Unnatural Histories, The Fairy hole Caves at Whitewell

Lancashire isn’t exactly well known for its caves, with neighbouring Yorkshire enjoying all the potholing fun, but the edge of the Limestone reefs that underlie the North Yorkshire moors, which are famous for their extensive cave systems, do show their face again one last time in Lancashire before disappearing beneath the shale and gritstone ofContinue reading “Unnatural Histories, The Fairy hole Caves at Whitewell”

Unnatural Histories, The Mysterious Murder of Jim Dawson

The murder of Jim Dawson In March 1934, on a quiet country lane just outside the tiny village of Bashall Eaves, Yorkshire, a mysterious murder once occurred that has remained unsolved to this day, yet still haunts the local imagination. Still a mystery to this day The murder of Jim Dawson, who was returning homeContinue reading “Unnatural Histories, The Mysterious Murder of Jim Dawson”

Unnatural Histories, The Peculier tale of Peg O’ Nell

Peg O’ Nell or ‘peg of the well’ is a name of which nearly everyone in Clitheroe and the surrounding area knows, a character from local folklore whose history is somewhat vague and the nature of which is thought to be malevolent. St Margaret’s well Historians believe that Peg derives from Meg or Margaret, andContinue reading “Unnatural Histories, The Peculier tale of Peg O’ Nell”

Unnatural Histories, The Story of William Southworth, Landlord of the Lower Buck, Waddington

The Lower Buck in Waddington, built in 1760, is said to be haunted by a past landlord, William Southworth. The sad story of William Southworth The story of William Southworth and his demise is quite curious, he became the landlord in 1820 and quickly gained a reputation for being quick-tempered, picking arguments with all andContinue reading “Unnatural Histories, The Story of William Southworth, Landlord of the Lower Buck, Waddington”

The time a Dominatrix called Miss Whiplash stood for Ribble Valley MP

Miss Whiplash, otherwise known as Lindi St-Clair, (real name Marian June Akin) is an interesting character, to say that she has led an eventful life would be an understatement, she was internationally infamous as the Madam of a well known London brothel, a Dominatrix and for standing as MP for the Ribble Valley as leaderContinue reading “The time a Dominatrix called Miss Whiplash stood for Ribble Valley MP”

Jeppe Knave Grave

On the western shoulder of Pendle lies Wiswell Moor and on the summit of Wiswell Moor can be found a very out of place and peculiar grave, that of Jeppe the knave. Knave, Scoundrel and Outlaw The story of Jeppe, otherwise known as Geoff Curtis, that is commonly told in this corner of Lancashire isContinue reading “Jeppe Knave Grave”

Bridges over the river Hodder; Cromwell’s Bridge

The elegant and enigmatic arches of Cromwell’s Bridge cross the river Hodder at Great Mitton and are all that remain of a bridge originally commissioned by Sir Richard Shireburne and other locals in 1561 to enable the Anglican parishioners of Mitton Church, which the Shireburn family also built, to cross the river to go toContinue reading “Bridges over the river Hodder; Cromwell’s Bridge”