(Part of the Unnatural Histories series) In the Old Days, when the world was infinitely vaster and more terrifying, and eldritch beings were thought to fly about their business on the blackest of nights, many precautions were taken to ensure that home and family were protected from such unknown evils. Hearts were crossed, rosary beadsContinue reading “The Witches’ Seat”
Tag Archives: #History
Unnatural Histories, The Martyr’s Skull
Deep in the ancient Forest of Bowland, at the heart of a medieval hunting estate, sits the old stone hall of Browsholme. At one end of the hall, in a dark library full of odds-and-ends from over the centuries, suits of armour, swords, muskets and even a piece of a zeppelin, stands a locked cabinet.Continue reading “Unnatural Histories, The Martyr’s Skull”
Ralph Pudsey and the Silver Bit, a Ribble Valley Fairytale
In Deepest, Darkest Yorkshire, under the shadow of Pendle, in the church of St Peter and St Paul, in the ancient village of Bolton-by-Bowland, can be found one of the most ornate tombs in all of Christendom. This is the final resting place of the medieval landowner and noble Sir Ralph Pudsey, his three wivesContinue reading “Ralph Pudsey and the Silver Bit, a Ribble Valley Fairytale”
Whalley Viaduct
Whalley viaduct soars over the small town of Whalley in the Ribble valley and has been a familiar and well-loved landmark for many generations. Construction began in 1846 and was completed in 1850, its architectural style reflecting that of the nearby 14th century Cistercian abbey. The 679 yard-long viaduct is 70ft tall at its highestContinue reading “Whalley Viaduct”
Blobbygate (The story of Noel Edmonds, Mr Blobby and Morecambe)
Recently news has broken of a fresh attempt by 75 year-old tv presenter Noel Edmonds to make a comeback onto the UK’s television screens. Inspired by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s enormous success with his show ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ Noel, famous for tv light-entertainment shows such as Swap Shop, Noel’s House Party, Top Gear (beforeContinue reading “Blobbygate (The story of Noel Edmonds, Mr Blobby and Morecambe)”
The Crook O’ Lune, Part One; an Introduction
Part One, an Introduction The Crook o’ Lune is well-loved beauty spot on a sweeping bend of the river Lune, famous for its panoramic views up the wooded valley towards the distant moors. Locally very well-known it has been a destination for many generations of daytrippers, with a grassy green picnic site, river banks forContinue reading “The Crook O’ Lune, Part One; an Introduction”
Top Withens (reblog of a piece by James Elkington)
High on Haworth moor lies the ruined farmhouse of ‘Top Withens’ – also known as ‘Withens Farm’. Normally no one would pay much attention to an old … Top Withens
Temperate Rainforests
Rainforest, but not as we know it Lofty green trees clad in lianas and vines, broad waxy leaves dripping with rainwater, howling and screeching monkeys and birds, the whine of flying insects and unbearable humidity, for most people the images these words conjure up are of the archetypal tropical rainforests, those vast, mysterious jungles ofContinue reading “Temperate Rainforests”
Northwest Nature and History 