The Lady of the Stream

Otherwise known as the lady of the stream, the Grayling, Thymalus thymalus, is a freshwater fish native to the British isles and here in the northwest we’re lucky enough to have many rivers this beautiful fish deems pleasant enough to call home; In Cumbria the rivers Eden and Derwent, the latter known as ‘the queenContinue reading “The Lady of the Stream”

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”

Slaidburn Silver Band and the march over Waddington Fell

Slaidburn Silver Band were established over 100 years ago in the Hodder valley and have played for many events since their creation, around the world and at home, perhaps most famously when they were honoured by an invitation to play for Her Majesty The Queen during her visit to the Hodder Valley in 1989. TheyContinue reading “Slaidburn Silver Band and the march over Waddington Fell”

Walloper Well

Walloper well is found about halfway up Easington Fell on the road between Clitheroe and Newton, it is a well known local landmark having been there since before the Norman conquest. Its name ‘Walloper’ comes from the Norman term for the indigenous people of the British isles ‘Walha’. Although a local, and very misogynistic, folkContinue reading “Walloper Well”

Bridges over the River Hodder; the bridge to Knowlmere Manor

Knowlmere Manor is an 18th century calendar house near Dunsop Bridge, calendar houses being an architectural style whereas features of the building correspond to numbers on a calendar, i.e: 52 windows, 12 gable-ends or 7 chimneys etc. The manor has two private access roads one of which crosses over the river Hodder, called Knowlmere ManorContinue reading “Bridges over the River Hodder; the bridge to Knowlmere Manor”

The White-Clawed Crayfish

The White-Clawed Crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, is the only species of Crayfish native to the British isles, they are small crustaceans similar in appearance to a Lobster but a lot smaller. Some of the Northwest’s rivers, including the Lune, Wyre, Ribble and their tributaries, count amongst the crayfish’s strongholds in the British isles, they are veryContinue reading “The White-Clawed Crayfish”

Bird watching at Stocks Reservoir

Periods of cold and stormy weather often cause birds to move about the country in search of shelter, upland birds may descend to lower altitudes and coastal birds may travel inland to escape icy winds. Many species habitually visit the same sites whenever conditions turn for the worse, with some relying upon our reservoirs asContinue reading “Bird watching at Stocks Reservoir”

A Brief Look at the Long and Storied History of Stonyhurst College

The history of the Jesuit school of Stonyhurst College, situated near Hurst Green in the Ribble valley, is complex and long, stretching back as far as 1593. The imposing, 300ft long main Campus of the college sits in a landscaped 300-acre estate which was first owned by the Weld family who offered it as aContinue reading “A Brief Look at the Long and Storied History of Stonyhurst College”