The Abbeystead Disaster The Abbeystead Disaster happened this day 40 years ago on Wednesday the 23rd of May 1984, in the Upper Wyre valley near the village of Abbeystead. It was caused by an explosion of Methane gas in a valve house which was being visited by a party of local members of the public,Continue reading “The Abbeystead Disaster”
Author Archives: Northwest nature and history
Some notes on Placenames of the Northwest and the Ancient Wildwoods
The long and complex history of the British isles, composed of centuries of conquest and colonisation, has bequeathed to us a linguistic heritage unlike that of any other country, this is reflected most clearly in the history behind our place names. Inspired by the article I recently published about ‘Bothvar’s farm’ here we have aContinue reading “Some notes on Placenames of the Northwest and the Ancient Wildwoods”
The Common Adder
The Common Adder, Vipera berus, is locally common in the Northwest of England and can often be found in the summer sunbathing on paths in the woods or on the fells, it is one of only four species of snake in the British isles and the only species of snake that can be found withinContinue reading “The Common Adder”
The Early Purple Orchid
The Early Purple Orchid, Orchis mascula, is, as its name implies, one of the earliest orchids to appear in the British countryside, flowering in April, all the way through to June. Its scientific name; mascula, derives from the shape of its tubers and roots which are, not to put too fine a point on it,Continue reading “The Early Purple Orchid”
Painting Padiham
Painting Padiham is on today, there’s all sorts of stuff going on around town, the town hall archives are open, you can see the towns new murals and there’s even a vintage Leyland bus going up and down town from Gawthorpe hall so you can get about for free and in style! A B-H
Bothvar’s Cattle Farm
Bothvar was a Norse cattle farmer who settled in the Bowland area between 900 to 1100 AD, not much more is known about him or his fate, what is known is that he established a cattle farm near Dunsop bridge which is now called Beatrix Farm. The Norse that settled in the north of EnglandContinue reading “Bothvar’s Cattle Farm”
The Green Tiger Beetle
The Green Tiger beetle, Cicindela campestris, is a beautiful looking, strikingly iridescent, green beetle about 1 to 1.5cm long with yellow spots on its wing cases, they are superb and voracious predators and have the large eyes and mandibles needed to keep this appetite satisfied. Their scientific name originates from the Latin word cicindela, meaningContinue reading “The Green Tiger Beetle”
Conservation beyond boundaries
(Reblogging a wadertales post because I’ve never reblogged anything before and want to see how it works) When an environmental impact assessment concludes that only a small number of shorebirds will be affected by a new airport, because relatively small … Conservation beyond boundaries
Northwest Nature and History 