Category Archives: #Lancashire

Bremetenacum Veteranorum

“It is written on a wall in Rome that Ribchester was as rich as any town in Christendom” The Bremetennacum Veteranorum, or ‘hilltop settlement of the veterans’, was a Roman fort founded by the governor of the British isles, Julius Agricola, in AD78. It was largely garrisoned by Asturians from Spain and Sarmartians from Hungary,Continue reading “Bremetenacum Veteranorum”

Mitton Hall

Mitton Hall stands just outside the village of Mitton near the confluence of the Ribble and Hodder, it is a grade 2 listed Tudor manor, famously painted by William Turner and built in the late 14th century by the Catterall family. The Catterall family are originally from Goosnargh and married into the de Mitton family,Continue reading “Mitton Hall”

The Loss of the Riverdance

On the night of the Thirty First of January, sixteen years ago, I experienced some of the wildest weather I’ve ever been out in. I remember the night well because I had to walk over two miles home from work in it, and also because of how strange a night it was. At the timeContinue reading “The Loss of the Riverdance”

Littledale Free Church

Littledale Free Church sits in the valley of Littledale near the village of Caton and is now abandoned and used as farm storage. Reverend John Dodson It was built in 1849 for Reverend John Dodson, who came from a family of shipping magnates in Liverpool, and was built at the same time as nearby LittledaleContinue reading “Littledale Free Church”

Pendle throughout the year

The name Pendle Hill derives from the Ancient British word ‘pen’ meaning ‘hill’, which predates the First Century Roman Invasion. By about the 7th Century, when it was largely forgotten what ‘pen’ meant, the Old English word ‘hyll’ was added and by 1305 the name was recorded as ‘Penhul’ in the Charters of the ManorsContinue reading “Pendle throughout the year”

Oakenclough Paper Mill

Oakenclough paper mill sits below Oakenclough fell by the river Calder on the Western edge of the Forest of Bowland. Built in 1775 as a paper mill, powered by a water wheel in the river Calder, Oakenclough mill provided employment for many in an area that was entirely agricultural before the industrial revolution. The villagesContinue reading “Oakenclough Paper Mill”

A Brief Look at the Long and Storied History of Stonyhurst College

The history of the Jesuit school of Stonyhurst College, situated near Hurst Green in the Ribble valley, is complex and long, stretching back as far as 1593. The imposing, 300ft long main Campus of the college sits in a landscaped 300-acre estate which was first owned by the Weld family who offered it as aContinue reading “A Brief Look at the Long and Storied History of Stonyhurst College”