#History – Page 2 – Northwest Nature and History

Happy New Year!

Here’s wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous 2026! From Alex and Louise Burton-Hargreaves in Lancashire Louise & Alex Burton-Hargreaves (Dec 2025)

Common Ivy

Common ivy, scientifically known as Hedera helix, is an evergreen climbing plant native to, and ubiquitous throughout the British Isles, excepting the far north and a few spots like the Isle of Man.

The Lord of Misrule and his Merry band of Mummers

“Here we stand before your door, As we stood the year before; Give us whiskey, give us gin, Open the door and let us in.”

Christmas Song, by Edwin Waugh

Bring in the green holly, the box, and the yew, the fir, and the laurel, all sparkling with rime; Hang up to the ceiling the mistletoe-bough, and let us be jolly another yule-time!

Often dubbed the “greatest free light show on Earth,” Blackpool Illuminations have been dazzling visitors to the Lancashire seaside resort for nearly 150 years. The annual spectacle transforms the town’s promenade into an extravagant display of light, colour, and creativity, drawing millions of tourists each winter.

Cotton Chronicles: The Cotton Mill

Hum, whirl, click, click, clatter, Rolling, rambling, moving matter: Whizzing, hissing, hitting, missing, Pushing, pulling, turning, twisting.

Tommy Stroo’s Ghost by John Charles Twist

Th’ moon wur sheignin’ rare, an’ breet,

An’ stars wur twinklin’ o’er mi heyd,

When aw wur walkin’ deawn th’ owd street,

Wi’ Tommy Stroo’s ghost bi mi seyd.

Unnatural Histories; The Crier of Claife

For generations, ferrymen operating the historic crossing betwixt Ferry Nab and Sawrey knew better than to heed these unearthly cries after dark, for they knew that these were no ordinary pleas but rather the desperate howls of a damned soul.