May Though every month for me’s a cherm,Aw’m fain as Winter’s hed his term;For thy breath’s gradely sweet an’ werm, Aw like thee, May!Tha looks best deawn bi th’ owd Stydd ferm At break o’ day. Wheer th’ banks o’ Ribble’s weshed wi’ t’ flood,Aw tramped through mony a field an’ wood;Aw see tha’s paintedContinue reading “May, a Lancashire Dialect poem by John Rawcliffe”
Tag Archives: #Lancashire
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”
Malus sylvestris, the Crabapple (Including a Chapter on the Plant’s Use in English Literature)
You may find many treasures on a spring-time walk down our countryside’s old lanes; the delicate white flowers of Blackthorn, scarlet Campion, or butter-yellow Cowslip, yet for me one of spring’s gems shines brighter than the others, and that is the pink and white bloom of the Crabapple tree. Malus sylvestris The scientific name ofContinue reading “Malus sylvestris, the Crabapple (Including a Chapter on the Plant’s Use in English Literature)”
The Holy Thorn of Stonyhurst College
Deep in the heart of Lancashire’s Ribble Valley, under the shadow of Longridge Fell, sits stately Stonyhurst College, a 400-year-old Jesuit institution. It is home to many artworks and treasures, including one of the most revered relics in the Christian world; a thorn believed to be from the Crown of Thorns placed on Jesus Christ’sContinue reading “The Holy Thorn of Stonyhurst College”
What’s that Creature Creeping in the Trees?
Deep in our woods and gardens, creeping around in the trees, a small unassuming creature quietly goes about its business, unnoticed by the casual observer. It is known to scientists as Certhia familiaris, but to most of us it is known merely as the Treecreeper, and is, I think, a bird deserving of closer attention.Continue reading “What’s that Creature Creeping in the Trees?”
Northwest Walks, a short walk around Whitewell
This short and easy walk starts and finishes at the Inn at Whitewell in the Hodder valley, it shouldn’t take longer than 2 hours and, although it can be a bit muddy at a couple of spots, is fairly easy going. It’s a popular place in the summer so can be very busy on sunnyContinue reading “Northwest Walks, a short walk around Whitewell”
Rockpooling for Blennies
Blennies are a captivating group of small, often colorful, fish that inhabit marine and brackish waters. Belonging to the suborder Blennioidei, they are known for their quirky behaviors, distinctive appearances, and remarkable adaptability. They are typically quite small in size, ranging from 3 to 15 centimeters in length, though some species can grow slightly larger,Continue reading “Rockpooling for Blennies”
Build your Nest High; Can Crows predict the weather?
The Crows are building their nests at the moment, high in the canopies of the tallest trees. As of writing, at the start of April, many have finished construction so will be adding the finishing touches, such as nest linings, and settling in. Country folklore has it that if they have built their nests lowContinue reading “Build your Nest High; Can Crows predict the weather?”
Northwest Nature and History 