The Gardens and Grounds of Browsholme Hall

Browsholme Hall dates from the 13th century and like many of England’s finest country houses is surrounded by landscaped parkland and gardens. The hall has always been the home of the Parker family who have made many alterations and improvements over the centuries. (See this article for a history of the hall and the ParkerContinue reading “The Gardens and Grounds of Browsholme Hall”

The Hebrew Character Moth, and a few notes about moth migration

Appearance The Hebrew Character, Orthosia gothica, is a member of the Noctuidae family and named after the prominent mark on each of its wings which resembles the character ‘nun’ in the Hebrew alphabet or the form of a gothic arch (hence the scientific name gothica). It is a medium sized moth about 3.5cm long withContinue reading “The Hebrew Character Moth, and a few notes about moth migration”

Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team

This year marks the 61st anniversary of the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team which was created in April 1962 after a tragic incident near Beacon Fell on the 25th of March 1962. The incident, which involved 3 siblings who had been out for a walk on the fells in inclement weather, sadly ended in twoContinue reading “Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team”

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”

The Comma

The Comma, Polygonia c-album, named after the comma shaped mark on its white underwings, is a very striking butterfly in appearance and can be found in large numbers at the right time of year on its favourite plants. They are orange and black with ragged looking wings which break up their outline and make themContinue reading “The Comma”

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 Spring Equinox and the constellations of Vulpeculae, Anser and Delphinus

The Vernal Equinox On the 20th of March falls the spring, or vernal, equinox, this is the date when the day and night both last 12 hours, so are almost but not entirely equal in length, giving it the name equinox, originating from equi, meaning ‘equal’, and nox, meaning ‘night’, this date marks the beginningContinue reading “The Spring Equinox and the constellations of Vulpeculae, Anser and Delphinus”

Wood Sorrel, the original Shamrock

Wood Sorrel’s scientific name, Oxalis acetosella, derives from the Greek Oxys, meaning ‘acid, or ‘sharp’, and hális, which means ‘salt’. Acetosella comes from the Latin acetum, meaning ‘vinegar’ or ‘sour wine’. It is one of the earliest spring-flowering plants of the woodland floor, along with Wood Anenome, Bluebell and Wild Garlic and is characteristic ofContinue reading “Wood Sorrel, the original Shamrock”