards through the tree. It was not an easy task working out the effect of each cut and avoiding damaging neighbouring branches. Continue reading “Tackling the Cornelian Cherry & the art exhibition”

Every May in Spring Wood, Whalley there is the showdown between the bluebells and the Ramsons (wild garlic). The bluebells normally win the aesthetic contest with wonderful carpets of blue across the woodland floor. However, this year, they were relatively subdued and it was the Ramsons that impressed with almost dizzying  blankets of white. Why this should be, who knows, but have a look at what I mean in the photos below (just click to enlarge). Continue reading “Ramsons 1 Bluebells 0”

The Friends are funding various repairs to the heritage centre and barn over the next month or two. We hope these won’t get in the way but apologise for any inconvenience if they do.

Despite very cold and uncertain weather 14 people, mainly members, turned up for what was an informative, and fascinating walk led by Brian Jeffrey to the site of the 18th Century coal mine about which he and Richard gave such a memorable talk last year (Late 18th Century Mechanisation of Dunkirk Coal Pit, Read).  Continue reading “A Walk to Constant Mary, Read”

Here are the heritage stories of the past month…

Roger Frost has written an excellent four-part account of the de Lacys, the dynasty which ruled our area in medieval times, plus an interesting article on the grounds of Townley Hall…

The first Lords of the Manor in Ightenhill

Roger from Hell and his links to Burnley Continue reading “HERITAGE IN THE PRESS – April 2015”

From 16th to 31st May, the Heritage Centre will be hosting an exhibition of painting, drawings and prints by Jo Taylor, Geoff Selkirk, Elizabeth Blackadder DBE, Sir Terry Frost and David Hockney.  Continue reading “Art Exhibition in May”

Somehow, we managed to avoid the worst of the showers that swirled round the rest of East Lancashire and managed a day’s excavation on Saturday 25th April. However, it was quite cold. Continue reading “Craggs Archaeological Dig, Hidden Valley, Sabden”