In the far Northwest of the Bowland fells the geology and scenery dramatically changes to the extent that it feels like an entirely different part of the country. The peaty earth is thinner, the gritstone below exposed to the northern gales, the backdrop is of that of the wide, sweeping, Morecambe bay and Fylde plainsContinue reading “Northwest Walks: Grit Fell, the Three Sisters and the Three Chairs”
Tag Archives: #Forestofbowland
HARP in Bowland; The Refurbishment of the Haweswater Aqueduct and its impacts on the communities of the Hodder Valley
The Haweswater Aqueduct delivers water from Haweswater Reservoir in the Lake District to over two million people throughout Cumbria, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester. It’s a 110km/82 mile-long pipeline, carrying up to 100 million gallons per day under gravity induced flow, built in the 1930s to 1950s and is currently undergoing extensive upgrades. This refurbishment isContinue reading “HARP in Bowland; The Refurbishment of the Haweswater Aqueduct and its impacts on the communities of the Hodder Valley”
Round-leaved Sundew
The Round-leaved Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia, (Drosera meaning ‘dewy’ in latin) is a small carnivorous plant found in bogs, it is locally common but hard to find, in England its strongholds are our upland moors, in particular those found in the Northwest. Insectivorous A small and peculiar looking plant, with reddish coloured ‘leaves’ covered in stickyContinue reading “Round-leaved Sundew”
The Banded Demoiselle
Between the patches of dappled sunlight and shadows that the overhanging Alder leaves cast on the slow-moving river a flash of iridescent blue catches the eye. This is the Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), a damselfly of such striking beauty that it seems more like a fragment of stained glass than a creature of flesh andContinue reading “The Banded Demoiselle”
The Greater Butterfly Orchid
The Greater Butterfly Orchid, Platanthera chlorantha is a herbaceous perennial that typically grows to a height of 20 to 60 cm. It is easily recognised by its pair of broad, shiny, elliptical leaves at the base, with smaller, lanceolate leaves higher up the stem. The plant’s flower spike, which blooms from May to July, bearsContinue reading “The Greater Butterfly Orchid”
Slaidburn Steam Rally
Slaidburn Steam Rally, or The Slaidburn Steam and Vintage Vehicle Display, to give it its official name, is an annual event held in the village of Slaidburn in the Forest of Bowland. Although originally conceived as solely for steam a variety of other vehicles now attend, including vintage cars and tractors, alongside stalls showcasing localContinue reading “Slaidburn Steam Rally”
Comfrey
Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, also known as ‘knitbone’ is a hardy perennial herb, native to the British Isles and thriving in our temperate climate, especially in the damp, fertile soils often found along riverbanks, ditches, and meadows. From late spring to early autumn this attractive-looking wildflower produces clusters of delicate tubular flowers, typically in shades ofContinue reading “Comfrey”
Greater Stitchwort
We’re lucky where we live, in that we have access to the countryside only 100 yards from our front door, you need only walk round the corner, cross the road and you’re on a stretch of Common Land called Hapton Moor. I walk up there at least once a week and almost always find somethingContinue reading “Greater Stitchwort”
Northwest Nature and History 