The village of Tosside, originally known as Tosside-with-Houghton, is halfway between the farming village of Slaidburn and the market-town of Settle and split halfway between the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire (in the current, administrative sense that is). The name Tosside, pronounced locally as ‘Tossit’, comes from the Saxon words ‘tod’ for fox, a termContinue reading “Tosside”
Tag Archives: Farming
Cinnabar and Ragwort
The common perception of moths is as dull-coloured, crepuscular creatures, more often than not seen at night or appearing as the sun goes down to thunk into window panes, or, if they get into the house, lightbulbs. But, as with most things in nature, things aren’t quite so simple and straight forward, as there areContinue reading “Cinnabar and Ragwort”
Haytime
In the cold depths of a northern winter farmers will go through a lot of hay, it’s good, nutritious winter fodder for store lambs, hill sheep overwintering in the valleys, dairy cows, beef cattle, and horses. It’s also portable, there are 3 types of bale which can be easily transported in winter time when feedingContinue reading “Haytime”
Bee Boles
Bee holes are essentially holes built into a south-facing wall for placing bee-hives into, they usually date from before the 19th century, when modern, wooden bee-hives were made commercially available. Normally built into dry-stone walls but occasionally designed into brick walls, bee boles are almost always situated in a south-facing wall and usually accompanied aContinue reading “Bee Boles”
Bird’s Foot Trefoil
Bird’s foot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, (corniculatus coming from the Latin for ‘with small horns’), is a common flowering plant throughout the British isles that has accumulated quite a collection of common names; ‘crow’s toes’, lady’s slippers’, ‘hen and chickens’ and ‘bacon and eggs’ being just a few that are still in regular use, most ofContinue reading “Bird’s Foot Trefoil”
Bashall Eaves
Bashall Eaves is a small village about 5 miles from Clitheroe on the road to Whitewell and a mile away from Browsholme estate. It’s a very small and cosy place, composed of a handful of pretty cottages, a post-office which is only open from 10 til 2 on a Tuesday, the village hall and, justContinue reading “Bashall Eaves”
The Globeflower
The Globeflower, Trollius europaeus, Trollius coming from the German Trollblume, meaning ‘round flower’, is a large member of the buttercup family and flowers from May to July, producing lemon- coloured, round-shaped flowers around 4cm in diameter on top of tall, slender stems. It grows in damp soils such as can be found in meadows and alongContinue reading “The Globeflower”
Little Owls in Lancashire
In Lancashire’s rolling green countryside you can find every species of owl that is native to the British isles, even one species which some might argue isn’t technically native yet, despite having successfully bred here, the Eagle Owl. So far I’ve written about the Tawny Owl, the Short-eared Owl and I’ll get around to sharingContinue reading “Little Owls in Lancashire”
Northwest Nature and History 