Tag Archives: #History

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”

The Longridge Line

The Longridge Line If you visit the stone quarries just to the north of the Lancashire town of Longridge you may find the remnants of a short-lived railway that used to run from there to the village of Grimsargh and then on to Preston, a failed enterprise which had great ambitions. This article looks atContinue reading “The Longridge Line”

Escowbeck House

Escowbeck house is a rambling country manor near the village of Quernmore (pronounced “kor-mer”) on the Western edge of the Forest of Bowland, built in 1842 and surrounded by 20 acres of landscaped parkland. Escouthebroc Its unusual name is Norse in origin, coming from ‘eski’, meaning Ash tree, ‘hofud’ meaning hill, and ‘bekkr’ meaning beckContinue reading “Escowbeck House”

The History behind Stocks reservoir

In 19th century Britain much of the population found they had enough disposable income, and public transport links had improved enough, for tourism to take off in a really big way, this was largely due to the wealth that the industrial revolution created. The industrial revolution, with all of the coal powered manufacturing activity associatedContinue reading “The History behind Stocks reservoir”