Lost in Bowland

Whalley Abbey

2012-01-14T15:39:00.000Z

It's been a while since I posted anything here - I've mostly been busy on other projects, and also seemed to spend last year revisiting places I've already written about. I'll try to do better this year! Here are a few shots I took today of a sunny and frosty Whalley Abbey:

Click here for more on Whalley Abbey.

Longridge Field Day 2011 Photos

2011-06-11T22:04:00.001+01:00

We've got a field and we're gonna use it

Another well supported and enjoyable Field Day this year - here are a few shots of the floats and my mob in fancy dress...

Chris - Penguin

Hol - Flower

The kids ready for action

2 to School Preschool Royal Wedding

Organised chaos at the Civic Hall

St Wilfrid's Alien Invasion

ATC Bomber Command - last seen over Ribchester

Longridge Town FC go with a ~~netball~~ football theme

Church Brigades National Band

Bright and Beautiful - Church Brigades/Longridge CE School

Superheroes of Barnacre Road Primary

Christ Church Adult Disability & Arts

Royal Wedding, Chipping Style

Brave choice - our Rob as a rabbit

The Queen and Entourage

Longridge Field Day 2011 Programme

2011-06-02T19:12:00.012+01:00

Update: I've now posted some pictures of Longridge Field Day 2011.

This is a quick plug for Longridge Field Day - it seems to come around quicker each year! Longridge Field Day 2011 will be held on Saturday 11 June, with the main events running from noon until 6pm, and the Fun Fair continuing until 9pm. It was great fun and well run (and policed) last year, so wasn't marred by the drunken rioting which has occasionally taken the shine off previous events. Hopefully it will be just as family-friendly this time.

Here's the running order, lifted straight from the official Longridge Field Day programme:

10:30 Judging of Decorated Houses/Shops by the Mayor

12:00 Parade assembles at Civic Hall

12:30 Parade moves off led by Vintage/Classic Cars and Bikes

3:30 Punch and Judy

3:30 Judging of the Vintage/Classic Cars and Gold Wing Bikes

3:30 Scarecrow Competition Judging

Events in the Main Arena

1:45 Crowning of the Field Day Queen, Lydia Richardson

2:00 Fancy Dress Judging

2:30 Longridge Gym Club Display

3:00 Janet Sutcliffe School of Dancing Display

3:30 Brigade Band

3:45 Brian's Owl Display

4:00 Football and Tug-of-War Semi Finals

4:45 Football and Tug-of-War Final

5:00 Field Day Raffle Draw

Keep your fingers crossed for some sunshine & I'll see you there.

Brockholes, Lancashire's newest nature reserve

2011-05-29T19:39:00.003+01:00

Brockholes Nature Reserve

Brockholes is a brand new nature reserve owned and operated by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Brockholes is easy to get to, lying just beside Junction 31 of the M6 near Preston. The reserve offers a range of habitats for wildlife including lakes and pools formed by flooding former gravel pits, an area of marshland, and is flanked by a section of the River Ribble and ancient woodland.

In the visitors centre

Canada Geese with goslings

Help! Chris on the climbing wall.

Great for wildlife and visitors alike, the Wildlife Trust has made efforts to ensure the resort has something for everyone, and families with children are well catered for. The impressive floating visitors village offers an information centre featuring interactive exhibits, a large and reasonably priced cafe/restaurant, farm and gift shops, decent toilets, and conference facilities. The modern buildings have been created using sustainable materials, and I think they look great in the environment, whilst bringing in funds to support the ongoing development and maintenance of the reserve.

Common Orchid

Meg enjoys making a crafty bee.

Damselfly

Unusual exhibit

There are walking trails of various lengths around the reserve - we just walked a short way today, up one side of Meadow Lake and back along the Ribble. The kids gave the nice playground a resounding "thumbs up", and also joined in with the indoor craft activities running this weekend. They also enjoyed an outdoor climbing wall which was visiting.

Heron Sculpture in Brockholes Visitors Centre

Holly Climbing

Kids are welcome at Brockholes

Divers from North West Model Shipwrights exhibition

Small(?) Red Damselfly

Rob and Chris enjoy the tyre swing

Rob, Chris and Holly on the giant swing

Another climber in trouble (Rob)

Rob on the tyre swing

Gravel Chute

Young Ornithologist (Rosie)

Wooden Tractor

Small White Butterfly

Boarding the floating visitors village

Although it is early days for Brockholes, and development is still underway around parts of the reserve, I'm really impressed with what has been achieved so far, and was encouraged by the unsolicited positive responses from the kids, who were genuinely enthusiastic about the wildlife we saw. We'll definitely be back regularly over the coming years, especially as the free entry and reasonable sliding-scale car park charges make it feasible to drop in for a couple of hours without breaking the bank (by contrast the Wildfowl Trust reserve at Martin Mere charges our family of seven enough admission that we only go every couple of years). I look forward to seeing Brockholes develop, and will post periodic updates here on Lost in Bowland.

Find out more at the Brockholes website.

King Creosote at the 3rd Middle Earth Beer Festival, Hurst Green

2011-04-29T02:46:00.006+01:00

Tonight was the first of three consecutive events making up the 3rd Middle Earth Beer Festival. An intoxicating mix of real ale and live music, the festival is organised by the Aspinall Arms, Mitton and held in the Hurst Green Memorial Hall.

I went along to see King Creosote (folkish Fife singer/songwriter Kenny Anderson with band) and had a great time. I don't drink, but my friends rated the lager-style Silver King from the Ossett brewery.

Here are a few stills from the set, and a somewhat wobbly video of King Creosote in action, performing "Nooks":

King Creosote - Kenny Anderson

You can find more information about the Middle Earth Beer Festival here.

I've a previous post on Stonyhurst College Gardens which explains the Hurst Green/Middle Earth connection...

Follow this link to explore King Creosote Tracks on Amazon (affiliate link).

St Wilfrid's Ribchester - November Sun

2010-11-07T17:06:00.000Z

Continuing with the November Sun theme (and making the most of the calm before the storm), here are some pictures I took around St Wilfrid's Church in Ribchester this afternoon. Please let me know what you think!

Beacon Fell - Birds

2010-11-06T20:22:00.001Z

I took so many pictures at Beacon Fell this morning, I've collected the birds into a separate post. Coal tits and blue tits were enjoying the peanut feeder behind the Bowland Visitors Centre, and I've included a mallard pair on the Tarn for good measure.

Beacon Fell - November Sun

2010-11-06T20:22:00.000Z

I had some time to myself on Beacon Fell this morning, so I made the most of the late Autumn sun to wander around the woods and trails and grab a few shots of the scenery. I hope you enjoy them.

The Big Longridge Weekend - Friday 8th - Sunday 10th October 2010

2010-10-04T21:45:00.000+01:00

This is a quick plug for The Big Longridge Weekend which starts this Friday. I'll be going along to support it, and I am really looking forward to getting inside the newly restored and extended Old Station Building, which should be a great asset to the community for years to come.

Full details are available on the Goosnargh and Longridge Show website, and there is also a Big Longridge Weekend Facebook Group.

Clitheroe Castle - Autumn Scenes

2010-10-04T21:18:00.001+01:00

War Memorial and Trees by Clitheroe Castle

A couple of weeks back I found myself with a morning to kill in Clitheroe. It was a beautiful Autumn day, sunny and fresh, and everything looked great, with the views to the hills largely free from the heat haze that you get in the Summer. Here are a few pictures I took around Clitheroe Castle - they seem to have come out with a remembrance theme, apt for this time of year.

St Mary Magdelene's Church and Cement Works

Clitheroe Castle from War Memorial

Clitheroe Castle - view to Longridge Fell

Longridge and Parlick Fells

Longridge Fell through Archway

St George's Flag

War Memorial and Clitheroe Castle

War Memorial and Pendle Hill

Bowland Wild Boar Park

2010-10-03T22:08:00.001+01:00

Pig at Bowland Wild Boar Park

Bowland Wild Boar Park, located close to the village of Chipping, is a nice take on the farm park concept. Set in a valley, flanked by the River Hodder, it hosts a selection of farm and exotic animals; the wild boar for which it was named, red and fallow deer, wallabies, meerkats and more. In addition to the animals, the park also offers a series of nature walks, along the bank of the Hodder and up through the wooded valley side - good for watching birds and other wildlife. There are indoor and outdoor play facilities, including a well-stocked playground with two zipwires (always a bottleneck), tractor and barrel rides, and a cafe with a decent selection of meals for adults and children, some made with produce from the farm. Bowland Wild Boar Park is a lovely place to visit, great for families with kids, and with enough to interest those without children too. Here are some snaps taken from our visit last month:

European Eagle Owl

Fallow Deer

Acting the goat - Chris and Megan

Chick handling - Holly, Meg and Rosie

Chicks

Barrel Ride

Meerkat

Meg Seesaws

Pond

River Hodder

Robert Overheating in the Playbarn

Rosie on Rabbit Sculpture

Wallaby

Wild Boar

Stripy - Young Wild Boar

Chicken

Find out more at the Bowland Wild Boar Park website.

Myerscough College Gardens - Six Butterflies and a Baby Bunny

2010-08-21T20:16:00.012+01:00

Red Admiral

I'm back in Lancashire, having had a great couple of weeks exploring County Durham and Northumberland with the family. The sun made an appearance today, so we shot over to Myerscough College for a spot of lunch and a wander around the gardens. It was a great day for butterfly spotting, and I managed to take some reasonable pictures of some common ones - please correct me if I've misidentified any. There were also some wild rabbits young and daft enough to let us get close.

Comma

Large White

Peacock

Small Tortoiseshell

Speckled Wood

Young Wild Rabbit

lostnortheast Holiday Special

2010-08-07T09:58:00.008+01:00


Old Post Bus by Derwent Reservoir

I'm away with the family for a couple of weeks staying by Derwent Reservoir, County Durham, within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can see what we discover at lostnortheast.

P.S. I'll be selling the minibus when we get back - drop me a line if you're interested.

Calder Vale Walk

2010-08-01T22:50:00.003+01:00

Ducklings at Calder Vale Mill Pond

The village of Calder Vale nestles in a steep sided valley around the River Calder, in the west of Bowland close to the A6 and the market town of Garstang. It was originally founded by Quakers Jonathan and Richard Jackson, who sited a water-powered cotton mill, Lappet Mill, here in 1835 and built the stone terraced housing for the workers. The Lappet Mill is still in use today, having found a niche weaving cotton for Arab headscarves, and although it is no longer water-powered the original mill pond and sluice machinery remain.

Calder Vale Methodist Chapel and Lappet Mill

The road to Calder Vale reaches a dead-end at the village, and the plethora of Private Land and No-Parking signs that affront you as you drive across the bridge towards Lappet Mill reinforces the cul-de-sac vibe. The trend for prohibition signs continues around the village, reaching critical mass at the millpond, where all kinds of unsafe activities must have been attempted in the past! On a more positive note, the many public footpaths running from and around the village are also well signed, and the village has a bus service running from Garstang. All the places discussed are marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL41 map.

Public Footpath Signs

Having found an approved parking spot outside the village hall, and with eldest daughter Holly in tow, we crossed the Calder Bridge and took a look at the Methodist Chapel and Lappet Mill buildings before heading off in the direction of Church Wood (also signed Calder Vale Circular Walk Green). We travelled by the smart stone terraced cottages of Long Row Terrace, with the first of many wild rabbits playing on the grass opposite, before entering the wood, signed Footpath to St John's Church. The broad tarmac path took us past a large, still millpond filled with curious ducks, and with the Calder to our left ascended steeply up to the church of St John the Evangelist. We passed through the churchyard and attached primary school grounds, then joined a country lane.

Long Row Terrace

Mill Pond Approach

River Calder at Church Wood Calder Vale

River Calder Weir

Sluice Gate Machinery

Calder Vale Mill Pond

St John the Evangelist Church

We bore right, signed Landskill and Delph Lane, and followed the lane up the hill through open hill farmyard. We were treated to fabulous open views across to Cobble Hey in the south and Blackpool Tower to the west. What seemed like hundreds of wild rabbits bobbed about all over the fields, while swallows zipped about overhead. There were also free-range chickens, sheep and cows in abundance, and a couple of friendly black pigs for good measure.

View from hills above Calder Vale

Black Pigs

We continued to follow the green Circular Walk discs which took us through a series of farms before leading us back down the hill and returning to Long Row Terrace close to where we started. The whole of the circular walk was on good surfaced paths suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users, although we did cross several cattle grids.

Free Range Chicken

Eager to explore a bit more of the village, Holly and I continued on through Lappet Mill, following the signs for Sullom Side, and continued on the east bank of the Calder. In contrast to the circular walk, this path was boggy and ill-defined, passing right through a farmer's field, and would not be suitable for those not sure-footed. We followed this path until a footbridge took us back over the Calder. After crossing the bridge we followed the road back along the west side of the river, continuing back to the village hall and our car home.

Footbridge over River Calder

Holly Walking

Calder Vale is both a beautiful spot to visit and walk around, and an interesting living reminder of the industrial history of cotton production in Lancashire. We'll be back to explore further.

Marles Wood to Dinckley Footbridge - River Ribble Walk

2010-07-31T21:50:00.021+01:00

River Ribble at Marles Wood

Taking a chance with the showery weather, I took my eldest three off for a walk along the River Ribble from Marles Wood down to Dinckley Footbridge. Marles Wood is a quiet and beautiful piece of woodland close to Salesbury Hall, to the west of the Roman village of Ribchester.

There is a purpose-built car park at Marles Wood. To find it, take a sharp left after the Ribchester Bridge if coming from Ribchester, or a right just before the bridge if coming from the A59 - it is easily missed - then follow the lane past Salesbury hall. The car park is on the left. The area is covered by the OS Explorer 287 map, falling just outside the Explorer OL41 which covers most of Bowland and Ribblesdale.

Marles Wood

The path through Marles Wood is easy to follow, but is unsuitable for most wheelchair and pushchair users, as it initially descends down a series of irregular steps, and is muddy and rutted in places. Mountain biking is not allowed.

Oak Bracket Fungus

The woodland is of mixed native trees, mostly deciduous with the odd Scots Pine. There are plenty of fine Oak and Beech specimens, along with Sycamore, Birch, Alder, Holly and Elder.


Jew's Ear fungus - from legend that Judas hung himself on an elder

The woodland floor supports a good variety of wild flowers and fungi, and the smell of wild garlic hangs heavy in the air. The invasive Himalayan Balsam is present, as in all places wet and woody these days, but hasn't got the upper hand here yet.

Woodland fungus

Woodland fungus - holds pool of water

The River Ribble is splendid at this point, wide and shallow and popular with fly fishermen and pebble-skimmers alike. We saw fish surfacing to snatch insects, fry swimming in the shallows, and a pair of Grey Wagtails cruising along above the water.

Hol, Rob and Chris by the Ribble

Himalayan Balsam - invasive

Haw ripening on Hawthorn

Leaving the woods, the path continues alongside the Ribble through open boggy meadows, which support more diverse plant and animal species. We saw a variey of fungi, and the Thistles and other wild flowers were alive with insects.

Chris skimming stones

Thistle

Rob, Chris and Hol climbing a dead tree

Yellow meadow fungus

Meadow fungus - unusual shape

Metallic green beetle

Dinckley Footbridge - Holly rests

We walked as far as the Dinckley Footbridge before turning back, although public footpaths continue on to Dinckley on the same side, and across the bridge towards Hurst Green. It is possible to cross the bridge, then join the Ribble Way running in the opposite direction on the other side to make a circular walk.

Spot the Roe Deer

A great treat for the kids heading back was to spot some Roe Deer in the distance. This one hid, then some younger deer came bounding past.

This really is a great spot for walkers, anglers, picnickers and naturalists - just don't tell everyone about it!

Platform Gallery, Clitheroe

2010-07-27T16:12:00.010+01:00


The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe

The Platform Gallery, housed in former railway station buildings in Clitheroe, is an art gallery specialising in contemporary crafts produced by artists working locally and nationwide. It is a good option for those looking for some free rainy-day entertainment. The gallery has two current exhibitions, both with a recyling theme.

Precious: Reclaiming Art and Craft, in the main gallery, is on tour from Hove Museum and Art Gallery, and features the work of nineteen artists (listed below) produced from recycled and found objects. Precious runs until 4 September 2010.

Ribble Valley Schools Recycling Art Competition, in the education room until 21 August 2010, features drawings from primary school children from the area on the theme of recycling. Visitors can make their own craft creations from scrap materials provided by the gallery.

A craft shop has a range of craft products for sale, starting at modest prices. The gallery participates in the Own Art loan scheme, allowing more expensive work to be purchased with an interest free loan.

Apologies for the lack of pictures - photography is not allowed inside the gallery.

For more information including opening times, directions and forthcoming events see here.

Artists featured in the Precious exhibition: Kelvin J Birk, Tracey Bush, Circus Kinetica, David Clarke, Donya Coward, Mary Crabb, Stephanie Douet, Amy Douglas, Jools Johnson, Becky Knight, Margaret Marks, Andrew Mockett, Joanna Mowbray, Mark Oliver, Claire Palfreyman, Kate Parrott, Betty Pepper, Jasmine Pradissitto and Pamela Schilderman.

The Wits Playspace at Witton Country Park

2010-07-25T17:42:00.006+01:00

The Wits Playspace, Witton Country Park

Witton Country Park is a large area of open parkland, woods and farmland lying to the west of Blackburn, crossed by the Rivers Darwen and Blakewater. Witton Park is free to visit, and is popular with walkers, dog owners, cyclists, horse riders, wildlife watchers, athletes (there's an outdoor running track) and families with children.

Kids were already pretty well served for play equipment, with three separate areas by the running track. It just got better with the opening of The Wits Playspace, an all-new adventure playground with equipment suitable for children from age 3 up to early teens.

We tried it out for the first time today - here are the pictures:

Aerial walkway

Giant slide

Balancing beam

Giant swing

Wooden playframe

Tree sculpture

Rope swing


Smaller slide - suitable for younger children

Climbing dome

Tunnel - the toddler playground has been improved too

You can find out more about Witton Country Park, including directions and special events, here.

Stonyhurst College Gardens

2010-07-24T17:15:00.021+01:00

Stonyhurst College

Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic boarding school near the village of Hurst Green on the Longridge to Clitheroe Road. The school has an interesting history, being originally founded in France to educate English Catholics when that kind of this was frowned upon at home. Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien was a frequent visitor to the area, as his son taught at Stonyhurst, and is said to have found inspiration for his novel The Lord of the Rings here.

St Peter's Church and Stonyhurst College from the gardens

Both the gardens and house are open to the public; we visited the gardens, which cost £1 per adult. The gardens feature an ornamental pond with goldfish and water lilies, a rose garden, formal lawns and borders surrounded by tall yew hedges, and a walled orchard. A selection of mature conifers frame the views across to Clitheroe and the hills in one direction, and St Peter's Church and the college buildings in another.

Apples in the walled orchard

Bee feeding

Another bee

A Hobbit? Robert didn't get offered a scholarship.

Water lily

The garden area open to the public isn't massive, so it didn't take long to view it all, but those looking for a longer walk can follow the public footpaths running through the estate.

St Peter's Church - a nice place to get married

You can find out more at the Stonyhurst College website - details of opening times and admission charges are here.

Ribble Steam Railway

2010-07-18T17:36:00.007+01:00

Ribble Steam Railway Museum

The Ribble Steam Railway lies within the redeveloped Riversway Dockland area of Preston, just off the A583 heading west out of the city. Staffed by enthusiastic volunteers who restore, maintain and run the collection of steam engines and trains, it offers indoor museum and workshop areas, a small cafe, and a short train ride. The line runs through the dockland area, passing through a marina then running alongside the River Ribble for around a mile and a half before returning the same way. The engine changes ends at the half-way point, and the children enjoyed watching through the guard's compartment as it rejoined the train with a bump.

Model traction engine

The museum contains a good selection of restored engines and carriages, old tools and signs, and models showing the working of the engines. I don't know whether it is a regular feature, but on our visit today a volunteer had set up a model train which we had a ride on - the kids loved it, particularly little Megan, as you can see for yourself in this clip:

Holly playing cranes

The museum included educational exhibits, play areas for younger kids, and the chance to dress up in railway gear.

All aboard! Chris dressing up.

Working steam engine

On the platform - admission includes unlimited train rides

The railway workshop is also open to visitors where you can see more engines in various stages of restoration. Seeing this, you can really appreciate the time and effort the volunteers have put in to create the finished exhibits.

Ribble Steam Railway is a great example of a local, enthusiast-run museum, and is worth a visit with or without kids, particularly when the weather is poor.

You can find more information including up-to-date prices, opening times, special events and directions at the Ribble Steam Railway website.

Goosnargh and Longridge Agricultural Show 2010

2010-07-10T21:17:00.143+01:00

Bullock at the Goosnargh and Longridge Show

It was a bit drizzly and overcast first thing, but feeling optimistic I headed over to the show ground on Lower Lane, Longridge for this years show, with wife Maggie and littlest child Megan for company. Our gamble paid off as it soon stopped raining and warmed up nicely.

Meg gets a donkey ride

Admission this year was £5 per adult or £10 for a family ticket - included in this was a goody bag for the kids including a free donkey ride. There was also a bouncy slide, climbing wall, quad bike circuit, and a range of craft activities for children. For adults there was a beer tent with jazz band, a farmers market selling locally produced foods (lots of pies), a range of other stalls promoting local charities and businesses, and selling outdoor clothing, animal products, crafts etc, in addition to the usual pet, livestock and produce competitions.

Barn Owl

Megan really enjoyed seeing the birds at the Cuerden Birds of Prey stall, and waited patiently for a chance to hold the Little Owl.

Little Owl

Owl flight demonstration

Sheep shearing

There were a selection of rare breed sheep, cattle, horses and dogs on show. We also saw a sheep shearing demonstration - this sheep looked glad to lose its fleece in the heat - and a fine display of dog disobedience (the poor things were a bit overwhelmed by the grass and crowds).

Clever chicken - prizewinning eggs

Vintage BSA motorcycles

Prize horses on show

Something for everyone on the market stalls


Tug of war - Chorley's Top Lock Tuggers take the strain

The tug of war competition was highly entertaining, as the young farmers of Longridge, Chipping and Bury took on, well, old farmers from Longridge and elsewhere, and anyone else who could be roped in to make up the numbers.


David Brown tractor

The day finished for me with a fantastic collection of lovingly restored old tractors and other vehicles parading around the arena - an impressive site when you get so many together.


Steam engine

Ford Model T

The organisers of the Goosnargh and Longridge show have done well this year to round up such a varied collection of things to see and do. The show was well worth the entrance fee and I hope it goes from strength to strength in coming years.

Clitheroe Castle Museum

2010-07-10T10:33:00.030+01:00

Clitheroe Castle Museum is a recently redeveloped local museum forming part of the castle in the heart of the thriving market town of Clitheroe, which lies between the two sections of Bowland just off the A59. The museum offers exhibits on the social and natural history of Clitheroe, Bowland and the Ribble Valley from pre-historic times through the Norman invasion (when the castle was established), the industrial revolution, to the present day including the wildlife supported by the area.

Young explorers

Entry to the museum is free for children and £3.50 for adults, and parking is available at a nearby pay-and-display car park. Children get the chance to don explorer backpacks and pith helmets and explore the museum searching for clues, which did a great job of engaging my lot, who raced around having a great time. Lots of the exhibits are interactive, allowing the kids to dress up, press buttons, pull levers and generally play around, which helps keep them happy giving the adults chance to take in the detail in peace.

No mod cons

The staff were helpful, enthusiastic and child-friendly, both in the museum itself and also the adjacent cafe, which was light and airy, and provided quality snacks at a reasonable price.

Engrossing - Interactive exhibit

We enjoyed our visit to Clitheroe Castle Museum and I would recommend it as a good rainy-day option to occupy kids.

See the Lancashire Museums - Clitheroe Castle Museum for up-to-date information opening times, fees and events.

Brock Valley Picnic Site and Brock Bottoms

2010-07-04T15:31:00.035+01:00

I made a flying visit to Brock Bottoms yesterday, leaving the car at the Brock Valley Picnic Site and following the well maintained path (pushchair and wheelchair accessible, cycling not allowed) which forms part of the Brock Valley Nature Trail.

Brock Valley Picnic Site

It is a beautiful spot, with the River Brock flowing through mixed native woodland and more open meadow areas supporting a range of wildflowers and birds - the river itself looks like prime Dipper and Grey Wagtail territory although I didn't spot any while I was there.

River Brock

Much of the river is shallow and pebbly, great for kids to paddle and play safely. Well-signed paths lead off in every direction, making the site, with its decent car park, a good starting point for walkers looking to explore further afield.

Signposts on the Brock Valley Trail

Brock Bottoms Mill

The ruined remains of Brock Bottoms Mill are an interesting reminder of Lancashire's industrial history. The mill was built in the 18th Century to use the power of the River Brock to drive cotton spinning machinery.

Bannister Hey Farm

I continued along the main path as far as Bannister Hey Farm before turning back - you can continue on to Claughton Village this way for a longer walk.

I spent a lovely hour down by the Brock and will definitely be back to explore some more, so watch out for further reports!

More information is available on the Wyre Borough Council website: Brock Valley Picnic Site and Brock Bottoms

Goosnargh and Longridge Agricultural Show 2010 Preview

2010-07-04T10:36:00.004+01:00

It's Goosnargh & Longridge Agricultural Show next Saturday (10th July), promising the usual array of farm animal and pet exhibits, vintage tractors and other vehicles, kids crafts and bouncy slide, jazz band, farmers market, craft and food stalls. I've been before and it's a great day out whether you are taking kids or not - I hope the weather holds out this year!

Full details are available on the official Goosnargh and Longridge Agricultural Show website.

Parlick and Fairsnape Fell Walk

2010-06-26T22:43:00.025+01:00

Armed with a surprise afternoon pass (thanks Maggie) I slipped on my old walking boots and headed for the hills. Parlick and Fairsnape fells lie to the north west of the village of Chipping, and together with the adjacent Wolf, Blindhurst, Saddle and Home House fells form and extensive open access area. Popular with walkers and birdwatchers, the area is also used by gliders, which adds to the spectacle. The Ordnance Survey Explorer OL41 covers the area and names the places mentioned here.

Fell Foot approach to Parlick

Arriving via Chipping, I parked up on the lane leading to Fell Foot (there's a 'P' on the map) and headed up towards Parlick. The approach is fairly steep - I took the left path at the first fork which gives a gentler ascent than the more direct alternative, and takes the walker around the west side of Parlick.

View over Fell Foot to Longridge Fell

Once the initial climb is completed the walking on top of the fells is more undulating, criss-crossed with fences, walls and recognisable paths, so walking and navigation is pretty easy as long as the weather is good. I skirted around the peak and then followed the wall between Blindurst and Wolf fells.

Old Access Area Sign

I set my sights on a cairn on Parlick with a pole sticking out of it (marked as Paddy's Pole on the map) and followed a decent path towards it. It took an hour of steady walking under hot sun from the car to Paddy's Pole.

Paddy's Pole

Heading back the way I came, I picked up a fence heading up to the summit of Parlick. A fixed-wing glider was joined by one, then two paragliders and the three of them circled the fell in what looked like a game of cat-and-mouse.

Glider circling Parlick

Paraglider and Fairsnape Fell

From Parlick to Beacon Fell

Descending steeply from the summit, I rejoined the path back to Fell Foot which was by now alive with chirping grasshoppers and birdsong - I snapped a Meadow Pipit in song, a common breeding bird in the area and favourite host of the scheming cuckoo.

Meadow Pipit

Heading back to the car, the sense of being in another time I often feel in Bowland was heightened by the sight of an old Austin 7 left by another walker - a lovely way to end a two-hour wander.

Austin 7

Stocks Reservoir

2010-06-20T21:27:00.033+01:00

Stocks Reservoir lies to the north of the picturesque village of Slaidburn and adjacent to Gisburn Forest which lies to the east. It is a working reservoir, providing drinking water primarily for the Fylde area of Lancashire, and it is also managed by United Utilities to provide leisure facilities (for walking, fishing, picnics and birdwatching) and offer a variety of habitats for wildlife conservation (coniferous and broadleaf woodland, meadows, bog and moorland). The water catchment area around the reservoir is used for forestry and farming (mostly raising traditional Swaledale sheep).

We parked at the School Lane car park and walked a section of the 8 mile circular walk around the reservoir - roughly from points 1 to 6 and back on the map provided by United Utilities (available from the car park). There are no toilets here, so stop off in Slaidburn if you don't fancy hiding behind a tree!

The sun was out and the walking was easy along the well-maintained paths. Here are some pictures I took along the way:

Stocks Reservoir - looking a bit low

Foxgloves

Path through recently established deciduous woodland

Owl pellet squished open to show vole bones

Hillside view

Pair of bullocks

Dry-stone wishing well and walling by New House (Holly & Chris)

Orchid