Shrove Tuesday is the name of the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The word ‘shrove’ is the past tense of the English verb ‘shrive’, which describes the means by which to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of confession and penance. On this day, Catholics are encouraged to go toContinue reading “Shrove Tuesday”
Tag Archives: #Northwestnatureandhistory
Admiring the Barns and Walls of Northwest England
The Northwest of England is home to some remarkably beautiful landscapes, shaped over millennia by traditional farming practices. It is a part of the world famous for its ancient drystone walls and barns, built from the bones of the land and woven seamlessly into its very fabric in such a way that manmade and naturalContinue reading “Admiring the Barns and Walls of Northwest England”
Kestrels over Pendle, a jaunt around the ‘Nick
Here’s a few photos from a little jaunt around Pendle yesterday, we walked from the Nick ‘O Pendle across to the fell above the Wellsprings, to the quarry and then downhill to Sabden past Churn Clough reservoir. The path down to Sabden, shortly after taking this shot we saw a Kestrel flying overhead, it mayContinue reading “Kestrels over Pendle, a jaunt around the ‘Nick”
Closer to Home, Exploring the History around our Town; Hambledon Firing Range
I’ve poked and peered into all sorts of corners in my history articles, from Abbeystead to Whalley and everywhere between, but feel that I’ve overlooked some of the historical locations closer to home, around the towns of Padiham and Hapton where I live and work. With this in mind I set out the other dayContinue reading “Closer to Home, Exploring the History around our Town; Hambledon Firing Range”
The Sacking of the Countryside, Part One
Part one of a series in which we look at Inheritance Tax Reform, the Land-Grab Theory and what it means for our Farms, Countryside and Food Our Country was built by farming, our culture, our language, our villages, towns and cities, our very landscape all owe their existence to the thousands of years of blood,Continue reading “The Sacking of the Countryside, Part One”
The Elusive Bitterns of Brockholes
Nestled in the flood-plain of the River Ribble near Preston, Brockholes Nature Reserve is a testament to nature’s ability to recover from seemingly irreversible destruction, especially when given a helping hand by committed conservationists. Once an expansive sand and gravel quarry, supplying material for construction projects like the nearby M6 motorway, this area has beenContinue reading “The Elusive Bitterns of Brockholes”
Nursery Web Spiders
Nursery web spiders are fascinating creatures known for their unique parental care and courting behaviour. Their scientific name is Pisaura mirabilis and the second half of this, mirabilis (the root of the word miraculous), means ‘admirable’ or ‘remarkable’ and refers to the remarkable parental care the mother gives to her progeny. Another name commonly usedContinue reading “Nursery Web Spiders”
Northwest Recipes: Hagese
In one form or another the dish now known as Haggis has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It is now synonymous with the nation of Scotland, but was once found served upon plates throughout the isles, being a versatile recipe with ingredients that were available in all seasons of the year.Continue reading “Northwest Recipes: Hagese”
Northwest Nature and History 