Haslingden Old and New...

"Ay Rag Boone" "As ti any Rags"

2012-02-13T11:43:00.015Z

"Ay Rag Booen" (By Bryan Yorke - 12th Feb 2012)

"Rag Booen", Any Owd Rags",
"Ay Rag Booen" was what was shayted,
O'er many times a day,
Daern main Street ur back street,
It amplified away....

Thad hear his cart a trundling,
O'er setts his poony clipped,
From Top Oth' Town to further daern,
He'd do his daily trips.

Thank ya lass fur bundle ur rags,
And neh tha wants a "donkey stoowen",
Tu brighten up tha step and cill,
Well here thi are, in cream or grey,
A Donkey Stoowern to polish away.

Thank ya lad for bundle ur rags,
And thank thi muther too.
And neh I'll bring a smile to thee,
But first, goo home, and get a jar,
Then a "gowdfish to thee can be".

A remember, Mr. Mahoney,
And Mr. Capels too,
But the ones I remember best was George,
And his son Teddy too.
Thi wer the Rag and Boone Kings,
Who'ad shayt from behind reigns,
"Ay Rag Booen", "Any Owd Rags"......

And now a little blog: “Ay rag bone, any owd rags!

You don’t hear it much these days, just occasionally you might get a guy on shanks pony with a sack thrown over his back, walking down the back streets shouting “Any owd rags”

Once of a day you would regularly see the Mahoney’s, or the Caple’s, and probably most known of all, Teddy Berry, going around town calling out whilst sat on their pony and carts.
I often wonder why did all the rag and bone men come from the Top O’th Town? Area.

I can remember some of the rag n bone chaps giving away “Donkey Stones” to the ladies as a swap for their old rags. Those same ladies would go out every day and rub the stone on the edge of their steps or their window cills, and in some cases would completely scour the full flags to make the stonework decorated. You don’t see that sort of thing today. Although sadly in a lot of instances today, I suppose lovely stones has been replaced with “tarmac”. If you want to read more about “Donkey Stones” then CLICK HERE and you will be directed to a site devoted to the subject.

Also the rag a bone chaps would sometimes give away “Goldfish” as a alternative to Donkey stones. And if you pestered your mum hard enough, you could have landed yourself with a goldfish.

Georgie Berry, besides having his rags and scrap metal yard up on Rock Hall, he also used to also have a shop up Church Street, next to what was the Bird In Hand pub. I remember my dad buying me a push bike off George, and paid him ten shillings for that bike. It took some getting used to, because it was a bit too big for me really, but I conquered it in the end. I suppose ten shillings them days (mid 1950s) would probably be about £10 in todays money.

(Email: from Chris Reid i went to school and lived in Haslingden from 1963/4 to about 1976, i used to help drive and work the last rag and bone cart in Haslingden which belonged to Teddy Berry. his son and daughter are both still living in Haslingden i believe. his daughter Shirley (Nuttal) still lives on Sunny bank street his son Duncan i am not sure of his current address. Their grandad George used to have a shop on Church St next to the Bird In Hand pub. where the shop burnt down and George died in the fire. They also had stables that linked from the rear of the shop to what is the landleague. i am afraid all i have is memories. As there was no mention of the last rag and bone man i thought i throw my bit.)

Haslingden St. James C of E School Student Photos and Memories

2012-02-08T08:36:00.007Z

Jackie Ramsbottom has kindly sent in the following student photograph from the period approx c1926. (Click over the photo once for larger, or click here to go to hosting site for full screen size) The Students in the above photograph are:
Back Row l to r: Bert Ramsbottom, Fred Barnes (1), Fred Barnes, Arthur Halstead, Fred Barnes (2), George Duckworth, Tom Holden, Jack Briggs, Fred Salkeld, Fred Ward, Milton Ratcliffe (?)
3rd Row: Phoebe Pilkington, Elsie Sumner, Annie Ford, Edna Williams, Dorothy Halstead, Majory Halstead, Sybil Davidson (?), Ethel Brierley, Annie Hindle, Ivy Norris, Frances Lowry (?).
2nd Row: James Heys, Mary Nuttall, Dorothy Isherwood, Emma Hodgson, Kathleen Glover, Hetty Green, Edith Jackson, John Stevens.
Front Row (Legs Crossed):
George Nuttall, Tyson Cowpe, Clifford Lomax, James Fletcher, Kenneth Fenwick, Gilbert Horrocks, Robert Wilson.

David Stevenson has kindly sent in the following student photographs from the periods between 1948 to 1952 at the Haslingden St. James C of E School. (Click over photo once for larger, or click here to go to hosting site for full screen.)

David Stevenson has kindly sent in the photograph below of pupils of the Haslingden St. James Church of England School from 1953 (10 & 11 year olds).. he has tried to remember as many names as possible: (please click over photo once to enlarge or if you prefer full screen please click here to go to hosting site)

Front Row:- ?, Ernie Taylor, ?, Winston Beckett, Gordon Golbourne, David Skilling, ?, Robert Whittam.
Second Row:- Roland Spencer, Jean Seville, Dorothy Mather, Alice Smith, Eileen Howe, Ann Warburton, June Smith, ?, Hilda Sanderson, Olive Tomlinson, Harry Holden,
Third Row:- Peter Kenyon, Jack Fuller, Jean Johnson, Jean Heap, Mavis Cooper, Jean Bellis, ?, Arnold Wade, Jack Harris,
Back Row:- Peter Fletcher, Alan Beech, David Stevenson, Maurice Hunt, Douglas Hilton, Thomas Bond, John Edwards.
Thanks also to John R Edwards for his contributions.

David Desforges has kindly sent in the School photo below which is from 1958-1959, and was taken on the lawn of the old St. James Vicarage at the side of the School. (Click over photo to enlarge but if you prefer to see this picture in full screen size please click here and when it loads, click over yet again)

front: David Siddle, Ken Sedgwick, Gorden Eastwood, Jimmy Nuttall, Tony Armstrong, Donald Henry and David Desforges.
Second Row: Pauleen Barnes, Susan Alderson, Jean Pitman, Ann Bamber, Olwin Barlow, Joan Barge (he thinks!), Margaret Barrow, Valerie Warburton, Margaret Clark.
Third Row: Ian Grinrod, Peter Marsden, Roy Hindle (he thinks!), Ann Hargreaves, Kathleen or Susan Butterworth, Vivian Collinge, Kathleen?, John Lord, Bryan Hood, Bryan Souter.
Back Row: Steven Bolton, David Smith, Arthur Diggle, David Spencer, Michael Wise, Bryan Till, Bryan Lees,unknown?, Billy Martin.
David thinks he's got most of the names correct, but just in case he has got anyone wrong he does ask for forgiveness.
Other memories from David:
" I can remember playing football in the School yard and when the ball went over the wall onto the main road we would all shout for Harold Alderson to come out of his shop and he would kick it back from the main road, back into the yard. Even nowadays I look at how high that wall is and wonder how he ever managed to kick the ball back. (David, I too remember Harold kindly kicking the ball back for us when I was at the School a year or so earlier, and wish I had a pound for every time he did kick it back over)

We must have only been 15 years old if you are correct about the floods at Rising Bridge, as myself and Gorden Eastwood set of that Saturday to Butlins in Wales, it was hard to believe when we read about it in the Sunday papers, as the sun was beating down in Wales.

I treasure the friends and memories that I have from my childhood, even today I still have friends from this class, I wonder where all the ones I have lost contact with are today, I will now attach photo and thanks again for the web site.Yours,David Desforges.

And here is another student photograph from dating back to 1912. To enlarge please click over photograph once, or if you prefer to get full screen size, please go to my picture hosting site by clicking here.

Some of my memories of the old school: When I attended St James C of E Infant School it was simply known as "Top Church" School. It was a solid stone purpose built school (Sadly I dont have a photo of the old school) . For some reason in later years they decided to knock it down and build a more modern school, thinking about it now it may have been the result of a fire... those days the entrance was by a steep dark gravelly incline adjoining the playground, this entrance was then in Regent Street. Todays school is a more modern type school with its entrance in Salem Street, this new school is actually built on the very spot were Salem Methodist Church used to be.
I can still remember most of the teachers around at the time when I went (approx 1953-1959) The first class (most infant) was then: Miss Megan Clegg -(I still see her in town now and again..) then there was Miss Bury, Miss Boyson, Mrs Holden, Miss Haworth and the final class was Miss Holden, the headmaster was Mr. Rawlinson...
I have managed to find a photo of the old "Vicarage" which was a superbly built building (see below) and we used to have the school group photos taken on the Old Vicarage lawns. You would never have expected a building of this calibre to have been demolished. Also I can clearly remember the Rev Fred Bamber was our vicar at that time, and he also had a curate.

The Coalman, the coaltrucks and the firebeater.

2011-12-03T14:54:00.011Z

Some memories of “The Coalmen, the Coaltrucks & the Firebeaters etc…. (blog created 3rd December 2011)

It was a regular thing! Certainly monthly during the winter months, you would hear the coalmen draw up in their wagon and lift the coal grate at the front. And then mum would shout, “Count them bags of coal they’re putting down shoot lad and make sure you count ten”

You could hear the coal travelling down the stone lined coal shoot, which started its journey by the coalman lifting a metal cover (14ft square) on the floor, just in front of our front door, this is were he deposited the contents of the coal bags, which then made its way down into the cellar below the house.
The noise seemed to be a sort of rumbling thunderous sound has the coal must have caught the sides of the shoot on its way down and then as it reached the existing coal it made a loud thud, and that’s when you started counting, one, two, three and so on, up to five, but sometimes up to ten. I counted them with such concentration, just as though my life depended on it! There always were five or ten, never less and never more.

Most of the time, mum gave me the money each month, and I would go along to the coal office and pay the coal bill, I would take the white delivery ticket of about 6” square, showing details of the quantity of the delivery etc, and the ticket was always well smudged with black coal dust.
Going through them big doors into the coal office was just like going back in time, and it felt as though it was like a chapter out of “a Dickens novel”. (see photo on right - Coal Office was on Blackburn Road on the far right of this photo, it was later converted to a mosque, and then much later back to a private property)

“They’re were always at least three gentlemen in the Office, on most occasions they would be stood to their high desk, entering their ledgers. There were chairs for them at their sides, and so high of a chair, just like what “Bob Crachitt” may have been sat on. The gentlemen in that office were always so polite, it was especially such a great pleasure to see the boss, who was such a smart gentleman who always wore a “bowler hat” when you saw him outside, and sometimes you would see him driving his shiny red jaguar car. I never ever saw him going above 20 miles per hour, but that was about the usual speed most cars did those days. But to see him there, stood in front of his high desk with his quill pen. (It was a pen he had made with what I considered to be a very large turkey feather and cut at the bottom of the quill to provide a nib) and you would see him dip the pen into the blue ink, within the pot well, and sign his signature to his letters. His signature was large and probably measured about 2 ½” x 1 ½”. But looked really “classy”. (The Coal firm was called William Henry Shaws and the boss was called Mr. Sidney Jagger JP, and the others in that office were: Mr. Arthur Standley, Mr Aldred, and later David and Bernard Pickup)

I remember going home from school each day and walking along the side of the railway track. At one point the area was called “The Coal Sidings” and here there were always up to thirty coal trucks parked up on both sides of the sidings. The trucks were large timber oblong trucks sat upon metal bogies (bogies = assembly of four to six wheels forming a pivoted support at either end of a railway coach or truck.) These trucks contained various different sizes and qualities of coal, some for household use (usually larger cobs of around 4” to 8”) and some of the trucks contained smaller coal chippings, and these were used to keep the local factories going.

Daily I would go past the factory “fire holes” (some would call them boilerhouse) and sometimes you would see the “fire beater” shovelling the coal chippings, into the two large hoppers which were elevated at about six foot high at the front of the large boiler. I was also to later have the pleasure of experiencing what it was like to be a “fire beater” for a week or so, whilst the regular chap was off work. (buts that’s yet another story!) (Some of the local firebeaters I can remember were: Mr. Dewhurst at Clough End Mill, Alias at Carr Mill, Tom Riley and later Granville Nuttall at Union Mill etc.)

But getting back to the "Coal Sidings", the chaps there could be seen loading up their coal delivery wagons from the content of these trucks, and the chaps always seemed to be so strong, lifting and moving the bags around without problem, they made it look so simple, they must have also had the “knack” with doing the same job day in, day out. One guy in particular was a giant, and a really strong chap, his name I think was “Walt” (Walter). And he always reminded me of “desperate Dan” for some reason, he was always black with coal dust and wearing his thick leather padded coalman’s waistcoat. Most times you saw him or the others, you would have thought they were members of the “Black and White Minstrels cast, or maybe members of the Bacup Coconutters. You could just about see their white eyes shining through.

Looking back it was a very busy railway sidings, because hardly a day went passed when you wouldn’t see a train spending most of it’s morning shunting coal trucks from one siding to another, separating the full or part full trucks from the empty trucks. The coal coming on a almost daily basis from various pits out of Yorkshire.

Arrival uh’ Cools (3rd December 2011)

Mum would shairt!,
Count them bags of cool!
They’re putting down shoot, lad!
And mek sure tha hears ten.
So I stopped all and counted,
One, two, three and moor,
Until a raiched ten.
So conscientious was I,
Tho life depended on it.

Reet again for another month.

*********************************************************

A mail received today (6th Feb 2012) from John R. Edwards, confirms that Tom Riley was the firebeater at Wm. Robinsons, Union Mill.

Hi Bryan
When I worked at Union mill, 1958-1965,Tom Riley was the firebeater. Granville Nuttall stood in for him when he was absent. Besides firebeating, Tom carried weft to the weavers and carried their finished pieces to the cloth warehouse (which is where I started work, before moving into tackling).

Also a later mail:
"Yes I was talking to Tom yesterday and he told me that he took over clothlooking when Harry Taylor retired.
Joe Southworth was the weaving manager and just before I left Jim Southworth, his twin brother, came to be a tackler.
John Simpson was the spinning manager, and a Blackburn councillor. I used to get lifts off him to go Blackburn college, every Monday night. I remember one night when there was a 'peasouper' of a fog and I spent most of the journey to Blackburn with my head stuck out of the passenger window looking for the kerb and passing the info to John. In Blackburn there were oil lamps lit in the middle of major junctions. At some there was a policeman, helping the traffic."John R. Edwards.

The 1964 Hailstones & Flood Memories (18th July 1964)

2011-11-16T10:00:00.011Z

(Here is a photo taken at the bottom of Northfield Road, Rising Bridge. -click over to enlarge)
I was sixteen at the time and remember it as though it was yesterday. It all started around the 10 o’clock mark during the mid morning of Saturday July 18th 1964. It did not start with rain, but large hailstones, and when I say hailstones, by the left they were the biggest I have ever seen, and remain so from that day to this, I know many say “as big as golf balls”, well I certainly would not go that far, but they must have been well above one inch in diameter.

They made a noise like no other noise you’ve ever heard before, such was the downpour against your slated roof, which sounded of a thunderous nature, and wondering if at any minute your windows where going to crack and shatter!. I thought at the time about poor old Donald the milkman from Gibbon’s Farm, who had just gone past our house delivering milk from his horse and cart! Just about the time when the hailstones had started, and thought about what a stinger he and his horse must have received with hailstones like that!. Then after a further ten minutes the hailstones stopped, but this was soon to be followed by thundering and lightening and then torrential rain, so powerful the drains could not take it.

I suppose for us at the top end of Hud Hey it wasn’t so bad, but sadly for people who lived in the bottom or in the direct line of any of the local water courses, it must have been a nightmare to say the least.

I think it may have been about twelve noon or a little later that the torrential rain finally abated.

But the damage had been done, and the lodges at the top of Northfield Road, together with others at Duckworth Clough, Brook Street and elsewhere, had burst their banks and were causing severe flooding further down their watercourses, especially to the houses at the bottom of Northfield Road and also to the shops on Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge .

I remember at Rising Bridge, that the flooding had become so severe that it caused major structural damage to a couple of houses/shops on the main Blackburn Road, in fact, one of the shops was actually built directly above the “torrented stream” and was in part washed away and the property was so severely damaged that it and the property next door had to be demolished.

But far worse tragedy had to come that day, and it happened further on towards Haslingden, with the loss of life, when poor little “Annie Wroe” drowned whilst in her house situated in Back Carr Mill Street (just off Hud Hey near Carr Mill factory). I can remember Annie, who was a very pleasant little lady and she was of about 5ft in height, she had lived there with her brother Frank who was the fork lift driver at the nearby Carr Mill Factory.

Carrs - The Lost Village

2011-08-04T08:29:00.029+01:00

In a way I suppose what I can remember of Carrs, could be written on a postcard!
No, that’s not completely true, and that would be far less than fair! But to be honest my memories of Carrs are very limited, and I suppose would fall in the category of small is beautiful, because that’s just how it was. Fabulous memories of a little village nestling under the shadow of “Cob Castle”, and the towering Hutch Bank Quarry.

From memory the main street which traversed the full length of the village was called Commerce Street, which ran from the junction with Booth Street at the Station side and all the way down and through the village to the children’s play area (built much later) which consisted of swings and a roundabout.

Leading off Commerce Street on the left hand side (East side) was Jane Street, and following on down Commerce Street perhaps for some one hundred yards you would meet up with William Street adjoining from the right hand side (West side), and then finally the next terraced row of houses again leading off to the right (West side) was Smithies Street.

I can also remember another house quite large which stood alone with a large garden and think it may have been called “Carr Villa”. This house stood out to be a slightly more grandeur than most of the surrounding houses in the area and I would probably have thought it could well have originally been built as the Manager’s House for the local nearby factory.

The only industrial building I remember was the very large three story white factory, which seemed to have lots and lots of whitewashed windows. It also had a very large chimney, which was about halfway along the length of the factory. And also to its West side was a lovely lodge, which would usually have Moorhens or Coots and perhaps Mallard meandering about in its rushy margins… This factory was a cotton manufacturing company that traded by the name of James Lambert and Co. Ltd. Sometimes I would go past the office and shout hello to Mr. Whitaker who was the Manager at that time. I am sure the late Jonas Hindle whose family ran the business for a long number of years was the founder of the factory.

I personally can only remember one shop in Carrs; it was a sort of general provisions, grocery/sweets tuck shop that was on the main street, Commerce Street.

I would visit the village quite regular to see a couple of pals from school. And we would “act the pig” as they say, or do what boys do, and sometimes would go up past Todd Hall and up the lane and eventually onto the top of the Quarry. I can remember the lane always seemed to have lovely colourful wildflower borders mainly consisting of heather, and sometimes you would smell that sweet honeydew aroma of freshly cut grass from the nearby haymaking fields. There was a time I remember when grass snakes could be found in the Hutch Bank area, but that was the 1950’s, sadly there have not been any reports of them since, to the best of my knowledge.

I remember the quarry always seemed a exciting prospect to investigate when we where lads, which had by now closed down as a working quarry. But was always especially intrigued by going through the two very dark tunnels, which had cold dripping water running down from above and sometimes on to your head, so you tried to duck and dive, as you fumbled your way through them. The tunnels had narrow gauge railway lines running through them. I suppose these were the very lines that the small locomotive “Ant” must have run on to move stone from one part of the quarry, and onward to the crusher.

Another strong memory of Carrs, was that all the street’s road surfaces where made up of stone setts (rectangular paving blocks made of stone which measured about 8” x 6” and maybe about 5” in depth), and these used to have tar poured between the nicks of the stones to seal them, and sometimes during the summer months this tar would get warm in the sun and would often soften a little to make a pliable consistency, and children would pick out the tar with their fingers and then roll it in their fingers and hands and make and shape the tar into little balls, which they would chose then to chase and throw the balls at one another. The tar had quite a unique smell, which did not seem too unpleasant at the time.

Besides the stone setts for the road, I remember the pavements in Carrs also had proper stone, which could well have been what they call “Haslingden Flag” which I would have thought came from the nearby quarries or very local to the area. I was told that the same flags where used to pave parts of Trafalgar Square in London, and it was also rumoured that local stone may have been used for the base plinths of Eiffel Tower in France.

Most days, after school finished (St. James C of E) I would walk down Prinny Hill towards Carrs and after going over the railway bridge, the footpath would sort of turn back on itself, before turning into a small 6ft wide cobbled footpath, and this was sandwiched between on one side, pens where people had chickens and ducks, whilst others I think may have had allotments and growing vegetables or flowers or maybe both., and on the other side of the footpath you ran up against the old creosoted “stood on edge railway sleepers” which placed side by side with the tops chamfered to a point made a ideal boundary fence for the playing fields of our school, St. James (Top Church). I played many an interesting game of football here, changing in the large old wooden pavilion. Could not begin to count the amount of times the ball actually went into the “Swinnel” and had to be rescued before it reached the tunnel.

At the bottom of this cobbled footpath, you would then cross over the small Swinnel footbridge which was bordered with iron railings, where you could proceed to go straight forward on a sort of rough single track road, for a couple of hundred yards before joining into Commerce Street or you could do what I did on most days and turn right and follow the footpath which went along the edge of the Swinnel Brook, for a short while, whilst under the canopy of some well matured trees. Soon you reached the railway bridge, where you had to take a sharp left, and you then followed a long ginnel (narrow pathway), which ran alongside the Grove Mill factory, and then at the top of the long ginnel you either continued onward and climbed many steps, with railings on the right side of you, and this way brought you up into Commerce Street.

Or just after leaving the long ginnel and before the steps you could turn right and follow the cobbled road past the lodge and you would also join Commerce Street but further up the road, not far away from where the Haslingden Commercial Mill Company would have their boiler house on the right hand side. For me it was then a straight through journey past the nearby Haslingden Railway Station, and Stations Goods Yard and following the railway to Carr Hall Street and eventually into Hud Hey Road. I suppose I did this walk home from the school on most days.

Without doubt I would expect Todd Hall to have been the oldest property in the village and it still exist today. I remember hearing tales reporting it to be haunted, and other stories that said there was a sort of “hiding space” built into the walls, to hide escaping priest from the Church on the hill (St. James). Also there was another tale that I find extremely hard to believe of how there was a old escape route which led down from the Haslingden St. James Church on the hill and went underground and led to Todd Hall, so that early day priest could escape when the soldiers came after them.

Carrs today is in the main a Industrial Site and is photographed at the top right of the blog...
(Please click over photos to enlarge or click again to supersize)Thanks to John R. Edwards who has kindly sent in the following information about the "Prinny Hill Steam Rope Works " (4th Aug 2011). The works can be seen in the top left photo: Hi Bryan
I used to go to the Rope Works, on the right parallel with the railway at the bottom of Prinny Hill - just before the bridge over the railway line, as a boy about 9 yrs old. Over the bridge on the right a Mr Goldburn had a henpen, on the other side of the railway track.
It was run by a Mr Senior and his assistant Joe Chappelow (? spelling). The shed was about 120 yds long and 5yds wide with a dirt floor, part stone walls, windows above - on the west side, to provide light, then a wood and felt roof.
The entrance was down a couple of steps to the office down a few more to the engine room on the left, which housed as I remember a 2 stroke diesel engine, which had to be stopped at a particular point by Joe, so that he could easily start it the next day. He used a large piece of cloth to act as a brake on the flywheel to achieve this.
I used to 'help' after school and on Sat. mornings. On a couple of occasions Mr Senior let me go with him in his car, with the boot full on his deliveries to far flung places such as Bolton, selling his clothes lines and balls of different types of string. Occasionally they would make ropes 1" or more diameter, these were made on a twisting machine that started out twisting small threads together, up to 12 at a time, then joining 4 together, making 3 strings which in turn were joined together to make a three strand rope 100 yds long.
The string was made on the spinner in the middle of the room and then transferred to an endless belt system, where the strands were spliced together,to make a loop the length of the building, sized to lay down the fibres or waxed. After drying the string was cut to set lengths and put on a spooler to make balls of string. The same principle was used to make clothes lines. When these were cut to length they were wound round a piece of wood with two pegs at the ends, then wound around; still the same size as today.
Joe also had a henpen alongside the ropeworks, where he kept hens and grew some vegatables.
I remember his nephew worked there for a time, he had been a soldier, and told me stories about his time in the army, whilst whittling on a piece of wood.
John R Edwards

Thanks to Ian Edmundson who has sent the following information (9th August 2011).
The big house was owned and lived in by Tony Hoyle I believe (Empire and Duke of Wellington). I lived at 1 Commerce Street from until 1957 (when I was four) and still remember our days there. I used to go to Todd Hall Farm to see Jim Robert Sunter and to 'help' wherever I could. I remember hay making in the fields using horses to mow and pull the wagons and later on the horses being taken away from Todd Hall whilst my brother and I looked on from the hay loft.
Also just remembered that Jim Robert's wife was Elsie Sunter. Another memory is Jim Robert's pipe and the twist tobacco he used to smoke. He used to cut a piece off and then rub it between his palms and fill his pipe.
Ian

Thanks to Carol Roberts who has kindly sent the following information about the residents of Commerce Street and Jayne Street. (17th October 2011)

Hi Bryan,
I am Carol and I used to live in Carrs in the 60's. We moved to number 15 Commerce Street in 1962, there was my mother my 2 brothers and sister and of course me, I can remember a few people who lived in Carrs. First as you entered Commerce Street there was a big house on your right which was raised up and it was occupied by an Irish couple, Mr & Mrs Sharkey, and I think they had about 11 children. Then there was the archway, then numbers 1,3, and 5 not sure who lived in these but in number 7 was a young couple Mr & Mrs Kash & Madge Jogojavinsky and their baby son Kash, not sure what nationality Kash was but Madge was scottish. Number 9 was also a young couple, can't remember their name but the wife's name was Carole and they had a baby son. At number 11, was Tony and Lynda Bennet they had also had a son. Number 13 was empty, I heard it was occupied by an elderly couple and when his wife died he hung himself and there was no known relatives found so it was boarded up and earned itself the name " the haunted house" of the street. Number 15 wa Mrs Millicent Stebbings and her four children, John, Carol(me), Douglas and Susan.
Number 17 was Mr & Mrs Anne Trickett and their daughter Anne and their son. In one of the following houses was a young girl who lived with her grandmother. In the end house was a chap named Morris (who drove a Morris van and had a terrier type dog) he used it for storage but came every so often to do items for functions of which I helped to paint for him for a bit of spending money.
Jayne Street opposite not sure who was in the first house but in the second house was a Mr & Mrs Owen Greenhouse then further down was Mary and George Horlock an elderly brother and sister, I used to fetch a bucket of coal up from the cellar every day and Mary paid me a shilling a week for doing it, she died around 1966/7 and I believe George died about 1967/8.
Mr & Mrs Greenhouse had 2 daughters (twins) who lived in the next row of houses in Commerce Street, Hazel lived in either the second or third house with her husband and children,she married a Mr Robinson who's twin brother married her twin sister Glyn who lived further down the row nearer the shop. About a couple of doors up from the shop was a house with a fence round and a chap and his son lived there.
The shop which was on the corner of the row was in Commerce Street and William Street, it changed owners a number of times, if you turned left at the top of William Street you would find a few allotments of which people would grow their veg's or like Mr Greenwood rear turkeys for himself and daughters for Christmas, of which I would fetch his turkey food for a bit of pocket money. In Smithies Street about a couple of houses up was another irish family Mr & Mrs Delaney and their children (I think about 9), Mrs Delaney was the sister of Mrs Sharkey(Commerce Street). There was a small park which consisted of a set of swings and a roundabout,it was used on bonfire nights for the village to come and have all the bonfire treats for a couple of shillings.I didn't have much to do with the farm so I don't know who was there. Hope there are some more people who have these sort of memories, as long as we pass on our memories Carrs will never be gone for ever.
I have further memories about Haslingden but will send them in a separate mail.
Regards
Carol

Mr & Mrs Tricket moved out of number 17 and an elderly lady named Trixie with a few dogs moved in.There was a red phone box on the corner of Jane Street up against the wall of the garden which was the big house which seemed to be cut off from the rest of the village,about 1964/5 there was some celebrity visitors to the farm it was Pat Pheonix (Elsie Tanner) and William Roache (Ken Barlow) they both waved as they passed through the village,William Roache was a regular customer in one of the grocers shop up town,one day he was standing by me being served.I used Prinny Hill every time I went to town there was three ways that I used,the one under Paradise Terrace usually got rather muddy so it was better using one of the other ways,over the little bridge by Lamberts mill then up past the football ground and over the railway bridge of which if there was a train we always stopped and waved to the engine drivers,if you carried on up to the right you would come upon a rail in a wall which went round to the top,if you went to the left it brought you out by Paradise Terrace.I knew the people who lived in the first house on the balcony,they were Mr & Mrs James, daughter Susan and son Roy,and their black and white dog called Judy, on the corner was a disused shop with a full glass window and green frame,about half way down in one of the front houses lived an elderly chap, my mother worked as the school crossing patrol (lollipop lady) on the crossing for St. James's school and we used to shelter in the shop doorway when it was cold and wet,the elderly chap used to take in the lollipop save my mother carrying it home every day.I spent my last year of juniors at St.James and was in Miss Holden's class.Further along Blackburn road at the end of the houses there was a gap then Alderton's paper shop for whom I delivered papers after another gap I think the next building was a chemist.My Dad took my photo in Carrs in August 1964 with Prinny Hill in the back ground with it's many allotments and you can clearly see St. James church and the three peaks of St. James school also Paradise Terrace as it all was.
Photo is included within Photo album or click here.

PUBS THAT HAD BEEN THERE AND SOME WHICH ARE STILL THERE, AND OTHERS I WAS TOLD ABOUT

2011-05-30T13:55:00.075+01:00

PUBS THAT HAD BEEN THERE AND SOME THAT STILL ARE THERE, AND OTHERS I WAS TOLD ABOUT!….(from what I can remember and also historic ones)

Wow! The story used to go, that if you started at the bottom of Church Street and traversed each pub within the Top O’th’ Town Area and having participated of a gill (pronounced “jill” which = half a pint) in every single pub, that you would be well inebriated by the time you reached the last pub (that’s if you did reach the last pub)……and looking at the map below, I would not be surprised if you didn’t!!!

In more recent history, the local brewer was the Baxter family whom had their brewery at Lower Lane (which was at the top of Spring Lane) (now built on by the West View properties). The Baxter family resided in Helmshore, at the property which is now St. Veronicas Church. The Brewery was later taken over with Beverley’s of Wakefield, then later by Watney Mann and then by Wilsons brewery of Newton Heath, Manchester. Since the 1990’s pubs where subjected to various new laws which in some cases they had to be sold off to comply with the new manopolies commission laws, and so the areas pubs became owned, managed or tenanted by various individuals and as such the old brewery manopoly became much fragmented. Besides Baxter/Beverley’s, there was other regional brewers with pubs in Haslingden such as: Thwaites of Blackburn, Duttons Brewery of Blackburn (now owned by Whitbread),Matthew Brown (Lions Ales) of Blackburn, and Masseys Brewery of Burnley, now incorporated within the Bass Charrington group.

I have tried to list them starting at the very North West boundary. I am sure that I have probably missed one or two within the old township. So any constructive critisism or help or contributions shall always be most welcome. Dont forget to click over the photos to enlarge or click once again to supersize. But here goes:-

The Stonefold, Rising Bridge and Acre Pubs.

Sitting almost literally to the townships north west boundaries was the “George and Dragon” on the brow of the hill at Stonefold village was the Beverley’s pub, which once of a day would have belonged to the old Baxter Brewery. The pub was definitely open in the 1950s, but had closed down long before I was of drinking age. I think the property was taken over by Mr. Dickinson whom had a mobile fruit and veg round. I can remember him coming on a regular day through the week to where we lived at Hud Hey, his van was black in colour.

Also again near our boundary was the “Rising Bridge Inn” (formerly The Bridge Inn). Now I can remember going in this pub on several occasions. The first time probably at the age of around 5 or 6. We were upstairs at a wedding function. I also went in the pub in later years. The Brewery that had this pub was Matthew Brown (Lions Ales) of Blackburn. It had modifications during the 1990’s but never seemed to be a successful pub. Nowadays since around 2006 it has been the Spice Room, Indian Restaurant. And just further up the road in a Accrington direction was the Colliers Arms which was at 651 Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge, at the corner with Blackburn Road and Hazel Street. In fact its were the Haslingden direction bus stop is immediately opposite the Hollands Pie factory. The building you see now is only part of the old pub and the old pub used to have "Colliers Arms" painted on the slate roof. (thanks to Ray and Jackie Ramsbottom for this information on the Colliers Arms)

Leaving Rising Bridge and entering Acre, just at the point on leaving or entering Winfields, we had the “Great Tree Inn”. A Thwaites pub. I did try the odd pint on occasions, the landlord was first Brian Raynor. And later David Cronshaw. They always had a good darts team here and usually won the local darts leagues, or if they didnt the Crown did! The pub was acquisitioned over a couple of decades ago by local entreprenaur Dale Winfield, who did run the pub for a short time with management, then closed it down.

The Hud Hey and Hud Rake Pubs.

The Farmers Glory, on the almost brow of the Hill at Higher Hud Hey is still going strong. It is privately owned.
The Griffin on Hud Rake is still going strong. It was a Baxters/Beverleys/Watneys/Wilsons – but is currently privately owned by the Porter Brewery) which did have its brewing industry and its offices at the Pub.

The Station Steps/Railway and Blackburn Road Pubs.

And I do remember going home from school (St James C of E), regularly passing the “Railway Inn” which was at the bottom of Railway Road (off Blackburn Road), before I headed home along the railway sidings towards Hud Hey. (See photo on left). Again this was a Beverley’s pub. I remember the large wooden beer barrels sat near the rear entrance awaiting the draymen’s collection.
The Victoria was and is still at the Station Steps, And it was in my early days ran by Bill and Mary and it was another of the Beverley pubs. Over the more recent years its changed its name to the Magnet, and I think it may have been when “Winker” ran it, also named The Jesters, and is more recently a Italian Restaurant called La Veranda.

Further up the road towards Haslingden , just past the lychgate on the right hand side was yet another Beverley’s pub which was called the “Red Lion”. The pub was still open when I was a child in the 1950s, but by the 1960s had ceased being a pub and was then after a few years sold to some Asian gentlemen whom had it for a domestic residence for a few years before it was demolished along with other nearby buildings.

Regent Street, Market Place and Top O’th’ Town Pubs (See scan of old plan)

“The Regent” on Regent Street (see photo), dates back to the 19th century and was always previously known as “The Grey Mare Hotel.
Then at Market Place, just on the corner with Church Street (right hand side) there was “The Swan Hotel” (see photo).

And then as you proceeded up Church Street on the left (or West) side you had “The Bull’s Head Hotel” (see photo immediately below on left), The George Inn, The King’s Arms, and The Golden Cup Hotel, and at the top which corners Communion St you had The Staff Of Life. (later called "The Belt and Braces" and more laterly The Unity Club, its been a private dwelling for the past 20 plus years.

Coming back down Church Street on the East side you had “The Old Hare and Hounds”. And then the “Mason’s Arms” (Th’ Nook Alehouse) and a little lower down you had the “Bird In Hand”.

At Town Gate you had, the Old Hare and Hounds, and the New Hare and Hounds, and you also had the “Waggon and Horses”. There was also the “White Horse” and also the “Old Black Dog”.

Higher up above Church Street and Towngate there is High Street (more or less at the start of what is now Hud Rake) here there was “The Volunteers” (see photo of token below).

You can click over this map to enlarge, but you would probably be far better off if you click here and enlarge, to get the full original size.

Then on closeby King Street you had “The Prince of Wales”, and across Marsden Square you had the “Market Hotel” (See article below). Also on King Street and the junction of Hargreaves Street you had the Craven Heifer.
That is about it in regards to Top O’th’ Town Pubs. (Thanks to John Bedford for contributing to this part of the blog)

Haslingden Central - Deardengate (both Higher and Lower) including Pleasant Street and also Blackburn Road (Central only) and Manchester Road (Central only) and Bury Road.

On Bury Road There was The New Inn (later called The Thorn and nicknamed “The Broken Jaw”…. I do have a old billhead from the 19th Century (see photo) when obviously the pub was also a stablehouse.. I worked on the roof of the pub in the past, and it used to have a flat roof, but in later years this was taken off and a pitch roof was re introduced. The Thorn was also a Beverleys pub. The Pub shut down in the 1990s and in more recent times it has been used as The Mary Hindle Centre.

Coming down Bank Street and into Deardengate, before long on the left hand side you come to Pleasant Street, up here is “The Forresters” (Originally known as "Hark To Tackler") (also locally known these days as Th’ Owd Tack” ) This again was another Beverley’s pub and is now privately owned.

Coming back down onto Deardengate and at the crossroads you have “The Commercial Hotel (once a Beverley’s pub, but now privately owned). and also on the opposite site of the lights you have the Black Bull (previously known as: The Bull, Old Black Bull, O’Dwyers). Again it was another of Beverley’s Pubs years ago, but is now privately owned.

Going South into Lower Deardengate about three quarters down and on the corner with Charles Lane/Peel Street you have “The Roebuck” (previously known as: ). This was originally owned by the Massey’s Brewery of Burnley which was later taken over by the Bass Charrington group. The pub has been in private hands for the past twenty plus years.

A little further down Deardengate and on the opposite corner of Grane Road, you have the Bay Horse Hotel, which was a Thwaites of Blackburn pub, and did have its adjoining stables.

Flip Road, - If you went down Charles Lane and then beared right you would enter Flip Road, and here was another pub on the right hand side called the Dyers Arms (see photo) (better known as “The Flip). I can just about remember this pub has a child, but it ceased trading many years ago and was demolished when the new Bye Pass was built. (Thanks to John Simpson for the offer of this Dyers Arms postcard/photo)

Helmshore Road and Helmshore Village, Holcombe Road and Grane Road (West) Pubs:

Going down Deardengate and heading South towards Helmshore, you did have The Park, which was a Masseys House and was more or less opposite the bottom end of Victoria Park on the opposite side of the road. This was demolished some 30/40 years ago and new residential properties where built in its place.

Another two hundred yards down Helmshore Road, on the right hand side you have “The Clarence” which again has always been a Beverley’s House.

Continuing past the Clarence Pub, again going South, and just opposite the York Avenue turn off theres “Rose Cottage” a modernish building yet with traces of “tudor” wood black and white décor. Well on this very spot around hundred and fifty years ago stood the original Bay Horse Hotel but somewhere around 1858/9 the licence was shifted from this pub to the what is now the Bay Horse at the top of Grane Road (around the mid 19th Century) and then this pub at Flaxmoss was demolished. (Photo of the Old Bay Horse on left kindly supplied by John Simpson)
Perhaps a further half a mile down the road, again on the right hand side is The Station pub, still going strong today. This was always a Thwaites pub. I think today it is perhaps in private ownership.

A few hundred yards down again on the right hand side is the Bridge End (also click here to see Bridge End Blog), again this was one of the old Beverley’s pubs.

Moving on and up we eventually come to The White Horse which is on the side of the junction with Holcolmbe Road. This was for years a Duttons Pub, but has been in local ownership, having changed its name several times by different managements.

After leaving the White Horse and heading North West along Holcombe Road, for some 200 yards you came to The Mechanic Arms on the right hand side. This building later became the Helmshore British Legion Club and since about 15 years ago it has been closed down and converted to a private dwelling. There was also the Turners Arms.

From here and heading North West, perhaps a further mile, on the right hand side you come to The Robin Hood, another pub which was at one time owned by Beverley’s.

Continuing along this road eventually you come to the “Three Lane Ends” (junction) and here you have the Holden Arms, again at one time owned by the Beverley’s Brewery, but been private now for a long many years. It served as the main pub for the Navvies of the nearby Quarries during the 19th Century.

From here and to reach our Western boundary we finish off this side with the Duke of Wellington. It was originally to my knowledge owned by Tony Hoyle and his mother (whom also ran the local picture houses). As long as I can remember it was always a “Free House”. I think they acquired it in the early days from the local water board, whom owned all the land around the Reservoirs. For the past 20/30 years it has been owned by Brewers Fayre.
Manchester Road down to Ewood Bridge.
The first pub on leaving Haslingden and heading South is The Crown on the left hand side, just before the junction with Bury Road (South Entry). It again was always a Beverley’s pub.

Another quarter of a mile on the left is The Rose and Crown, which was always a Masseys Pub.

Following the road directly South for another half mile and you come to the Woolpack, which is almost to the side of the large roundabout. The Woolpack always held a special licence to sell beer all day on a Thursday (whilst other pubs had to shut at 3pm – with the old licencing laws), but they could open to sell beer and spirits to the local farmers whom came from all over to sell and buy cattle at the local Haslingden Auction Mart, which was directly across the road from the pub.

Another mile or so heading towards our most Southerley border, but this time on the right side of the road was the Bridge Inn, at Ewood Bridge. This pub has been closed now for over twenty years, and altered to a private dwelling.

Haslingden Old Grane Pub called "The Seven Stars" (see photo below) and was at Crowtrees. Also at Grane there was the Hare and Hounds.

And below we have a old article about the Market Hotel which used to be at Marsden Square. So interesting to read that they had George Formby and Charlie Chaplin amongst their guest entertainers. (Many thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom for kindly supplying this rare old article).
And below is a great article called "A Story of Haslingden Pub Names" which was kindly sent in by Pat and John Bedford of Helmshore.

The Birds And Butterflies of Grane (First Published 1987 and Revised 1999)

2011-05-22T17:00:00.004+01:00

BIRDS OF GRANE
BIRDS OF GRANE
INCLUDING: ALDEN/MUSBURY
HASLINGDEN And OSWALDTWISTLE MOORS

(First published 1987 – revised 1999)
To make a clearer picture of the status of the Birds of Grane, I have taken the liberty to obtain some historical records (the only ones available), these are notes by the late C.K. Parker, Oakes & Battersby, B. Horam, also The Lancashire Bird Reports, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. K.G. Spencer.
Besides my own records I have included many records offered to me by my good friends. In particular I would like to make a special thanks to Neil Burke. I would also like to thank Nigel Higson, Ian Brady, Craig and Brian Bell, The late Mr. Brian Bispham, Bernard Dunn, Steve Duckworth, Eric Ward and Jim Ormerod, Bernard Addison, John Hollinrake, Alan Johnson, Roger Kennedy, Charlie Payne, Bill Monk, Jim Rostron, The late Mr. Ray Wright, David Thomas, Arnold Wade, Glyn Haworth, The Countryside Rangers, The North West Water Bailiffs, Rossendale Ornithologist Club, Members of the Haslingden & District Fly Fishing Club, Mrs.Jackie Ramsbottom whom for a long time ran the Information Centre and the many people who have so kindly offered their casual bird records from time to time.

Bryan Yorke
May 1999.
*************************************************************************************

BLACK THROATED DIVER (Gavia artica) One present on Holden Wood Reserver December 26th/27th 2000 (NB & GH). HW Reservoir froze over the following day, and the bird was then seen on Ogden up to 29th(JH).

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (Gavia immer) A single bird present on Ogden Reservoir for several days from 12th November 1978. (Rossendale Ornithologist Club Report). One present on Ogden Reservoir 25th January 1998 (ROC).

LITTLE GREBE (Tachybatus ruficollis) Single bird on Holden Wood Reservoir on 20th April 1985 (ROC) and again a single bird on Ogden Res 3rd January 1987, and probably that same bird still present yet this time on Calf Hey Res 7-29th January 1987 and left by the first freeze over. One on Holden Wood Reservoir – 10th February 1988. One present during the Winter of 1990. One present on Holden Wood Res 8th July and also 19th September 1992.(ROC). Bred at Holden Vale Flash during 1993. One on Holden Vale Flash during June 1994. A nest with 5 eggs was found on Holden Vale Flash 11th June 1994 (ROC). A single bird was seen at Holden Wood Res on 11th October 1998 and at Calf Hey Res on 22nd October and 3rd November 1998 (ROC).

GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus) Pair on Holden Wood Reservoir 4th April 1971 (Neil Burke). A pair on Ogden Reservoir, thought to have bred 28th May 1973 (NB). Single on Ogden 12th November 1977 (ROC), Singles at Grane 18th March and lst, 15th and 16th April 1979 (ROC), single at Grane the whole of March until 4th April 1980 (ROC). A single of this species shot at Holden Wood Reservoir during February 1981. Single adult on Holden Wood Reservoir March 26th and 27th 1986 in close company with single Pochard. Single present on Holden Wood Reservoir on Sept 12th 1987 in close company with single Tufted Duck. 4 on Calf Hey 20th March 1988. 4 on Holden Wood 7th April 1980. A pair seen on Ogden Reservoir 23rd and 25th May 1989 (ROC). Pair bred on Holden Wood Reservoir 1990 with two young (possibly three). Present on Holden Wood Res during May 1990. Breeding confirmed at Holden Wood with 1 juvenile 1991. 4 on Holden Wood Res on 15th March 1992 when courtship and aggressive activity between rival males was in full progress. Second hand information suggested that eggs had been stolen from the nest at Holden Wood Res 1992 (ROC).Successful breeding at Holden Wood 1993. A pair settled on Holden Wood Res by 14th May 1994 and seen regularly up until 9th July 1994 (ROC). Present on Holden Wood Res and Ogden during Spring and Autumn 1996- though no indication of breeding. One arrived back at Ogden in late March 1997 and was seen on various dates up to 25th April. Two birds were present on Ogden from May through to the 6th June, then only one bird by 19th June. One was incubating eggs at Holden Wood on 11th May and 3 other adults were present. One adult was later found dead, possibly killed by a mink, on 26th June 1997 the nest had been disturbed. (ROC). One had returned to Holden Wood by 13th February 1998 and a pair was present on 15th March. Nesting was successful. The nest had 3eggs on 4th May from which 2 eggs hatched. An adult and one young bird were seen on 24thJune and again on 15th July 1998 (ROC). Present at Holden Wood in May 2002 although no evidence of breeding.

BLACK-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis) One was present at Calf Hey on 19th and 20th August 1995 (ROC).

RED NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisengena) Two birds of this species were present all day at Ogden Reservoir and observed very close up with ‘minnows in bill’ on January 17th 1987. I have not been able to find any previous records for this species present in Rossendale and the probable reason for this rare occurrence was the exceptional freezing up weather during 1987 within the Baltic regions, this bringing many more birds into this Country, and many other reports came to light throughout Northern England around this time.

SLAVONIAN GREBE (Podiceps auritus) One reported shot on ‘Grane Reservoir’ in February 1903 or 1904? (C.K. Parker), this was subsequently regarded as an unconfirmed report (Oakes & Battersby).

CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carba) One was shot near to Holden Wood Reservoir in August 1915(C..K. Parker), one on Ogden Reservoir in November and December 1968(ROC), One flew over Ogden Res on 13th September 1981 (ROC). One on Holden Wood Res 10th Oct 1986 and present most of the morning (Nigel Higson). A single bird flew high up over the Grane Valley 0915hrs East to West on April 12th 1987. One present on Ogden Res 25th July and present for several days. I witnessed an extraordinary and interesting record on 18th Sept 1988 when a close party of 10 birds preceded by some 30yards a party of 17 Pink Footed Geese obviously on East-West migration following the path of the Grane Valley. A party of 35 birds in small rafts proceeded up the Grane Valley on 13th December 1990. 2 present on Ogden Res during July 1992. One on Ogden Res from 25th Oct through November and again on 14th and 16th December 1994 (ROC). A single present on Ogden Res on 22nd January 1995 and seen throughout February and then on Holden Wood on 1st March 1995 (ROC). One present at Ogden on 18th September and 13th October 1996 (ROC). One on Ogden 16th November 1997 (ROC).There were singles on Ogden on 9th August and 11th October 1998 and also at Holden Wood on 6th December 1998 (ROC). Now becoming very common and seen almost on a weekly basis outside its breeding period 2002-2003.

GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) A very common visitor and seen almost daily on one or other of the Reservoirs. A juvenile bird was reported shot and found at the side of the Ogden Reservoir during 1986, the bird was taken to Haslingden Police Station. 6 at Musbury on 6th April 1996 and 7 on Holden Wood on 18th August 1996 (ROC).

MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor) A occasional visitor. 4 first year juveniles present on Ogden Res on the morning only of 26th January 1987. A single bird was present on Holden Wood Res on 4th and 5th May 1990. One was seen regular on Holden Wood and Ogden Reservoirs between 9th May and 23rd June 1997 (ROC).

BEWICK SWAN (Cygnus bewickii) A single bird was present at Calf Hey Reservoir for at least 3 days during the Winter of 1987.

WHOOPER SWAN (Cygnus cygnus) 4 on Ogden Res (2 adults and 2 imm) on 11th November 1984. Two of this species were present on Holden Wood Reservoir during the last week of December 1985, one of these birds was later found shot dead, youths with airguns are believed responsible. Two overhead of Ogden Reservoir flying SW to NE 0700hrs on March 16th 1986. One on Ogden Rs 7th Jan 1988(IB), One on Ogden Res 25th December 1988. 5 present on Holden Wood Reservoir on 15th December 1991. A single bird present on Calf Hey Res on 13th December 1992.

LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser erythropus) A single bird presumably an escape – was seen with the Canada Geese at Grane from 28th June to the end of the year 1997 (ROC). Seen again early 1998 up to 13th February and then absent until 10th July and then remained to the end of the year (ROC)

PINK FOOTED GOOSE (Anatidae brachyrhynchus) A single bird was flushed from Musbury on 4th January 1981 (ROC), A skein of 17 flew over Ogden Res (E to W) at 10.55hrs on December 17th 1986. 50 flew up the Grane Valley 1000hrs (E to W) 17th January 1987 (Bob then NWWA Bailiff). On 28th January 1987 50 at 0910hrs, 52 at 0915hrs (W to East) over Grane and at 1030hrs approx 100 birds flew (SE to NW) probably the same birds on return from earlier that morning. 44 flew (E to W) on 20th February 1988 (NH). 17 flew (E to W) 18th September 1988 in very close company of 10 preceding Cormorant – very unusual!. One (SE to NW on 29th Sept 1988, 4 (E to W) on 28th October 1988, 11 E to W on 28th October 1988. 80 (NE to SW) on 30th October 1988 (CraigBell). 40 flew West to East over Haslingden Moor on 23rd December 1989 (ROC). 150 flying west over Calf Hey on 19th November 1995 (ROC).

GREYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser) From the 20th March 1995 and throughout the year two birds were present with the Canadas on Ogden Res (ROC). The two birds were seen regular with the flock of Canada Geese at Grane from about the 12th June 1996 up to the end of the year (ROC). The Two birds seen with the Canada’s were present until 7th March 1997. Later in the year a single bird was present from 3rd June to the end of the year (ROC). A single bird present at Grane with the Canadas on dates from January to April and again on 15th June 1998 (ROC).

CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) Several birds on Holden Wood Res on 26th March 1978, took off and flew over Hutch Bank Quarry direction. 3 birds present on Ogden 6th April 1983, these birds stayed up to three weeks. 5 birds present on 22nd May 1983 (ROC). Four landed on Ogden Reservoir and stayed for 10 minutes on March 26th 1986. 7 flew over Holden Wood and Ogden then veered towards Edgeworth 1130hrs on 1st March 1987. Four in reed margins of Holden Wood Res 1213hrs on 25th March 1987. A single bird present on Ogden Reservoir all day on 16th April, then transferred itself to the Holden Wood Res. Two on Ogden Res 17th April 1987. 6 on Holden Wood Res 19th April 1987. 4 on Ogden Res 23rd April 1987 (Jim Rostron). One on Ogden Reservoir lst May 1987. 25 flying low from Darwen over Grane and heading in the Rawtenstall direction 1842hrs on 15th June 1987. 7 on Holden Wood on 15th March 1992 (ROC). 26 on Holden Wood Res on 12th June 1994 (ROC). Most years attempted nest building takes place on the Ogden Reservoir – again in 1995 the eggs were all taken. During 1996 the species bred on Ogden Res with 5 goslings recorded on 9th June. Up to 68 birds had been recorded on one count at Grane by the end of the year. They bred successfully at the Ogden during 1997. 70 present at Holden Wood on 19th October 1997. We believe the colonizing stems from populations established at nearby Wayoh/Entwistle/Jumbles areas. Successful breeding occurred at Ogden Res during 1998 where a pair had 5 goslings during May and were surviving in July (ROC). 60 present on Holden Wood Res early-mid August 2000.

BARNACLE GOOSE (Branta leucopsis) One was with a pair of Canada Geese on Calf Hey on 20th March 1994 (ROC).

BRENT GOOSE (Branta bernicla) An individual of the dark-bellied race was present with 27 Canada Geese and 2 Greylags at Holden Wood on 10th and 17th December 1995. Its origin is unknown and, like the Greylags, it may have been an escaped or feral bird (ROC).

SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna) One record of a bird at Ogden Reservoir on 17th July 1968 (ROC), One over Ogden Reservoir 27th January 1988 (Bill Monk). 2 on Ogden Reservoir 29th January 1988. 35 flying East to West over Haslingden Moor on 27th August 1990 (ROC). A pair was seen at Holden Wood Res on 24th January 1993 (ROC).

WIGEON (Anas penelope) Earlier this century it was often seen on Musbury Moor in winter. 5 birds were on Ogden Reservoir on 23rd February 1919 (CKP). A single male was on Holden Wood Reservoir 6th October 1986. One male in eclipse plumage was on Calf Hey 16th October 1986. One on Ogden on 24th January 1987 (NB). 20 birds on passage 27th October 1988. 4 (l male and 3 female) on Holden Wood Reservoir during late March 1991. 5 birds present on Calf Hey on 12th April 1991 (ROC). One at Holden Wood late November 1994. A pair was present on Calf Hey on 5th October 1995. A single bird on Holden Wood on 17th November 1996 (ROC). Present in small numbers at Holden Wood during January and again in October 1997.

TEAL (Anas crecca) One on Ogden Res 18th Dec 1977 (ROC). 2 on Grane Res 22nd Oct 1978 (ROC). 2 on Grane Res on several occasions late September and early October 1979 (ROC). Six on Grane Res 21st Sept 1980. Pair present on Haslingden Moor during breeding season 1982. Three (2 male l female) on Holden Wood Reservoir on 13th March 1987, One pair on Holden Wood Res on 24th March 1987. One flew over valley E to W at 1900hrs on 6th April 1987. A male on Holden Wood Res 5th March 1988. 20 on Ogden Res 6th March 1988. One in flight E-W through valley on 24th September 1988. A pair on Holden Wood Reservoir on 27th December 1988. Two at Grane on 11th November 1989 (ROC). One at Holden Wood Res on 9th August 1990. 5 birds on Holden Wood Res 13th October 1991. 3 on Haslingden/Oswaldtwistle Moor on 30th August 1993. Possibly bred on Haslingden Moor –seen during April and early May 1994 (ROC). 7 present on Holden Wood Res on 18th and 27th August 1997 (ROC). A pair seen at Holden Wood Res on 1st March 1998 (ROC). Present in February and November 2002 at Holden Wood.

CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) A bird of this species, presumably an escape, was seen at Holden Wood on 19th May and 1st June 1993 (ROC).

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) The most common of our wildfowl to frequent the Grane and surrounding areas with odd pairs being seen almost daily, within and outside of the breeding season. I have listed only peak counts: 33 on Ogden Reservoir 14th October 1977, 42 on Ogden Reservoir during 1978/9, 45 on Calf Hey Reservoir on 2nd January 1985, 36 on Ogden Res 28th December 1986. During 1988 at least six pairs bred within the Valley. A female with 6 chicks on Calf Hey Res 21st May 1988. Two separate parties with chicks c6 and c9 were on Calf Hey Res 9th June 1988. 40 on Calf Hey Res on 18th November 1995 (ROC). During October and November 1996 counts up to 100 birds were seen on the Grane Reservoirs. There is little change in the status into the nineties.

PINTAIL (Anas acuta) One seen on Ogden Reservoir showing difficulty with flight and making off down to Holden Wood Reservoir during Spring 1986 (Bill Monk). Single males were recorded at Holden Vale on 30th May and 7th July 1992 (ROC).A female was present on Holden Wood Reservoir on 28th July 1993 (ROC). A female was present on Calf Hey on 22nd Sept 2002 (ROC).

GARGANEY (Anas querquedula) One on Holden Wood Reservoir 28th March 2004.

SHOVELER (Anas clypeata) A male flying over all reservoirs 0900hrs onwards on 31st May 1987 and seen later that day on Holden Wood Flash.

POCHARD (Aythya ferina) A regular Winter visitor to Grane. One male on Calf Hey Res 27th April 1978 (ROC), 3 on Ogden 15th February 1981, 35 on Ogden 10th March 1985. 19 on Holden Wood Reservoir 7th Feb 1986, One in close company of Great Crested Grebe on Holden Wood Res 26th March 1986. A slow build up from a single bird on 2nd Nov 1986 to a peak of 48 by December 3lst 1986 and then a reduction gradually to nil by 7th Jan 1987. 4 on Ogden Res 24th January 1987. 2 birds on Holden Wood Res 4-15th January 1988. A single male on Holden Wood Res 20th to 23rd January 1988. 3 on Ogden 19th February 1987. One on Holden Wood Res in company with Tufted Duck on 2nd March 1987. 3 (2 male 1 female) on Holden Vale Flash March 6th 1987. 3 on Holden Wood Res 17th March 1987. 2 males on Holden Wood Res on 21st March 1987. A very early return for Grane with 1 male on Holden Wood Reservoir on 3rd September 1987 in close company with Tufted Duck. Between 7 and rising to 25 at Holden Wood Res- December 1989 (ROC). 23 on Ogden Res on 14th January 1990 (ROC). 21 present on Holden Wood Res on 3rd March 1991 (ROC). Probably the main water in Rossendale for this species- Counts up to 50 were present on Holden Wood Reservoir on 16th and 23rd February 1992.10 on Holden Wood Res 25th October 1994. Odd birds recorded during September and November 1996. Only odd birds seen during the latter part of the year 1998. This species has certainly thinned out in more recent times in this area with just odds and sods reported usually on Holden Wood 2002.

RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris) A male was present at Holden Wood Res on 12th January 1992 and seen again on 16th February 1992 also seen again later in the year during mid-November (ROC). A bird re-appeared at Holden Wood on 12th September 1993 and thereafter was seen up to the end of the year (ROC). Seen on periodic visits throughout the year on the Reservoirs during 1994 and 1995.

TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula) 45 on Ogden Res 7th Sept 1968 (ROC). A single male on Ogden Res 26th Aug 1980. A single male on Holden Wood Res 15th April 1986. Two paired present on Calf Hey Res 24th May 1986. Birds in small numbers were present during November, December and January (up to 10th) 1987 with a peak at that time of 6 on December 24th 1986. Odd birds present on all reservoirs during January, February and March 1987. The first return dates was September 3rd 1987 with 1 male and 1 female on Holden Wood Res. One on Holden Wood Reservoir on September 12th 1987 in close company with Great Crested Grebe. Odd birds present during the early part of 1989 on Holden Wood Res. 9 birds present on Holden Wood Res during December 1991. A flock of 20-30 birds was present at Holden Wood Res during January reducing to 6 in early February 1992 – a pair was still present on 15th March 1992- Nesting occurred for the second year in this area and in July a pair was seen with 4 young on Holden Vale pond (ROC). Bred during 1993. 28 on Ogden Reservoir on 6th November 1994. Present on all 3 reservoirs at various times throughout 1995 and 1996. Two pairs were present on Holden Wood Reservoir from May until July 1997 – one pair probably attempted breeding but failed (ROC). Seen regular at Holden Wood during 1998 though no concrete evidence of breeding.

SCAUP (Aythya marila) In earlier years several were reported shot at “ the reservoir on Haslingden Moor” (Mitchell). Two being shot on 2nd June 1887, and two more on 24th November 1890 (K.G. Spencer). A female at Haslingden Grane, November 12th and 13th 1978 (ROC).

COMMON SCOTER (Melanitta nigra) A female present on Calf Hey Reservoir on 23rd May 1985. A male present on Ogden Reservoir June 3rd 1987 and later seen on Calf Hey Res the following day.

GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) A female on Grane 12th November 1978, 3 males on 13th November 1978 (ROC), A male at Grane on lst April 1979 (ROC) . 2 females at Grane on 18th October 1980. One at Grane 15th March 1981. One on 15th November 1981. A male present at Grane 5th December 1982. A female present on Holden Wood Flash on December 29th until mid January 1987 – the bird last seen on Holden Wood Reservoir. A pair present on Ogden Res 1730hrs on 10th March 1987. A single female was on Calf Hey on 27th March 1989. (ROC) and singles were seen on Holden Wood Res on 6th December 1989 (ROC).A flock of 18 on Calf Hey during mid November 1990 – probably largest number recorded (ROC). Present on Calf Hey during October and December 1992 (ROC). A single female was present at Calf Hey on 14th February 1993. Seen on Holden Wood Res during the Winter months. Odd birds reported during the Winter months of 1996. Seen at Calf Hey during the winter of 1998.

GOOSANDER (Mergus merganser) Seven birds wintered on Ogden Reservoir during 1970. A male on Ogden 21st February 1971 (NB). A single male was on Calf Hey Reservoir on 15th May 1973 (ROC). A single male on Ogden Res 7th February 1986. Six females on Haslingden Grane lst January 1985 (ADS/DES), One female on Ogden 6th January 1987. One male on Ogden 8th February 1987 (IB). One male on Ogden 18th February 1987. One male on Ogden lst March 1987 (IB). One male and four females on Holden Wood on 2nd March 1987 and joined by immature male on the 3rd. One male and three female on Ogden on 14th March 1987. One male and 3 female on Holden Wood Res 23rd and 24th March 1987. A pair on Calf Hey and later Holden Wood on 28th March 1987. There was 4 birds on 5th February rising to 18 by the 19th February 1989 on Ogden Reservoir (ROC). Present on all reservoirs during Winter of 1990. 7 at Ogden on lst December 1991 (ROC). 5 were on Ogden Reservoir on 24th December 1992 when Holden Wood Res was frozen over. Present during the Winter months 1993 with up to 12 birds.8 on Holden Wood Res 20th February 1994 (ROC). The species was recorded on Holden Wood and Ogden during December 1996. Seen in small numbers at Grane during the Winter of 1998. It is very probable that many visits we get at Grane are birds which also frequent the Wayor/Entwistle and Anglezarke Reservoirs. The species is a regular visitor to the Grane during the harder Winter months.

RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis) A single male at Holden Wood Reservoir on 29th September 1992 was a first for Rossendale. It remained until the 2nd or 3rd October 1992 (ROC).

RED KITE (Milvus milvus) One was at Calf Hey on 1st November 2005

HEN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus) One flying over Haslingden Moor on 21st September 1978 (ROC). One male flew NE from Musbury over Haslingden on 23rd April 1984 (Brian Bispham). One female being haressed by crows on Oswaldtwistle Moor on May 9th 1987 flying off towards the Cribden direction. A female was seen over Rushy Hill on 14th July 1991 (ROC). A female was seen near Pickup Bank on 5th April 1992. A ringtail was seen near Pickup Bank on 21st March 1998. I have seen both adults and ringtail birds of this species over the years quartering over the Pike Lowe areas during their Spring and Autumn migrations. A female in the Alden and Musbury area on 4th & 29th January and also on the 14th April 2002 (J&B. R), 18th Sept 2008 a ringtail was over Priestentax (BY & CP), a bird was on Bentley Moss 1st Oct 2008 (GH-Ranger)

MARSH HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus) One flew across the top end of Grane on 2nd May 1997 (ROC).

GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis) One was seen soaring over Pickup Bank on 27th March 1994 (ROC). An escaped bird with jesses was seen in display flight over Grane on April 20th 1996 (NB). Seen also during 1998 and 1999. A bird was found dead in the planting alongside the bay of Ogden Reservoir during the Spring of 2003, death thought to be a overrun hunting attack on a local grey squirrel. (Countryside Ranger)

SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus) Bred in Grane in 1936 (Birds of East Lancashire) . The area of Grane has been a stronghold of this species for many years and its known to have bred in most years. The area probably supports up to 3 pairs. One male found shot dead on 29th March 1986 (NB) and a female found dead under nest at Grane in 1987 (NB). On 13th December 1996 one killed a Fieldfare at Musbury (ROC). Seen regularly in Grane during the nineties.

HONEY BUZZARD (Pernis apivorous) One seen over Heap Clough on 12th May 2007.

BUZZARD (Buteo buteo) In the Spring of 1913 there was evidence of a pair roosting in the area (Oakes & Battersby). One on 7th Sept 1968 (ROC). One at Grane early October 1986. A single at Calf Hey in Spring 1985. There were 2 records of birds on passage, one on 9th May 1995 over Holden Wood and one over Deep Clough on 27th August 1995. On Spring passage one was seen over Musbury Tor on 3rd April 1996 (ROC). During Autumn 1996 one was present in the Alden Valley on 22nd September and 1st October. One was seen over Ogden and Holden Wood Reservoirs on 3rd July 1997 (ROC). A single bird thought to be of this species seen soaring above the Information Centre on 31st April 1999 (Countryside Rangers). One over Musbury on 8th July 2002 (ROC).

ROUGH LEGGED BUZZARD (Buteo lagopus) A male was seen being chased by a Merlin on Haslingden Grane on October 11th 1880 and was shot by J. Hoyle (Birds of East Lancashire).

OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) A second-hand report of one over Holcombe during May 1982 (ROC). One flew over the Grey Mare Pub near Haslingden Grane on 10th October 1984 (B.Bell). One on April 27th 1987 flying with fish in talons from Grane direction and alighted on Thirteen Stone Hill on Haslingden Moor and later when disturbed flew off still carrying its prey in the Burnley direction (1730hrs). I checked out the site where I saw the bird feeding and was able to collect several fish scales which turned out to be Roach. Several weeks later after talking to some fishermen they reported having seen the bird on Holden Wood Reservoir that same day. During 1997 two separate sightings were reported by anglers at Grane during mid-August on different days- one over Ogden Reservoir attempted to catch a fish then flew into Kings Hillock Wood – One flew over Haslingden Moor on 21st September 1997. One seen during the last week of April 1999 over the Grane Area (JR). The species probably passes through the Grane almost every year during its Spring and Autumn migrations. A single bird recorded during Easter 2002 at Ogden Res (A.Wade). Birds recorded over Ogden, Musbury areas: 29th March 2002, 20th June 2002, 5th & 13th July 2002 and also a return passage bird on the 3rd September 2002 – an exceptional year! A bird was witnessed going North over Grane Road at 1130hrs on the 9th May 2005 (N.Higson).

KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) Breeds regularly in the Grane Area. On 5th August 1986 I witnessed 11 of this species in almost perfect alignment over a area approx 500 yards on the side of Haslingden Moor, hovering at the side of each another, each occasionally swooping down after insects (taking young Crane Flies), and then returning to their hovering positions, this carried on for at least two hours to my knowledge. Obviously there must have been at least 3 family groups and was it just a mass food supply situation or was it young birds being taught how to catch insects ? The mystery still remains, the Kestrel is certainly not gregarious within the breeding season, however it is possible they may tolerate one another more so outside the breeding season.

MERLIN (Falco columbarius) One seen chasing Rough Legged Buzzard at Grane on Oct 11th 1880 (Birds Of East Lancs) . Formerly bred in the area with two pairs in the 1950’s. One pair bred at Musbury May 1965 (NB). One present in Musbury Valley on 19th December 1980 (ROC). A female in the Musbury Valley on 11th and 13th of August 1981 (ROC), A male being mobbed by Meadow Pipits near Pilgrims Cross, Holcombe Moor 1145hrs on May 19th 1985. A pair bred in Grane in 1990 but the young birds were robbed. Single birds were present at Grane on 16th and 18th October 1996 (ROC). Seen on different dates flying over Musbury and Haslingden Moor during 1997 (ROC). One seen over Ogden on 15th July 1998 (ROC).

HOBBY (Falco subbuteo) One at Alden on 14th July 1981(ROC).

PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) One probably a female was reported attacking four Herring Gulls at the reservoirs on 3rd March 1917 with a similar incident recorded in January 1918 (CKP). One hunting in the Grane Valley 1340hrs on Feb 7th 1987. Two separate sightings in the Grane Valley on February 16th 1987 (John Hollindrake), A female crossed Haslingden Moor into Grane at 1437hrs on February 28th 1987. A single bird was seen over Musbury on 8th and 11th December 1998 (ROC). Seen fairly regular within the Grane Areas during the nineties and into the new millenium.

RED GROUSE (Lagopus lagopus) This species has declined drastically within our Area in most recent years, probably due in the main to heather loss. And now only the odd couple of pairs seen on the Haslingden/Oswaldtwistle with a similar situation on the Alden/Holcombe side. 8 on Oswaldtwistle/Haslingden Moor on 24th September 1979 (ROC). 10 on Haslingden Moor 31st August 1986 (Bernard Addison). 4 on Haslingden Moor 2nd February 1988. Bred on Haslingden Moor and Musbury Heights during 1991. 8 birds seen on Haslingden Moor on 26th August 1994.A covey of 15 to 20 birds was recorded on Musbury Heights on 28th August 1995. Present on the Moors during 1996.

RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa) A single record of one bird on 1st January 1968 (ROC). Present in the Musbury area during the eighties.

GREY PARTRIDGE (Perdix perdix) Three to four pair may breed within our area. 15 birds at Haslingden Grane during September 1984 (ROC). A covey of 5 present at Holden Wood on 27th Sept 1986. Present in Musbury and one pair in Grane during 1991 (ROC). Present at Hutch Bank Quarry area on 4th May 1992. 3 pairs recorded at Grane during 1994. Single reports during June and July 1995 from Musbury and Haslingden Moor.

QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix) One was calling at Musbury on 23rd June 1990 (ROC). One was calling from a meadow near Hoddlesden Moss on 25th May 1997.

COMMON PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) Occasional records pop up from time to time. Usually escaped birds turn up in the Grane/Musbury and Alden Valleys. A male was seen in the Musbury Valley on 23rd and 31st March 1994 (ROC). More recently I have heard birds calling from Calf Hey and Alden.

WATER RAIL (Rallus aquaticus) A single bird was present on Holden Wood Reservoir on 6th December 1990 (ROC).

CORNCRAKE (Crex crex) Formerly bred in the area. (CKParker & Oakes & Battersby).

MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) A successful breeder within our areas with up to seven pairs nesting annually.

COOT (Fulica atra) A pair attempted breeding at Calf Hey Res, they were seen on 21st and 22nd May 1978, one bird seen carrying nesting material, there was no further sightings of the birds by 11th June 1978. Two were present at Haslingden Grane on 6th and 12th May 1979 and one further sighting 25th November 1979. On 9th May 1979 a pair was also seen on Holden Wood Reservoir. Breeding did occur at Holden Wood Reservoir where a pair with five young was seen on 23rd May 1983. A single on Holden Wood Reservoir 1985. A single on Holden Wood Res on Mar 21st 1987. A pair bred on Holden Wood Reservoir during 1990. 3 pairs nested at Holden Wood Reservoir and juveniles were seen on various dates including 5 on 10th June 1992 (ROC). Present most of 1993 with up to 10 birds at peak dates. Present on Holden Vale/Holden Wood and Ogden during 1996. At Holden Wood 4 to 9 were present in April and early May 1997 but these moved on, possibly due to predation by feral mink (ROC). When the Holden Vale Mftg Co where drawing off the water from the Reservoir there was too much fluctuation in the water levels which regularly disrupted this species trying to breed, however now the water levels are pretty constant-hopefully things are picking up. The same problem associated itself with the Great Crested Grebe. Seen regular on Holden Wood Res most of the year though no evidence of breeding 1998.

OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus) One at Ogden Reservoir on 21st June 1969 (ROC). 10 flew past Calf Hey Res on 27th July 1981, 2 at Haslingden Grane on 22nd July 1982. One on Ogden Res on 10th Feb 1985. One among post breeding Lapwings on Ogden Res 5th August 1986. 6 resting up all day at Calf Hey Reservoir (temporarily drained for valve repair work) on 15th August 1987. 3 to 4 birds frequented Holden Wood Reservoir during May and June 1993 (ROC). One at Holden Wood on 7th September 1997 (ROC).

STONE CURLEW (Burhinus oedicnemus) One shot on Haslingden Moor in Spring of 1879 by W. Sawyer, constitutes the first record of this species in Lancashire. (Oakes & Battersby).

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius) This species is known to have bred in the area in 1983,86 and 87. Chicks were succesfully raised in 83,86, yet only one chick was raised in 87 and its success is unknown. During 1996 a pair bred successfully with one chick, after a previous attempt (ROC). Much disruption of its breeding habitat took place in the early to mid 90’s and no further breeding was forthwith at the established grounds. However the species has re established itself still within the boundaries of our report and we are pleased to know it has successfully bred in most years during the late 90’s. A pair was present at Holden Wood from 17th May to 14th June 1998 and a pair was seen with young at a nearby site on 20th June 1998 (ROC). 3 birds present on Holden Wood Res from 8th to 14th August 2000.

RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) On Spring passage there were 2 at Ogden on 30th April 1996 and one was present on Holden Wood on 12th June 1996 (ROC). A single bird was present on Holden Wood Res on 20th July 1997 (ROC). A single bird on passage was seen at Holden Wood on 20th July 1998 (ROC).

DOTTEREL (Charadrius morinellus) The species is an occasional visitor, at least during the Spring migrations. It is believed the birds which call in are stopping over between 12-24hrs to feed up before setting off probably to the Scandinavias. It is very unlikely the birds are of Scottish stock, since I participated during 1993 in ‘The Survey of Breeding Dotterel in Great Britain Report’ and all breeding Scottish birds had been colour ringed, none of these colour ringed birds have ever been seen on our patch! 7 on Haslingden Moor 20th May 1984 (NB). A peak of 31 birds present on Oswaldtwistle/Haslingden Moor on 16th May 1987. On 2nd May 1989 13 were present on the Moor and on the 4th May 4 were seen on Haslingden Moor (ROC). 7 on Haslingden Moor on 2nd May 1994 (ROC). 1 on Haslingden Moor on 4th May 1995 and 6 on Oswaldtwistle Moor on 18th May 1995 (ROC).

GOLDEN PLOVER (Pluvialis apricaria) Bred at Wet Moss on Bull Hill during 1969,1970 and 1971, 3 pair present at the same site in 1984 (NB). Nest with 3 eggs –Alden 25th April 1971 (BD) .A single present on Musbury Heights on 9th April 1980. One pair bred on Haslingden Moor and one bird calling over Alden Valley on 8th May 1981 (NB). A pair present in Musbury area in late April 1982. 3 pairs present on Haslingden and Oswaldtwistle Moor and breeding confirmed of 2 pairs on 2nd June 1984. 3 birds present during breeding season on Haslingden Moor 1985. Two birds on passage on Haslingden Moor on September 22nd 1987. 5 on Haslingden Moor on 23rd December 1989 ROC). A flock of 350 birds were present on Haslingden Moor on 12th and 26th March 1990 (ROC). Bred on Haslingden Moor 1994 and also 5 birds present on 11th December 1994 (ROC). 36 on Haslingden Moor on 12th February 1995. A male apparently of the northern race was at Haslingden Moor on 3rd May 1995. 60-70 flew over Musbury 18th January 1996 (ROC). On 21st April 1996 3 birds on Haslingden Moor including a male with the very black throat and belly of a probable Northern race (ROC). Bred on Haslingden Moor rearing 3 young 1997 (NB). A pair nested on Haslingden Moor during 1998. A flock of 20+ was on Haslingden Moor on 13th December 1998. American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) A possible of this species was seen on Haslingden Moor during 1996-It was described as being very long-winged. It towered and then dropped to the ground. Its call was different from Pluvialis pricaria ).

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) One seen on Haslingden Moor 6th September 1996 (Neil Burke).

LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus) Several pairs breed on the Haslingden Moor yet have declined drastically to what they were several years ago. Also odd pairs breed elsewhere within our area. Larger post breeding flocks and also hard weather movements are recorded: 150 on Holden Wood on 14th October 1977, 310 at Grane 21st September 1978, 130 at Musbury on 6th July 1980. 500 at Haslingden Grane on 18th September 1983. 200 at Ogden Res on 15th August 1984. 30/40 at Kilnfields, Musbury on 7th September 1986. Large movements recorded over Calf Hey on January 10th 1987. 150 over Grane on movement 1730hrs on February 3rd 1987. 150 over Holden Wood Reservoir on 22nd September 1987. Present in large flocks at Holden Wood during January and March 1994. Breeding was confirmed at Grane during 1996 with at least 5 pairs. 120 birds present at Holden Wood on 21st July 1996 (ROC). Two pairs were back on terrritory at Holden Wood on 13th February 1998 (ROC).

KNOT ( Calidris canutus ) Probably one of the most significant records for the Grane was on the morning of 3rd November 2002 when a total of 36 of this species represented in 3 separate smaller parties passed over Stoney Rake during a period of 3 hours. The following day also provided a further larger party witnessed by Mavis Smith at Darwen. Obviously this now clarifies what has been suspected for years in relation to a diurnal trans-pennine movement.

GREY PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius) An early record of “one shot at Grane” (CKP) is subsequently discounted as lacking confirmation (Oakes & Battersby).

DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) Bred in recent years on Wet Moss-Bull Hill and Causeway Heights. Two pair on Oswaldtwistle Moor and one pair on Musbury Heights 1979. Bred at Haslingden Grane and Musbury Heights 1980. Bred on Haslingden and Oswaldtwistle Moors 1981. 2 pairs present on Haslingden Moor on 15th May 1983. Two pairs present on Haslingden Moor on 2nd June 1985. A cold weather movement record on 11th January 1987, one caught by cat at Musbury then rescued unharmned and released (NH). Many were recorded around this time within Rossendale. Seen on Haslingden Moor around mid-late April 1989(ROC). 2 pairs present on Haslingden Moor on 16th May 1991.

RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) A reeve was shot at the Snipe Holes on Haslingden Moor 2nd September 1889, another bird was shot near the same site on 16th August 1890 (KGS). One was seen on Haslingden Moor on 25th August 1991 (NB). Singles were seen on Haslingden Moor – a male on 30th August and a female on 3rd September 1993(NB).

JACK SNIPE (Lymnocryptes minimus) Recorded in Winter on the moorland pools and bogs (ROC). One on Musbury Heights 12th March 1972 (NB). One seen on Haslingden Moor 19th April 1989 (ROC). 2 seen at Thirteen Stone Hill on 30th October 1994 (ROC). One on Haslingden Moor on 9th April 1996 (ROC).

COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) Odd pairs breed at Grane and birds can be heard drumming during the breeding season over the Holden Wood Reservoir area. 15 at Grane on 5th September 1981. 74 flushed on Haslingden Moor on August 22nd 1987 and large numbers present into September 1987. Seen at Holden Wood Res on 3rd January 1989 (ROC). Bred on Oswaldtwistle Moor 1991. Present on Holden Vale Flash and Haslingden Moor during 1992. At least 12 were present on Haslingden Moor 31st January 1993 (ROC). Bred on Haslingden/Oswaldtwistle Moor during 1996. 20 on Haslingden Moor on 6th September 1996 (ROC). Present on Holden Wood and Haslingden Moor during breeding season 1998 and again large passage numbers seen on Haslingden and Oswaldtwistle Moors. 1 present Holden Wood Res Aug 8th-13th 2000

WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola) Bred in the area in 1967. One at Sunnybank-Alden 16th July 1971 (BD). One at Musbury on 9th April 1980 (ROC). One in Alden Wood 5th July 1981. A bird was present as late as 6th April 1985 at Haslingden Grane. One at Calf Hey 26th November 1986. One in Musbury Valley on 24th December 1986. One flushed on Tor Hill summit on lst February 1987. One on Oswaldtwistle Moor 2nd February 1988. The remains of a bird was recorded at Calf Hey on 29th January 1989- part eaten by a predator possibly a fox (ROC). Two birds present at Calf Hey on 9th and 16th February 1992 and also 15th March 1992 (ROC).Single birds were recorded from several sites within Grane during the early part of 1993. 3 seen at Heap Clough Plantation on 11th December 1994. One was seen above Calf Hey in the Fairy Glen area on 28th October 1998 (ROC).

BLACK TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) One on passage calling continuously over Haslingden Moor going W-E during May 1985.

WHIMBREL (Numenius minutus) One on Calf Hey Reservoir on April 25th 1987 (NB). 3 birds were reported flying North over Grane on 2nd May 1989 (ROC). One was on Haslingden Moor on 12th May 1990 (ROC). Every year passage birds East-West occurs through the Grane Valley during the third week of August usually in small parties and calling. One heard calling whilst in flight over Haslingden Moor on 14th May 1992.

CURLEW (Numenius arquata) Breeds in our areas with up to six pairs. The Grane birds usually arrive back on their breeding grounds by the 2nd week in March and usually depart during the first week of July. Early birds have been known to arrive in Mid February. 11 at Alden on 15th July 1981. 15 on Haslingden Moor August 22nd 1987 obviously passage birds. Bred on Haslingden/Oswaldtwistle Moors during 1994. Present on Haslingden Moor and Musbury Heights during the breeding season 1998..

REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) From earlier years, there are records of “wintering flocks” (CKP). Two pairs bred on Wet Moss, Bull Hill in 1975 (NB). One present on Calf Hey 22nd August 1977, One pair bred in Grane during 1980. Two pairs bred on Haslingden Moor and two pairs on Holden Wood Reservoir during 1982. Three seen on Haslingden Moor on 15th May 1983. Two at Ogden Reservoir 6th July 1984. Seen on Haslingden Moor on 12th May 1985. On 4th June 1985 a pair in the Musbury Valley. A single returned to Grane on 15th April and present up to 12th June 1986. One over Ogden E-W April 14th 1987. One on Calf Hey April 21st 1987. One on Haslingden Moor on April 18th 1987. One over Ogden 3rd May and One on Calf Hey 9th August 1987. At least three pairs nested within the Grane during 1989 (ROC).A pair at Grane 3rd March, 2 at Holden Vale on 30th March 1990. One found dead with a flesh wound on Haslingden Moor on 11th May 1990 (ROC). Seen at Holden Vale 3rd March 1991 with a continued presence up to 16th June 1991. Singles were seen at Calf Hey on 18th June and one on 9th November 1995 (ROC). One on Holden Wood 19th May 1996.

GREENSHANK (Tringe nebularia) There are earlier records of Autumn passage birds (Oakes). One was recorded on Spring passage 14th May 1978 (ROC). One on Holden Wood Reservoir on 5th September 1981, 2 on Ogden Reservoir 6th July 1984, One on Calf Hey Res July 24th-27th 1987. One seen at Ogden Reservoir on 30th and 31st August and again on 8th September 1995 (ROC).

GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringe ochropus) One on Calf Hey Reservoir July 27th 1987. One on Calf Hey Res August 9th to 16th 1987 – reservoir almost completely drained for valve repairs. One was at Holden Vale on 21st May 1989 and one on Calf Hey on 2nd June 1989 (ROC). One seen at Holden Wood Res on 19th September 1992. One seen at Holden Wood on 28th and 29th October 1995. On 10th May 1996 one alighted at Ogden Reservoir for about 10 minutes before flying off (ROC).

WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) One present on Holden Wood Reservoir between 10th to 14th September 2003.

COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) Breeds annually on most if not all three reservoirs also on Holden Vale Flash. Yet in more recent years the numbers of pairs of breeders has declined, The birds usually arrive back during the last two weeks of April. A pair with 3 chicks Ogden Reservoir 10th August 1978. Bred at Calf Hey Res 19th June 1979. Bred on all reservoirs during 1980. One bird returned to Holden Vale Flash on 2nd May 1991 (ROC). Present at Holden Vale Flash and Calf Hey during 1992/1993/1994. Present on all reservoirs during 1995 and 1996. Birds were seen in 1997 during April, May and June- August- Breeding at Holden Wood is thought to have failed due to the prescence of Mink. It is thought this species bred at Ogden Reservoir during 1998. Present on Calf Hey during 2003 my last was seen on 16th Aug 2003 which was a single bird most probably of transient.

BLACK HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus) In 1937 four pairs nested near Bull Hill on Holcombe Moor and have continued to do somewhat sporadically since, but never more than a few pairs. In the Spring of 1947 about a dozen pairs bred there, but in 1948 there was a remarkable increase. On May 10th along with Mr. K. Hargreaves, I visited this nesting haunt, and we were amazed to find about 1000 of these gulls occupying territory stretching from a point near Tor Hill, Helmshore, across the moor towards Edgeworth. On the moors near Helmshore we found about 500 gulls occupying a stretch of dry moor and in less than half an hour found about 200 nest, some containing eggs, others showing signs of having been systematically robbed by egg collectors – The Birds and Mammals of Bury by MB Horam 1949). Up to 1000 roosting on Ogden Reservoir in December 1963, although the roost was abandoned with the reservoirs becoming frozen over (EGD). 250 on ice covered Ogden on 7th March 1986. 300 roosting on Ogden February 3rd 1987. The species can be seen daily at Grane or passing through overhead outside of the breeding season. 200 at Holden Wood Reservoir on 14th February 1993 (ROC). 200 on Holden Wood on 19th February 1995 (ROC). 120 on Holden Wood Reservoir on 21st July 1996 (ROC).

COMMON GULL (Larus canus) Odd birds seen each year, usually in company with Black Headed Gulls. 10 present at Grane 16th March 1980. 5 present with BHG’s 23rd July 1982. 5 on Ogden Reservoir 4th February 1987. 4 on Holden Wood Res 4th March 1987. There were 10 birds on Holden Wood on 19th February 1995 (ROC).

LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus) 75 at Grane 23rd June 1977. 11 on Ogden 19th February 1987. Many can be seen going over Grane in the evenings heading to their roost after a days scavaging on the local tips. So often mistaken from a distance as Geese – because of their tight ‘V’ formation grouping.

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus) Up to 800 were roosting at Grane in December 1963 (EGD), and 900 on 29th December 1968 (EW). 29 over Grane 26th December 1986. 33 over Calf Hey (E-W) on January 8th 1987. Many can be seen going over Grane in the evenings heading to their roost after a days scavaging on the local tips.

GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL (Larus marinus) One on Haslingden Grane 15th January 1977, single birds present mid Dec 1980. 9 on Ogden 7th March 1986. 7 on Ogden 26th December 1986. 17 on Ogden January 16th 1987. 26 were at Holden Wood Res on 19th December 1991 (ROC). 5 on Holden Wood on 6th February 1992. 7 on Holden Wood on 12th January 1997 (ROC).

COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) One bird at Ogden Reservoir on 10th October 1976.

BLACK TERN (Chlidonias niger) An immature was present at Holden Wood Reservoir on 11th September 1993 (ROC).

STOCK DOVE (Columba oenas) Two to Three pair are recorded annually during the breeding season, usually Musbury Tor, Hutch Bank or Heap Clough. Six birds at a quarry in Grane on 21st April 1984. There were 10 birds at Heap Clough on 6th February 1989 (ROC). Present at Hutch Bank Quarry and Heap Clough during 1997.

WOODPIGEON (Columba palumbus) Regular breeding status within Grane. 52 in Ogden plantation on 4th March 1986. 55 flying NW over Grane on 15th November 1986. 80-100 birds at Calf Hey on 19th Jan 1991. 50 at Calf Hey on 10th December 1995.During frosty spells in early to mid November thousands of birds pass through on their Southerly migrations heading South down the East side of Hutch Bank Quarry.

COLLARED DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) One at Holden Wood Reservoir on February 2lst 1987 (IB). This species is gradually colonizing several areas on the boundaries of Grane 1999.

TURTLE DOVE (Steptopelia turtur) One was heard at Fairy Glen, Grane on 22nd May 1995 (B.Bell)

RING-NECKED PARAKEET (Psittacula krameri) One was at Holden Wood Res on 13th December 1992 (ROC).

CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus) Arrives back on territory during last week in April or first week in May. We generally have two to three breeding pairs in our area and the Meadow Pipit is the prime host. An adult meadow pipit was seen feeding a full grown chick at Haslingden Grane in June 1979. A juvenile being fed by Meadow pipits on 8th July 1985. Cuckoo being constantly mobbed and harrassed by Meadow Pipits on 17th May 1986 at side of Ogden Reservoir. A fully grown chick being fed by Meadow Pipits at Calf Hey on 29th July 1987. Arrived back to Grane lst May 1990. Calling at Grane 27th April 1991. One calling at Musbury on lst May 1992 and one on several occasions calling from Calf Hey during June 1992 (ROC). Heard calling in both Musbury and Grane during 1993. Calling males were heard at Musbury on 29th April 1994. Heard calling from Musbury and Calf Hey during 1995 and 1996 and 1997, 1998.

BARN OWL (Tyto alba) A record in June 1964. During July 1984 there were several reports of two juveniles in woods at Grane.

LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua) Established in the Grane Area, with breeding birds at Priestentax, Hutch Bank, Musbury Valley, Musbury Heights and Alden – 1987. A pair nested in Musbury and later in the year one seen at Holden Vale on 28th September 1992 and Musbury Tor in December 1992 (ROC).Present Musbury and Alden during 1997and 1998.

TAWNY OWL (Strix aluco) Breeding occurs at several localities throughout Grane. Breeding confirmed at Calf Hey and Musbury during 1992.

LONG EARED OWL (Asio otus) A pair bred at Grane in 1983. One seen at Calf Hey on January 31st 1987. One flushed at Calf Hey 19th September 1987 (RK). Present during 1990. Seen most years during the nineties.

SHORT EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) In the 1950’s the species “ was frequently seen during the Winter on the moors at Haslingden Grane where the species breeds or has bred” (Oakes). More recently there are a few records of birds on passage, a male displaying in June 1964. A pair near Alden Woods 22nd April 1971 (BD). One on Oswaldtwistle Moor 14th March 1973 (NB). A bird at Musbury Tor on 8th April 1977. I found fresh pellets on Haslingden Moor in May 1985.

NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus europaeus) Formerly bred in the area, up to at least 1917 when it was described as “not infrequent” (CKP).

SWIFT (Apus apus) The species hunts over Grane daily and breeds nearby mainly on the three storey old factories. More recently the species has started building nest on two storey buildings also. They usually arrive back around the 1st May and return by the second week in August.

KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) One at Waterside, Grane on 27th July 1972 (BD). One at Grane on 9th March 1978. One on Calf Hey Reservoir in 1985. One at Holden Wood Reservoir on 27th September 1986. Present at the Grane Reservoirs on 3rd and 9th August and also during October and November 1998(ROC) Seen regular on the Swinnell and Ogden and probable breeding does occur- 1999.

WRYNECK (Jynx torquilla) A bird was present on Oswaldtiwstle Moor on 13th March 1970 (Lancashire Bird Report).

GREEN WOODPECKER (Picus viridis) One calling at Calf Hey Reservoir on 17th March and one at Alden on 10th June 1990 (ROC). A pair was seen in Musbury Valley where birds were recorded throughout the year 1993 (ROC). I have seen this species present at Heap Clough during the mid-nineties. One was seen at Musbury on 30th March 1997 (ROC).

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dendropcopos major) Present during breeding season at Grane during 1985. One at Calf Hey 8th and 10th November 1986. Seen during breeding season 1997 at Alden and Musbury, also Wintering at Calf Hey and Holden Wood. Regular breeder throughout the area. Probably numbers swelled during the Winter months by visiting migrants – 1990’s.

SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) Returns from coast usually the last week in January or the first week in February. Many pairs breed on the moorland areas. Adverse weather on the Moors pre breeding will bring this species to lower ground for food and usually in quite large flocks. During the 90’s especially large numbers have been recorded passing overhead during the Winter migrations, usually heading West towards the coast.

SAND MARTIN (Riparia riparia) Bred at Ogden Reservoir apparently for the first time in 1917 and again in 1918 and 1919 (CKP). One feeding over the Ogden Reservoir for two hours on April 6th 1987. 2 at Holden Wood Reservoir on 11th April 1994 (ROC). One on Spring passage over Holden Wood on 16th April 1995 and two flew east on Autumn passage on 8th October 1995 (ROC). One seen flying over Holden Wood on 21st April 1996 (ROC). Single birds were seen over Holden Wood on 11th May 1997 (ROC).

SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) Breeds regularly in farm buildings within the Grane Area. Usually arrives back from Africa during md-April and leaves us the first or second weeks in October. One pair in Grane recorded to have three broods which is rare – Earlier broods seen to help parent birds feed later broods. Late return records include a pair flying south high up over Holden Wood on 11th October 1998 (ROC). A late bird was seen feeding at Grane on November 4th 2000 (AJ).

HOUSE MARTIN (Delichon urbica) Many are usually seen annually feeding low over the Holden Wood Reservoir. Usual return date is the third week in April and the last sightings generally early October. On May 3lst 1987 three seen to land on Holden Vale Flash collecting paper/mud composition obviously for nest building (though rather late date ?), A very heavy movement over Musbury on 18th September 1989 (ROC).

TREE PIPIT (Anthus trivialis) 3-4 males singing at Haslingden Grane 14th and 17th May 1978. Birds also present during 1979. A male in full display at Grane on 22nd May 1982. A male in song at Grane from 4th July 1983. Two males at Grane 1st July 1984. 3 pairs present at Calf Hey by 6th June 1986. One at Grane on April 24th 1987. 2 birds were heard in song at Calf Hey between 27th April to 9th June 1991 (ROC). Two pairs present at Calf Hey from Mid May 1992. At least one pair nested at Grane during 1993. Present at Grane during 1994. Two were present at Holden Wood on 12th June 1996 (ROC). Two pairs thought to have bred during 1988 with one pair at Calf Hey and another pair seen at Middlebank-Musbury on 18th May and again on the 1st June 1998 (ROC).

MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis) A adult feeding a young Cuckoo at Grane late June 1979. 60 birds flocked at Huch Bank Quarry on 6th April 1986. 30 on slag heaps at Heap Clough on 7th February 1987. 50 at Priestentax on 14th February 1987. A adult feeding juvenile Cuckoo at Calf Hey on 29th July 1987. Over 60 plus seen around the Calf Hey Res and many overhead on passage early October 1987. The Spring and especially the autumn passage clearly involves low thousands crossing over the Grane – probably to and from their wintering grounds – possibly the Dee marshes and further South.

YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava) Has bred near Holden Wood Reservoir (ROC). One flew over Hutch Bank Quarry on 27th August 1990 (ROC).

GREY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) Has bred near Holden Wood Reservoir during 1967. Between 70 and 100 birds had a overnight roost at Calf Hey on 15th August 1979- an extremely interesting record. A nest with 5 young at Musbury in 1985. Present at Holden Vale and Holden Wood during breeding season 1994 (ROC). Regular large passage movements occur through Grane the second and third weeks in August.

PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba) Breeds in ruins and walls around the Grane Area. Nest with young 3rd August 1978, young seen being fed by adults 8th and 11th June 1979. Four of the subspecies White Wagtail seen at Great House Experimental Farm on 19th April 1982. Grane offers large movements of this species from the second week in August.

WAXWING (Bombycilla garrulus)

DIPPER (Cinclus cinclus) One at Calf Hey during 1985. Bred regular at Musbury up until 1986. Regular sightings at Sunnybank. After the breeding season there were 4 on Musbury Brook on 28th August 1996 (ROC).5 young were reared from a nest in an artificial site at Holden Wood during 1998.

WREN (Troglodytes troglodytes) A numerous and regular breeder throughout Grane. 1979 produced low breeding success possibly on account of severe winter of 1978.

DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis) Common and widespread breeder at Grane. I have seen and heard many of this species drop in at first light during Autumn migrations.

ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula) Breeds at several sites within Grane.

COMMON REDSTART (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) A estimate of three pairs may breed within the true Grane. A family party seen at Calf Hey on 16th July 1977 (ROC). 3 pairs bred 2nd July 1979. A Male was seen at Haslingden Grane on 26th May and 17th June 1979. One pair present Haslingden Grane 1985. A pair present at Heap Clough May 5th 1986. A male present on Calf Hey 6th May 1986. A pair present at plantings side of Haslingden Moor on 6th May 1987. During the early nineties I found a bird which had been freshly killed and plucked at a Sparrowhawk plucking post near to the Ogden Res – The bird had probably only arrived back in this Country within days.Two males were in song at Calf Hey but there were no further indications of nesting on 10th June 1989 (ROC). Present in Alden and Musbury during 1990. Bred at Grane during 1991. One singing 17th May 1992 at Calf Hey (ROC). One in song at Calf Hey during May 1993. At Musbury 2 males were singing on 4th May and also one on the 24th May 1995 (ROC). A singing male recorded from Musbury on 12th May 1996 (ROC). A male was seen at Calf Hey on 13th May 1998 (ROC).

WHINCHAT (Saxicola rubetra) Two at Musbury on 15th May 1981. One at Hutch Bank 4th June 1981. A male and female calling at Ogden Reservoir on 5th May 1986. Two males present at Alden 23rd April 1984. Males early May 1985 in Musbury. A male was in song at Grane on 27th May 1989 (ROC). A pair on gorse bushes at Great House, Alden could have been a breeding pair (1998).

STONECHAT (Saxicola torquata) Two pairs present at Alden Ratchers on 26th June 1977 (ROC). Bred at Holcolme 29th May 1978. A female was present at Holden Wood Reservoir on 15th October 1994 (ROC). One was at Holden Wood on 8th November 1998 (ROC).

WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe) A regular breeder at Musbury, Hutch Bank, Heap Clough, Deep Clough and Musbury Heights. They usually are one of the first migrants to return during the last week in March or lst week in April and depart around mid-September. 4 immature birds on Haslingden Moor on 19th September 1993. 7on Haslingden Moor on 7th September 1996 (ROC). Greenland Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe leucorrhoa) Up to 9 of this rare species were present on Oswaldtwistle Moor during passage from April 30th to 4th May 1987. 5 birds on Haslingden Moor 5th May 1990 (ROC).

RING OUZEL (Turdos torquatus) A pair was seen at Alden on 3rd and 10th June 1979 and nearby young were suspected. A single juvenile was seen at Musbury on 20th October 1979. One on 9th April 1980 in Musbury Valley. A pair at Alden Ratchers 15th May 1981. A male at Grane 21st April 1984. A male present at Musbury April 1985. A male calling at Alden Ratchers on 27th April 1986, A male was singing at Musbury on 24th April and one was near Calf Hey on 29th April 1990 (ROC). A female was seen at Musbury on 2nd May 1994 and one on passage feeding with Mistle Thrushes below Musbury Tor on 11th October 1994 (ROC). One seen at Musbury Tor on 6th April 1995 (ROC). A male was seen at Musbury on 13th April 1996 (ROC). Seen again at Musbury Tor and Alden during 1997 (JR).

BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) Resident and breeding throughout the Grane Area. Numbers increase at Calf Hey from November onwards indicating that the area probably accomodates more Northerly wintering birds. 15 grouped in the Alden Valley on 3rd November 1980 and 10 grouped near car park at Calf Hey on 6th November 1986. It is interesting that most grouped birds seem in the majority to be males. Many overhead on passage each winter.

FIELDFARE (Turdus pilaris) 100 in Alden Valley 5th Jan 1981. 70 in Alden Valley 27th Jan 1981. 150 in Alden Valley 7th Feb 1981. 3 at Grane 12th September 1981 (very early!!) Two to three hundred in fields near Musbury Tor on 6th and 8th April 1982. 50 at Alden Lodge on 28th March 1984. A very interesting sighting was 6 birds present in Musbury during July and a party of 6 birds which included 2 juveniles at the same site on 7th September 1986. 1000 plus on November 2nd 1986 in various large and small parties went over Calf Hey E-W on their regular migration movement which went on for three days and probably accounted for many thousands of birds. 21 in field opposite Duke of Wellington 5th February 1987. Found head only of this species on Haslingden Moor on February 28th 1987, probably the work of a Peregrine attack. On 18th October 1992 a huge flock of at least 1000 birds was seen circling over Grane (ROC). 200 seen at Holden Wood on 23rd December 1995.250 at Musbury on 25th November 1996. Though many birds are seen on their early outward Winter migration, usually thousands, very few are ever witnessed on their return passage- its suspected that the majority go back via an alternative route. April 19th 2000- 4 birds were present near the Information Centre- quite late.

SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos) Present all year in the area and a regular though probably declining breeding bird within our area. One was heard in song at Holden Wood on lst December 1991 (ROC). Many are heard and seen on Winter migration E-W from Mid October onwards. Bred at Holden Wood and Calf Hey during 1992.

REDWING (Turdus iliacus) 35/40 flying over Grane on 12th October 1980 (ROC). One at Musbury 8th April 1982. Large mass winter movements came through the Grane Valley during the 2nd and 3rd and 4th November 1986 together with Fieldfare, this movement must have involved thousands of birds. The outward Winter movements through Grane hold similar status during the nineties. Probably the best and most visited feeding area for this species is Alden and Musbury.

MISTLE THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus) 20 plus on 22nd September 1979, and 12 on 29th September 1979 (ROC). 30 at Kilnfields, Musbury on 7th October 1986. 14 birds in wooded area of Holden Wood Reservoir and 30 plus at Kilnfields, Musbury on July 2nd 1987.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Locusbella naevia) A bird present at Grane on 24th May 1978 (ROC). A reeling male at Grane during June and July 1987. (NB & RK). One was heard at Grane during Spring 1994 (ROC). One on Hoddlesden Moss on 22nd April 1996 (NB). 3 Birds were heard reeling at Clough area (Road End) of Stoney Rake on 8th August 2000, though were not heard again on subsequent visits. I heard a bird reeling on the morning of 12th July 2003 from the Information Centre at Grane. Birds also present at top end of Holden Wood Reservoir mid July 2003 (JR & NB).

SEDGE WARBLER (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) Song heard at Holden Vale Flash 1992 (NB). A bird was seen at Holden Vale on 17th July 1994. 2 on passage at Holden Vale on 13th October 1996 (ROC). One present at Holden Vale on 3rd and 8th June 1997 (ROC). A male was in song at Holden Wood on 14th June 1998, and one possibly two birds were present there on 10th July (ROC). Birds present at Holden Wood during July 2003 (JR)

WHITETHROAT (Sylvia communis) On 21st July 1996 there were 2 at Holden Vale (ROC). One was at Holden Vale on 9th May 1997 and a pair later nested successfully.

GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia borin) One on 28th May 1978 (ROC). 3 at Hog Lowe Clough on 23th May 1979 (ROC). A male was in song near Calf Hey on 28th May 1990.

BLACKCAP (Sylvia atrcapilla) Occasional records (ROC). Two birds were feeding on Rowans at Calf Hey on 15th October 1992 (ROC). A singing male was heard from Holden Wood on 2nd July 1994 (ROC). A male was in song at Calf Hey on 17th and 18th May 1998

WOOD WARBLER (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) Nesting took place at Calf Hey during 1991 (ROC).

CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita) One bird seen and calling and one bird return calling at Calf Hey House on April 27th 1987. On 30th March 1990 song was heard at Calf Hey (ROC)..One present at Calf Hey on 7th July 1991 (ROC). A late bird was calling from around the Clough Head Information Centre on 19th October 1997.

WILLOW WARBLER (Phlloscopus trochilus) Breeds at Grane in small numbers probably up to 5 pairs in Grane proper and numerous pairs in other parts. Nest with 6 eggs at Calf Hey on 5th June 1980 and saw fledgelings on 15th June 1980. Returns to Grane from about mid April. Status if anything increasing. 3 calling at Information Centre on Apil 19th 2000. First sighting during 2002 was at the Grane Information Centre Car-Park.

GOLDCREST (Reguls regulus) Common and regular breeder at Grane. Very large swell in numbers reported at Calf Hey on September 26th 1987 also this ties in with other parts to show a large movement of birds throughout the Area. Numbers suffer greatly in harsh Winters.

FIRECREST (Reguls ignicapillus) A very rare passage bird seen at Grane on 13th September 1986 (NB).

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata) At Waterside, Grane on 27th July 1972 (BD). Up to three pairs usually breed at Calf Hey and others within our Area. Birds seen at Musbury in 1981. A single bird in hawthorns at Kilnfields, Musbury on September 19th 1986. Party of 12 at Calf Hey in September 1987 (CP). Bred at Calf Hey 1992. A family party was at Calf Hey during August and September 1995. A party of 4 birds seen in trees at bottom end of Stoney Rake on 12th August 2000.

PIED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula hypoleuca) Two males on 24th April 1943 (Oakes). One Male at Haslingden Grane on 16th and 24th May and 14th June 1981 (ROC). On 19th May 1989 a male was visiting a nest-box at Grane (ROC). Two birds were in song on 15th and 28th May 1990. A nest built in one of the nestboxes at Grane had 6 eggs on 1st June, 4 young hatched and were later ringed on 23rd June 1990 (ROC). Bred in the nestboxes at Grane during 1991. A male was present at Calf Hey on 17th May 1998 (ROC).

LONG TAILED TIT (Aegithalos caudatus) Seen in Alden Woods 23rd November 1972 (BD). Seen on old railway site near Camms during mid-nineties (NB). On 21st August 1993 one or more family groups were present along the old railway at Holden Vale (ROC). Small parties seen regular in Sunnybank during April 1999.

MARSH TIT (Parus palustris) One was present at Calf Hey on 25th May 1997 (ROC).

WILLOW TIT (Parus montanus) One was seen at Calf Hey in January 1995 (ROC).

COAL TIT (Parus ater) Resident breeder and in large numbers at Grane. 20/30 grouped on Ogden Plantation on August 10th 1987. Extra large numbers recorded around Calf Hey on October 3rd 1987 indicating a large passage movement.

BLUE TIT (Parus caeruleus) Resident and common breeder at Grane. Very large flocks recorded at Grane during September 1986. Nestbox scheme around the Calf Hey area as been going on now since the late 80’s and into the 90’s with great success. Early BTO ringing program carried out by Craig Bell which showed high clutches.

GREAT TIT (Parus major) Resident and common breeder at Grane. Nestbox scheme around the Calf Hey area been going on now since the late 80’s and into the 90’s with great success.

NUTHATCH (Sitta europea) One record of one at Sunnybank-Alden, the area where they have nested in previous years with no further information on nesting-1995 (ROC). Present at Sunnybank during April 1999.

TREECREEPER (Certhia familiaris) Several recorded and breeding annually around the Grane. Bred in fishing hut at side of Ogden in 1984. Witnessed again nesting under the Fishing hut in 1995 and again in 1997. Still present in good numbers in the Grane and recently seen in Sunnybank- 1999.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE (Lanius excubitor) Two were seen at Grane on 24th and 25th February 1998 by Dr. P. Rishton.

JAY Garrulus glandarius) One in Alden Woods 23rd November 1972 (BD). Recorded at Calf Hey in 1985 and a pair recorded during the breeding season at Calf Hey 1986. During the nineties the species has become firmly established within most areas of our report.

MAGPIE (Pica pica) A resident and breeder throughout Grane. Outside of breeding season numbers can swell and reular counts up to 30 birds are not unusual especially at Heap Clough. The swell results in birds travelling over the moor area crossing from Bently Moss and Pickup Bank. Status increasing.

JACKDAW (Corvus monedula) 20/30 on 12th October 1980. 46 flying overhead of Calf Hey 7th February 1987. During late October 1998 I witnessed numerous birds travelling West in medium parties obviously on East to West outward winter migration – this migration pattern was not recorded previously.

ROOK (Corvus corax) Two birds where seen near Deep Clough, Grane on 4th October 1986.

CARRION CROW (Corvus corone corone) Established in the Grane area since the fifties. 500 seen at the Calf Hey roost during December 1992 (ROC). About 400 roosted above Calf Hey during the Winter of 1996.

RAVEN (Corvus corax) On 2nd September 1996 two birds were seen flying from Holcombe Moor into Alden (ROC). A single bird was present with Crows on Musbury Tor 3rd September and again on 12th October 1998 (JR). A bird was seen soaring above Deep Clough and heard “konking” as it later flew past the Information Centre heading in the Pickup Bank direction 12th July 2003.

STARLING (Sturnus vulgaria) During late May and early June a flock consisting mainly of Juvenile birds numbering up to 300 was seen in the Musbury Valley. Large post breeding flocks again of juvenile birds can be seen top end of Calf Hey during June. Thousands travel East to West over the Grane during late October and early November on their outward winter migrations from the Scandinavias etc.

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) Common and regular breeder at Grane wherever domestic properties are situated.

TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) One at Grane 10th July 1977. Two were feeding young at Grane on 17th June 1979. One male in full display was seen at Grane 22nd May 1982. A male in song at Grane on 4th July 1983. A single bird at Grane on 19th August 1985. Three near Ogden reservoir on 9th March 1986. The species did breed regular within our area up until the mid nineties- though unfortunately there have been no breeding records in the late nineties.

CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs) Fairly common resident breeding species at Grane. Occasionally large flocks of up to 30 birds are seen. Flock of 20 on 12th March 1986 at Heap Clough plantings. 20 at Calf Hey 15th October 1986. 50 on Beech trees at Musbury during March 1996 (ROC). Thousands travel east-west on their outward winter migration – October and November over the Valley.

BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifringilla) Generally seen in close association with Chaffinch. One on 23rd February 1917 (CKP). Three with Chaffinch at Calf Hey on 17th October 1982. One with Chaffinch at Calf Hey on 12th October 1986. Four at Calf Hey 16th October 1986. One at Calf Hey on 4th November 1986. Flocks of 40 to 80 moving west over Grane on 14th and 18th October 1992 (ROC).36 at Musbury on 20th December 1996 (ROC). Regular winter visitor at Grane. Status unchanged, many seen on migration over the Valley during October and November.

GREENFINCH (Carduelis chloris) One pair on Grane Road above Holden Wood Reservoir on 15th March 1979. Six in field with House Sparrows at side of Holden Wood Reservoir. Four on Holcombe Road on March 12th 1987. Numerous pass overhead during the late Winter months on their Westerley migration.Status during the nineties – increasing.

GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis) Two moving South on 10th November 1957 (EW). Twelve at Grane on 7th April 1980. 20 at Calf Hey on 3rd May 1986 with odd birds throughout year. One near Ogden on December 1st 1986. Seven near Calf Hey House on April 20th 1987. 13 at Calf Hey House May 1st 1987. Status within Grane, increasing during the nineties.

SISKIN (Carduelis spinus) A flock of twenty plus was in Fairy Glen on 6th March 1978 (ROC). Two at Haslingden Grane on 7th April 1980. Two at Grane on 22nd February 1981. Four at Calf Hey on 7th February 1987. A pair was seen at Calf Hey on 19th May 1989 (ROC). A flock of about 40 birds was present at Grane on 24th December building up to 52 at Calf Hey on 31st December 1990 (ROC). A bird recorded at Grane on 19th June 1991 is thought to have bred. Breeding was confirmed during 1992 (NB). Birds seen during March and November 1993. 50 at Grane on 13th February 1994. 24 recorded at Musbury on 17th December 1996 (ROC). It is thought that 2-3 pairs bred at Grane during 1998.

LINNET (Carduelis cannabina) Breeding of this species took place at Musbury with fledged young seen on 19th June 1980. A late record of this species in the Alden Valley on 3rd November 1980. Present at Alden Ratchers and Musbury 1981. A party near Heap Clough plantings 30th December 1985. Two pairs in gorse at Heap Clough on 30th May 1986. Breeding probably took place at Holden Vale Flash during 1992. Present during the late Winter months 1995 at Musbury and Grane. 100 at Grane on 8th December 1996 (ROC). A flock of 100 birds were seen at Musbury Brook on 14th April 1998.

TWITE (Carduelis flavirostris) Ten pairs nested on Holcombe Moor in 1968 (NB). Three nest where found on Haslingden and Oswaldtwistle Moor on 17th June 1979. Breeding took place on Oswaldtwistle Moor with 3 nest found 25th May, two of these subsequently predated 1980. Present during breeding season at Alden Ratchers 1983. Present during breeding season on Haslingden Moor 1985. Approximately 12 in twos and threes on Haslingden & Oswaldtwistle Moor April 27th 1987. 3 pairs were flying over Haslingden Moor on 4th May 1990. 2 family groups were seen at Hutch Bank on 11th July 1992 (ROC). Flock of 25 present at Ogden on 29th September 1995 (ROC). 15 at Musbury Tor on 22nd March 1997 (ROC). A flock of 20 was present in the Musbury area from 4th to 16th December 1998 (JR). During the nineties this species has declined drastically – there are probably no breeding pairs within our area 1999.

REDPOLL (Carduelis flammea) Twenty five feeding on Alder in Alden Valley on 28th November 1972 (BD). Reported as numerous at Grane during 1978. Bred at Grane 1979. One at Grane on 17th April 1983. Seen regular at Grane during 1984. Single figure flocks were reported in Grane during March 1985. Ten in conifers at Calf Hey House April 24th 1987.Flocks of 10 and 20 were seen in Holden Vale during January 1997 (ROC). Seen and heard regular throughout the year at Grane – 1999.

CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra) Present at Grane during 1986 and early 1987 and breeding has probably taken place. Birds seen with nesting material in bill, also post breeding parties had juveniles present with them. Largest party reported 24 birds at Calf Hey on 7th June 1986. Six at Calf Hey on January 6th 1987. Birds were present at Grane during January and February 1989 with about 10 present on the 5th February (ROC). A flock of 10 birds was seen in Heap Clough Planting on 23th July 1990. 19 at Calf Hey on 11th November 1990. During 1992 this species bred at Grane (NB). A pair had returned to last years nest site at Calf Hey by 14th March 1993 and the female was seen carrying nesting material but there were no further developments (ROC). 2 were heard calling at Calf Hey on 3rd and 9th July 1994. 7 pairs attempted breeding, 4 pairs confirmed at Grane 1995 (ROC). They frequent our area on a spasmodic regular basis dependant on the maturity of the pine cones. Odd years we get greater influxes probably from the Scandinavias. It is believed that our so called regulars combine the areas of Entwistle, Wayoh and other nearby areas within their territories. At least 3 pairs bred at Grane during 1998 (ROC). Present during the winter of 2008, seen most mornings in small flocks whilst vismig watching.

BULLFINCH (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) Six at Grane on 21st July 1978. One in field near Duke of Wellington on 28th July 1978. A female at Calf Hey 5th November 1986. A male in Fairy Glen 7th December 1986. Two at Calf Hey on 10th October 1987. A male was present at Holden Vale on 21st March 1993 (ROC). Present during March 1997 with a pair at Holden Vale and also a pair at Calf Hey (ROC). Present in Sunnybank and probably old railway track areas. Status during nineties unchanged.

HAWFINCH (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) A single seen at Grane thought to be of this species on 10th July 1977.

SNOW BUNTING (Plectrophenax nivalis) Recorded fairly frequently on moor in Winter (O&B). Birds on Musbury Heights on 24th February 1971 (ROC). Eight seen behind Musbury Tor on 15th and 18th November 1980 (NB). One at Rushy Hill on 2nd February 1988.

REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus) A breeder at Haslingden Grane and Musbury. One male in song on Holden Wood Reservoir on 18th March 1986. One female on Holden Wood Reservoir on January 20th 1987. Bred at Holden Wood Reservoir during 1987. A dead juvenile found at side of road near Clough Head on June 18th 1987. This species was said to be common in rushy parts of the Haslingden and Oswaldtwistle Moors where a nest with 5 young was found on 25th May 1989. Bred on Haslingden Moor 1991. Bred on Holden Wood Flash, Holden Vale Reservoir and Haslingden Moor 1994. Bred on Holden Vale during 1996 (ROC). The species was again present at Holden Wood during the 1998 breeding season. Bred in fields rear of Clough Head Inf Centre in 2002 and 2003.

FURTHER RECORDS WOULD BE VERY WELCOME:-
Bryan Yorke, 9 Glebe Close, Burton In Kendal LA6 1PL tel: 01524782792 or mobile: 07723934759 (Em: bryan.yorke@sky.com

GRANE’S BUTTERFLIES (Records begin from the millenium)

WALL BROWN A single seen feeding amongst the spent thistle near too and on the West side of the Hartley House Planting area of Calf Hey on 16th Aug 2003.

MEADOW BROWN Probably the commonest and most widespread butterfly of all and familiar throughout Grane.

PEACOCK Regularly seen anywhere along the Western side of Calf Hey. I have witnessed specimens from April onwards, and my last sighting of the year was on August 16th (2003). Numerous July 26th 2006 – Top of Calf Hey Res.

PAINTED LADY Seen near too Hartley House Planting, splayed out on the floor, 16th Aug 2003 – this seems to be one of those years where Painted Ladies have been seen everywhere.

SMALL TORTOISESHELL Common Throughout Grane.

SMALL COPPER I have noticed a small colony of this species during the late 90s and into the millenium at the small ruin at Higher Doles on the sides of the Haslingden Moor. A single near Top O'th Knoll pathway 31st Aug 2008

SMALL BLUE It has been reported to me that populations are present near thet Holden Wood reservoir and also at the late Holden Vale Flash area.

RED ADMIRAL Quite common throughout Grane, my latest sighting of the year for this species over the many years of watching has been on November 2nd during the 1980s. Numerous July 26th 2006 – Top of Calf Hey Res.

GREEN HAIRSTREAK First noted this species western flank of Calf Hey during April 2002. During that same year I also noted large colonies at another site on the sides of Musbury Heights feeding on the leaves of the Crowberry.

GREEN VEINED WHITE Common

ORANGE TIP Common

LARGE WHITE Common

COMMA A couple of sightings of very different butterflies where seen feeding on Thistle at the top end of the Calf Hey Reservoir on July 26th 2006.

GATEKEEPER or Hedge Brown. Several of this species where feeding on Thistle at the top end of the Calf Hey Reservoir on July 26th 2006. And a new colony of at least 20 at rear of Top O'th Knoll Planting closeby the wood mushroom sculptures, with some also along the pathway in front of Top O'th Knoll - August 10th 2008.

Top O'th' Slate - History and Nature Records Etc.

2011-05-20T13:47:00.015+01:00

TOP O’TH’ SLATE - Title and History as I remember
I was always under the impression for some reason it was called “Top O’th’ Slate”, but recently checking my old 1911 ordnance survey it clearly shows it as “Top Of Slate”. And more recently since the “Slate” Land reclamation and the erection of the panopticon it’s being called “Top O Slate”, on both Information boards and online internet sites etc. So does this mean that there is no definitive title?

I’ll stick with “Top O’th’ Slate” because If I am not mistaken, this was the original name given on the early title deed, and again further exampled in the following historic proposed land sale ( year 1900):

( Valuable Brick Works and Stone Quarry for Sale as a going concern

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, by Mr. Ralph Greenwood, F.A.I., at the Commercial Hotel, Haslingden, on Wednesday, November 7th, 1900, at seven o’clock in the evening, subject to the general conditions of the Manchester Incorporated Law Association, and to such Special Conditions as shall be produced at the time of sale.
THE BRICK WORKS AND STONE QUARRY, situate at Top o’ th’ Slate, Haslingden, recently held by the New Haslingden Plastic Brick Co. Ltd., with the fixed and loose Brickmaking and Quarry Plant, comprising:-
ALL THOSE PLOTS OF LAND at Top o’ th’ Slate aforesaid, containing together 14 acres 39 perches, or thereabouts.
There are several hundred yards of valuable rock already bared, and the face of rock and slate combined is some 60 feet in depth.
This property is Copyhold of the Manor of Accrington Old Hold, and is subject to the ordinary copyhold incidents and nominal Lord’s rent. The mineral rights are claimed by the Lords of the said Manor, and are now enjoyed by arrangement with them or their lessees, a small Annual Sum being paid therefore, 2 Large Water Reservoirs, holding capacity 200,000 and 100,000 gallons respectively).
It was during the 1950’s when I used to occasionally go and play at the old Top O’th’ Slate Quarry, and at that time it had long ceased to operate has a “quarry” and was derelict to be used at a later date as a commercial/industrial tip, and even later as a tip for highway waste and composting operations for Rossendale Borough Council.
There were two cave entrance holes to the Northerly side of the quarry. I did on several occasions enter these caves and went into them a few yard or so, but it was too dark and probably unsafe to go far, but was told that they went back for quite a long distance.

Moving on, it was probably about the 1970s, that the Cave entrances were blocked over for safety reasons (in situ photos shown here). Originally the caves had been formed as a result of mining/quarrying operations, where quarrymen/miners would go into the caves and bring out the shale aggregate to make Bricks for the building trade, the quarry being called the “Top O’th’ Slate Quarry and the Company operating was called the Haslingden Plastic Brick & Tile Co (Click here to see blog on this company).

During the period of the late 50s the old Quarry was being used as a industrial/commercial tip. The old quarry bottom being filled with a sort of beige coloured slurry at one time. At other times I would see carpet and underlay remnants and other times there were tins of paint (by their hundreds), this was said to have been dumped there by McPhersons paint manufacturers of Bury. (Johnstones Paints).

Taking about paint, what memories!! I remember has a young boy once taking several tins home when we lived at Hud Hey, the tins which bore the wording “varnish”, and I decided with my parents permission to set to and varnish coat the four dining room chairs. Several days later and the chairs where still as wet as when I initially varnished them. You can imagine this did not go down well with my parents. Obviously the reason the varnish was on the tip in the first place!!.

More recently (probably from the 80s) the Rossendale Borough Council administered the tip which was licensed to the County Planning Officer of the County Council based at County Hall, Preston. And from that date until the reclamation of the site the site was used purely for Rossendale Borough Council’s highways waste eg: old curbstones, broken flags, sets, tarmac and various hardcores, whilst the East side of the old quarry was used for compositing operations (eg old surface water drain contents etc.

The area in the main had been semi-derelict in the greater part and left for nature to reclaim. I did spend a few years in this area observing and listing wildlife and have now compiled the following list of species recorded between the years of the 1980s and up to 2009.

TOP O’TH’ SLATE – NATURE RECORDS: (records during the period 1980 to 2009 Not in alphabetical order)

Breeding Birds
Blackcap – At least 1 pair during the period 2006 and 2007, but not recorded since 2007.
Grasshopper Warbler – Probably 2 breeding pair during the 1980s and 1990s, they have been absent since the start of the millennium.
Linnet – One breeding pair up to 2008, recent status unknown.
Whitethroat – First recorded 2006 – there was two singing birds present and breeding was suspected during 2006 but not recorded since 2007.
Willow Warbler - usually 4 to 5 breeding pairs,

Other breeding birds on site are: Blackbird (3 to 4 pair), Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock and Chaffinch.

Mammals:
Roe Deer (occasional visitor), Red Deer hind (June 2007 only), Red Fox, Rabbit, Mole, Grey Squirrel, Pipistrelle Bat.

Butterflies: (13 varieties)
Small Heath Butterfly (last week in June – plentiful)
Small Skipper (last week in June – plentiful)
Painted Lady, a couple of specimens recorded late June – August 25th 2003.
Red Admiral Butterfly – common
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly – Last week in June – Common
Small Copper – July & August – odd specimens
Peacock Butterfly – May
Large White – May
Wall Brown – mid August – several records
Meadow Brown – plentiful
Orange Tip – May
Gatekeeper – Mid Aug – first recorded 2007 – rare at present
Speckled Wood.

Moths (62 varieties) (I am thankful to my friends Charles Payne and Arlene Harris who kindly help with the identifications, photographing and listings of the Moth species over several visits)

Chimney Sweeper Moth,
Cinnabar Moth,
The Snout,
Latticed Heath Moth,
Ghost Moth,
Swallowtailed Moth,
Smoky Wainscot,
Gold Spot,
Clouded Border,
Dark Arches,
Antler Moth,
Purple Bar,
Small Phoenix,
True Lover’s Knot,
Iron Prominent,
Mother Of Pearl,
Twin Spot Carpet,
Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing
Grey Dagger,
Common Rustic
Phoenix,
Small Phoenix,
Marbled Minor,
Large Yellow Underwing,
Lesser Yellow Underwing,
Autumnal Rustic,
Common Marbled Carpet,
Sallow,
Angle Shades,
Flame Carpet,
Rosy Rustic,
Square Spot Rustic,
Grey Pine Carpet,
Willow Beauty,
Rhopobota naevana,
Acleris emargana,
Ingrailed Clay,
Light Emerald,
Beautiful Golden Y
Brimstone,
Clouded Border Brindle,
Coxcomb Prominent,
Flame Shoulder,
Peach Blossom,
Small Magpie,
Straw Dot,
Flame,
Clouded Silver,
Peppered Moth,
Common White Wave,
Plain Golden Y,
Dusky Brocade,
Scoparia ambigualis,
Marbled Minor,
Marbled,
Heart and Dart,
Small Square Spot,
Silver-Ground Carpet,
Burnished Brass,
Dark Spectacle,
Crambus lathoniellus,
Swammerdamia pyrella,
Brown Spot Pinion,

Insects recorded at Top O’th’ Slate
Yellow Ophion,
St Mark’s Fly (Bibio marci)
St Mark’s Fly (Bibio pomonae)
Netalia testaceus,
Picromerus bidens,
Helophilus pendulus.
Common Leafhopper,
Cantharis Livida,
Dancing Fly (Empis tessalata),
Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus),
Rhagonycha fulva,
7 Spot Ladybird,
Black Bean Aphid,
Cidella Viridis (Turquoise Leafhopper),
Drone Fly,
Turquoise Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus),
Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)

Flora recorded at Top O’th Slate (105 species)
Himalayan Balsam (prior to reclamation)
Pineapple Mayweed,
Bluebell (both English & Italian),
Butterbur,
Jacob’s Ladder,
Bloody Cranesbill,
Herb Robert,
LESSER PERIWINKLE,
Lesser Celandine,
Birdsfoot Trefoil,
Common Spotted Orchid,
Lady’s Mantle,
Perennial Cornflower,
Cowslip (prior to reclamation)
Foxglove,
Columbine,
Ragged Robin,
Yellow Irish,
Ragwort,
Wild Raspberry,
Tufted Vetch,
Woolly Thistle,
Yellow Loostrife,
Daisy,
Dandelion,
Buttercup.
Hawthorn,
Harebell,
Water Forget Me Not
Yellow Poppy (Welsh),
Yellow Vetch,
Common Poppy,
Wild Daffodil,
Autumn Gentian,
Bistort,
Black Knapweed
Bridewort (Spiraea salicifolia),
Meadow Cranesbill,
Broom,
Changing Forgetmenot,
Chicory (Introduced 2007),
Common Comfrey,
Common Nettle,
Common Scurvygrass,
Creeping Buttercup,
Corn Marigold,
Creeping Thistle,
Crocus (escape and since 2007) A Yellow Variety and also a White Variety.
Dotted Loostrife,
Dropwort,
Cuckoo Flower,
Field Pansy (Introduced since 2007)
Feverfew,
Garlic Mustard,
Gorse,
Greater Burdock,
Hairy Bittercress,
Heather,
Hedge Bindweed,
Hedge Woundwort,
Herb Robert,
Hogweed,
Ivy,
Jacobs Ladder (prior to 2007) not seen since
Japanese Knotweed,
Knotgrass,
Ladys Mantle,
Large Bittercress,
Large Flowered Evening Primrose (Introduced 2007),
Lesser Trefoil,
Meadowsweet (introduced 2007),
Montbretia,
Orange Poppy, (introduced 2007),
Wild Pansy (introduced 2007 with disturbed soils),
Procumbent Pearlwort,
Prickly Sow Thistle,
Privet Bush,
Red Bartsia,
Red Campion,
Redshank,
Ribbed Melilot,
Rosebay Willowherb,
Scented Mayweed,
Self Heal,
Sneezewort,
Sorrell,
Sticky Mouse Ear,
Thyme-leaved Speedwell,
Tormentil,
Vipers Bugloss (Introduced 2007),
Weld (Introduced 2007),
White Campion (Introduced 2007),
White Clover,
Wild Turnip,
Woolley Thistle
Columbine (Red) spread with disturbed soil prior 2007
Columbine (Pink) spread with disturbed soil prior 2007
Columbine (Lilac) spread with disturbed soil prior 2007,
Yarrow,
Great Willowherb,
Broad Leaved Willowherb,
Meadow Foam,
Teasel (Introduced 2007),
Water Horsetail.

If you wish to check out further nature information please go to the Top O'Th Slate Nature Site by clicking here

More photos to be added in next few days..

Marsden Square or "The Square" - Pot Fairs, Fairgrounds etc

2011-05-17T08:23:00.013+01:00

(Please click over photos: once to enlarge.

I rather think that Marsden Square, or “The Square” goes back a long long way! And what stories could it tell of old Haslingden?

I have seen many photos, in fact odd photos are shown within this very blog of social gatherings and festivals held on that very turf. No! no! no!, not turf! It was random dirt and stone as I remember, I’m sure it wasn’t clinker! I can only remember “The Square” from the 1950’s, but looking at these old photographs I am sure it had been a square and meeting place for a very long period within our history….

I suppose it was in the mid 1950’s when, The Square first came into my life, with early recollections of regularly held “pot fairs”, where my parents would drag me along (in the nicest possible way), and I had to witness the shouting, or “pitching” from guys stood alongside their large vans/pantecnicons, putting on these fabulous displays of chinaware. There was men throwing china items to one another and then catching the plates without breaking them (well in the majority of cases!). They would line up these treasures and offer them for what they said where knock down prices! Pots, dinner sets, cups and saucers and other porcelain gems would come into view.

Besides Pot Fairs, Marsden Square had hosted many other things in the past like Fire Brigade Rallies (see photo), Political and religious demonstrations had been held there. It had always been known especially for its travelling showmen, circuses and fairs.

And then there was the “square” bonfire, probably rumoured to be the biggest and best in the town those days as I remember. Who would dare to raid the bonfire of the “Square gang”, the thought of it may have brought shivers…… Not the Square gang!, stick to raiding the Station Lot, which we did on a regular basis… ( that’s us, the Carr Mill gang!)

I suppose the next issue with the Square for me was in the late 1950’s, when I can remember the fair coming to Haslingden, which it had been doing for many years previous. But better memories come from the early sixties, I can still picture them large wagons with super large generators on the back of them making such a racket, yet the whole racket was sort of taken over with the playing of current chart music being relayed through the sound system. It would have included music from, The Beach Boys, Del Shannon, Eden Kane, The Shadows and many more. This all helped to make such a great atmosphere of the fair. There was the Waltzer, or the Dodgems, the carousel, the big wheel/ or umbrellas, there was also several roll a pennies, catch a duck, darts, coconut shys, rifle shots, ice cream, and the fair would never have been a fair without its “toffee apples and candy floss”.

After all the many years this had been a public space, it was soon to come to its end, and during the 1960’s, the Borough Council decided to build flats on the Square. (see photo). And later (in 2002) the flats had been bulldozed and smaller properties were built in their place. (see photo).

Please check out this old rare article below on The Market Hotel, Marsden Square. It states within the article that the landowner at one time was Thwaites (whom I take to be the Brewery), and it goes on to say that the land was given on the understanding that it should never be built upon!)And many thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom for kindly supplying this rare old article.

Empire and Palace "Flicks" and chips cost a tanner...

2011-05-15T11:29:00.013+01:00

(Please click over photos to enlarge and then click again for supersize). (Top left and second down on right are Empire photos from the 60s, the top right is the Empire during the 30s. The second down on the right is a old photo of the Palace Cinema, long before it became Fletcher and Hunton. The photo at the bottom is of the old vicarage which was a predecessor to the Empire.

Are you going flicks on Saturday? But most would probably say, Are you going to pictures. I actually can’t remember anyone saying “Are you going to the Cinema”…………..

Saturday afternoon (Matinees) where always the favourite for youngsters with the weekly episodes of Flash Gordon.

Are you sitting in the usual seats this week, the one and sixpennies at the back (or the first two rows at the very front) or the two bobs at the front, and if you were taking your lass out maybe you would go for the two and sixpennies which lie about half way back and here you had a lot posher more comfortable seat (better upholstered) than the cheaper seats.

There again if you where hard up that week you could always go on the bob (shilling) bench at the back of the pictures just below where the projectionist was operating….

Tony Hoyle along with his mother, ran the show at the Empire, they were very strict, but very fair with everyone, and very well respected. Occasionally you would see one of them walking down the aisles with their torches and shining it down on someone and telling them to “keep quiet” and if they carried on talking after that and Tony had to come to them once more, he would then ask them to leave.

I do believe the Hoyle’s also owned the other pictures in the town, which was called the “Palace” and was in Beaconsfield Street (now Fletcher & Hunton Furnishings). I did go to this place a couple of times, but can’t remember it too clear. They also ran the Duke of Wellington pub on Grane Road.

As time went on, the flicks also was a great place for some of us to do our courting and the Empire was the place where we would take our lasses out too, once or twice a week, and then on the way home would call off at chippy for a bag of chips wrapped up in a outer sheath of old newspaper made into a bag and all this would cost a “tanner” (sixpence), and it was and had been this price for many a year.

Then all of a sudden there came a shortage of spuds, or that’s the story we got, and the chippies all had to start using new potatoes and so they said they had to put up the price of the chips accordingly, but no one seemed to worried at the time because they did promise to bring the price down again once the shortage had passed by!

They never did! and that was the start of the rising prices at the chippy….. those days it was only one and sixpence for fish and chips (or a bob and a tanner)..

Some used to bring in to chippy their porcelain bowls and would get pie and pies, or steak pudding and peas or some just a plain “mixture” (chips and peas)………

1700hrs 16th May 2011 added: (kindly sent in by Clifford Hargreaves)

I have been reading about The Empire Cinema on your blog which brought back many memories. There used to be two "houses " on a Saturday night , I think the first was about 6pm and the second about 8.30pm. I can also remember going to the cinemas in Rawtenstall, The Picture House on Bacup Road and the Pavilion in the centre. I had 8d spending money on a Saturday afternoon 4d for a quarter of Horners Cream Toffee,2d return on the bus to Rawtenstall and 2d admission to the cinema.
Kind regards,
Clifford.

1540hrs 16th May 2011 added:
3 photos kindly sent in by Ken Stott of the Stott & Vizzard shop which was on Blackburn Road - also now included in "Blackburn Road Blog" and also under "photo album" in left window pane.....

Emails, Catch Ups and Snippetts

2011-02-12T21:00:00.015Z

(9th Feb 2012) Email from Louise Whaley.
Can we help Louise to find information on the late Mayor Gertrude Warburton or any of her relations? If you do have any information will you kindly contact me by email (bryan.yorke@sky.com) so that I can forward the information to her, thank you.

"Mrs Gertrude Warburton was the Mayor of Haslingden during 1961/62 and she was my great aunt. I'm trying to find out more about our family tree and her life in particular. I'm wondering if a note could be posted on your blog to see if anyone remembers her and has memories (good or bad) that they could post. I have extremely vague memories of when I met her when I was a baby but I think she died soon after. What I don't know is about her family. Do I have other relatives?
I wonder if you are able to assist?
Many thanks in advance
Kind regards
Louise Whaley

Added (9th February 2012) from Bryan Yorke.
Hello Louise,
Many thanks for getting in touch and yes I have now gladly put a request on the blog for information on Gertrude or her family.
I was very privileged to have been on the last Haslingden Borough Council of which Alderman Gertrude was also a member, in fact the photo of the full Council of which you can see her sat at the front on the far left hand side, can be seen by clicking here.
I do remember that she was also a County Councillor for a good number of years, and also perhaps even more important, she was also one of the very few who was granted the "Freedom of the Borough".
She did live for a long time in the Well Bank area of Haslingden.

10th February 2012: Email received from Tony Nelson:
Dear Bryan
We really enjoyed your photos of Haslingden and the railway. My mother (Doreen Rush) was evacuated to Haslingden during the war from Salford and was looking for her old house which was near/in Mill Street opposite the railway sidings. We think the cottages/terraced houses may have been knocked down now. The family worked at the mill which was close by. If you have any ideas please get in touch.
Thank you,Tony Nelson
response (10th Feb 2012):

Hi Tony, I think the area where you mean is Carr Hall Street, which is a row of terraced houses and they are still there today. I havnt got a close up of CHS but have managed to find a distant photo taken from Higher Lane towards Hud Hey. You will notice the old Corporation Yard (sadly in ruins these days) and immediately behind and running paralell you can just make out CHS. Also I have included a photo from Patrick Baker which shows a Bentley Car. Well this photo was actually taken outside a house in Carr Hall Street, and the factory behind is what was Clough End Mill, Hud Hey Road, Haslingden and I think this maybe the Mill you refer to. Also ask her if she remembers Mrs. Porters Shop on the corner of CHS and Hud Hey, she made fabulous pies and custards.

Following on I am now wondering if it is Back Carr Mill Street, you mean, because these have definately been knocked down and were near the sidings (see photo on the left with white arrow showing were Back Carr Mill Street was. This being the case the closest mill would have been Carr Mill (textiles (in the 40s and then Mascos - Felt (during the late 50s and 60s, and then Shepherd Bros timber from the mid 60s and during the 70s.)or could it have still been the Clough End Mill has outlined above, because this is still only perhaps 100 yards from the properties. I do remember before the houses where knocked down: there was Mr and Mrs. Knight up in the corner, and also on the same row, was little Annie Rowe who tragically died in the floods, and there was also a Polish guy called Andrew in another of the houses. Cant remember who was in the other house. Sadly no photos...

A email yesterday received from Sue Ashton in Crete, kindly offering her memories of No.1 Deardengate. I will shortly include this within the Deardengate West Blog, thanks Sue.....
Hi Bryan
I have been re-reading your blog from February 2009 eg:
"Starting at No.1 Deardengate (Market Place End on the West Side), I remember this in my childhood as a wool/haberdashary sort of shop and was run by Miss Dawson. (see photo top right), then later probably within the 1970s, it was taken over by Michael Kay who partnered with Syd & Pat Barnes when they had it has Top O'Th Town Studio and they sold paintings and did picture framing etc from here."
"I have a vague recollection of going to that shop in my childhood - around 50 years ago, late 50s, early sixties - and I think it was being run by Elsie Berry. I think she had moved from Lower Deardengate. I remember going up a few steps and seeing her sitting at her sewing machine - she had, in my child's mind, a huge neck - I think I heard it was a goitre but I don't know how true that is. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm mistaken. My mother used to buy her knitting wool there - she used to have it "put away" and then collect it a few balls at a time, as needed. You can't imagine being able to do that nowadays, can you!
Keep up the good work with the blog - I pass many a winter evening here in Crete reading it and reminiscing about my younger days!"
Regards
Sue Ashton
And here is another email kindly received today from Michael Carr (Doctor Carr's son), thanks Mike, I will add to the Doctors Blog shortly.

"Good afternoon Bryan.
I grew up in Haslingden and lived there until 1966 when at the age of eight the family moved to the North East.

So why my discord to you? – well my father was a doctor and had his practice in Haslingden at No.4 Helmshore Road.

He may also be remembered for being the local Conservative Councillor and we have many press cuttings from his days; it seemed the local papers were plastered with his picture all the time or maybe we were just a big nepotistic! Lol!

My father, alas died some ten years ago at the age of 85 and now rests quietly on a hillside in Southern Eire. Mother was/is some twenty years younger than may Dad and still lives happily there.

Being such a young child alas I don’t have many memories but a few ….

· Getting into trouble for picking tar out of the cobbled street and pocketing it
· Fr McCloughlin the local Parish Priest (still alive)
· Dr Henry Leahy – also from Eire – he also had a practice in Haslingden – I know he retired back there.
· Cordingley’s Garage – my favourite haunt (still car mad to this day)
· Holland’s Pies
· The swimming pool

There you are…. thanks for the memories.
Take Care"
Mike.

12th June 2011 1122hrs: added mail from John Taylor:Good Morning
Re the area of Deardengate below, just before the British Legion was Mill's toy shop in the late 50's. Also Sue Ashton is right Elsie Berry did run a wool shop in lower Deardengate and the notable think was the absolute 'tip' it was how she every found anything was a marvel, but she did !
(My parents had 'Taylor's Corner Cafe' at 101 Deardengate till the early 60's then my father owned 'The Disk' at 28 Deardengate till 1975) You have had info from my brother 'snighole' !!!!
I was at Haslingden Secondary Modern 1959 to 1963 !
Kind regards
John
************************************************************************************12th June 2011 1119hrs: added mail from Victoria Nuttall:
Hi Bryan
I have been looking through your website and have found it really interesting. I live on Blackburn Road and have delved into the history of my house. The only thing I cant find out is whether my house has/had a cellar. We have been carrying out some internal work and discovered 3 stone steps under the main staircase, I want to carry on digging but the other half is a little less enthusiastic. I have looked through all the old pictures of Blackburn Road on your site hoping I might see an old piccie of my house, but none there!
I live at number 175 (it is midterraced of about 5 - elevated from the road, on the left going into Haslingden) would you remember if they had coal doors/chutes to the front of the houses?
many thanks for any info you could give
Vicky
********************************************************************************* 9th June 2011 1902hrs: added a photo from 1911 of Britannia Mill (Weavers Decorations) (from Clifford Hargreaves).
(Click here to see photo) and accompanied with this mail:
Hi Bryan,
My sister and I are not sure, but the smallest of the two boys on the front row could possibly be be our father, as he bears a strong resemblance to photos of him when he was in the army.We do know he worked in the cotton industry before the war and the date fits.
Regards,
Clifford.
*****************************************************************************10th January 2012 0837hrs: Here is a email from Chris Reid, with some of his memories of helping out Teddy Berry on the Rag & Bone Cart: Hi Bryan my name is chris reid i went to school and lived in haslingden from 1963/4 to about 1976, i used to help drive and work the last rag and bone cart in haslingden which belonged to Teddy Berry. his son and daughter are both still living in haslingden i believe. his daughter shirley (nuttal) still lives on sunny bank street his son Duncan i am not sure of his current address. I am sure they may have some valueable photos as their grandad george used to have a shop on church st next to the bird in hand pub. where the shop burnt down and george died in the fire. They also had stables that linked from the rear of the shop to what is the landleague. i am afraid all i have is memories. As there was no mention of the last rag and bone man i thought i throw my bit.scholl from 1967-71 i have tried through other sites to get a reunion but no luck so far. if i bring any more memories to mind i will let you know. great site.
chris reid

the photo of the horse and cart loaded with fruit and veg may well have been taken next to the blacksmiths just of hud hey rd i think it was opposite what was sheperds wire factory, the blacksmith was called Bert Marsden. shepherds allso ran a woodyard.

January 20th 2012 - 1432hrs: Email received from Chris Read with some of his Haslingden Memories:If you came up hargreaves st with the police stn on your right at the corner of the street was the old Craven Heifer pub, accross the rd was Mr fittons grocers shop. i think the big lamp was actually placed in ivanovics garden on flaxmoss, it was the same people who made candlewick bedspreads on what was the back of the thorn. i frequented the broken jaw many times. just for the carrs village info, accross from the police station at the bottom junction of hargreaves st which was a boxing /training gym at the time, was a sort of second hand shop, where the people were called norman and may davies who had a daughter called gillian, they moved to carrs i think from birmingham area, norman was joiner by trade.
all the best
chris

January 31st 2012 - 0743hrs: Email received from Rosa in Italy with some Haslingden Memories (Rosa lived in Carr Hall Street as a child)hello, it's rosa, i just about remember all the shops mentioned on blackburn rd.esp.the fruit shop with the hanging banans and grapes and the smell of fish.also the parrafin shop with mr.fred.and of course all the sweet shops,just about remember the chemist's. on deardengate the clarks shoeshop was it not next to the butchers near the co-op,the coalmerchant on blackburn rd.that then moved to church st.a mr.davidson who used to deliver.next was there a flower and fruit shop,mum used to get our flower posies there for the whitsunday processions.then later at the end of the row there was a father and son run shop,where we used to buy jeans and bellbottom pants.

Abandoned Communities - Haslingden Grane - Information needed

2011-02-06T09:20:00.014Z

Stephen Fisk contacted me several months ago in connection with his project: Abandoned Communities, of which he is currently working on a piece about Haslingden Grane. He has recently been to Haslingden to research and meet up with several interested parties. Please check out the early "Grane" story on his website (Click Here)

Stephen has sent the following appeal:

"You very kindly said you would put a notice in the Haslingden Old and New blog inviting people to send in any information, stories, photographs, etc. related to Haslingden Grane. I would be especially interested in anything that throws more light on events around the time people had to leave Haslingden Grane. What made them decide they would have to move, how they felt about it, where they moved to, how well they adjusted to the move, whether they kept in touch with the Grane or with other people they knew there. It would be wonderful if anyone can come up with photographs taken in Haslingden Grane, or to hear about any possessions such as furniture they may still have that dates from time".

Stephen can be contacted through my email address Click Here or direct from the contact details on his website home page.

Another Hollands Pie Van photo

2011-02-04T10:46:00.004Z

Paul Anderson has kindly sent the above photo of the Hollands Pie Van which I will shortly include within the Hollands Pie Blog. Can't recognize the area where the photo was taken! it looks a little bit like the Stacksteads area of Bacup but dont recognize the businesses.

Mr. Wrights - Chemist Shop - Lr Deardengate.

2011-02-02T09:43:00.005Z

Hi,
Just came across your Haslingden Old and New. My mother Dorothy, is the daughter of Mr Wright who used to own the Chemist shop that you mentioned (click Here). They lived in a house called "Brentwood" that was on Helmshore Road in Haslingden. This would be around the 1930s I guess. Mum is now 89 so we are going back a long way. She was a pharmacist at the chemist shop and married in Haslingden church. Probably there are a few bits of history that she will remember about the area etc. Just thought I would make contact as the grandaughter of Mr Wright and if you need to add more I have some pictures. Will try to dig them out and also I will get in touch with my cousins and my sister who may also have some.

It's been interesting reading such a vast amount of info on the site.

Thanks

Anne-Marie Newman in Birmingham

Haslingden Conservative Club - Further information....

2011-02-01T19:17:00.005Z

I am indebted to Jackie Ramsbottom for kindly sending in the above early article about the move of Haslingden Conservative Club, from George Street, to John Street. (Published by the Haslingden Guardian - Feb 17th 1911. Please click over the article once, and then to supersize click over yet again. I will shortly add this article to the already Haslingden Conservative Blog.

New info on Doctors blog and Police blog

2011-01-27T08:09:00.004Z

Just returned from holiday and currently catching up on things, I have just kindly received additional information as follows:-

1) Information on past doctors of Hazelwood - now included in the blog please Click Here

2) Also a correction in the dates of Police photographs etc please Click Here

Haslingden St. James Football Club - c1971

2011-01-10T10:59:00.004Z

Ian Warburton has kindly sent this photo of Haslingden St. James Football Club. (Please click over photo once to enlarge and then click over again to supersize)

This is a team photo from my days playing for Haslingden St James' FC. I'm fairly certain this was August 1971. It is taken on Houghtons Road pitches (*now Haslingden Sports Centre) before the final of the 'Haslingden Competition' against Haslingden FC . The tournament was held before each season for all Haslingden and Helmshore teams.
Back Row :- Ian Warburton, Brian Tomlinson, Brian Thompson, Jack Pilling, Ray Howarth, Clive Whitehead.
Front Row :- David Holland, Steve Walkden, Mark Barnes, Stan Barlow, Dave Vipham

Best Regards,
Ian Warburton

Wesley Church Walking Day and Nativity Photos

2011-01-08T16:47:00.008Z

Kathleen Eva (nee Gibbons) has been kind enough to send in the following photographs

Holland Family (Holland Pies) - further information

2011-01-08T11:02:00.004Z

David Stevenson has kindly sent in this information on the Holland Family, which I will also shortly include within the Holland's Pies blog...

Hi Bryan,

I have further information on the Holland family which may be of interest. This shows that in 1851 when John Whittaker opened a confectioners shop in Deardengate, his future wife, Sarah Titley was employed as a cook at Flaxmoss House for William Turner a prominent mill owner and JP.
On the 8th October 1852 at The Parochial Chapel in Haslingden, John Whittaker married Sarah Titley (whose father was Walter Titley, an attorney at Alton in Staffordshire).

The 1861 census shows John and Sarah Whittaker living in Deardengate together with Sarahs daughter Sarah Ann aged 16 who was born in Macclesfield on the 25th July 1844, with the surname Titley and no fathers name recorded on the birth certificate.

In 1866 Richard Henry Holland, born at Wood farm in Staffordshire, joined the Whittakers to work in their shop, after an apprenticeship at Bollands in Chester and Moseleys in Accrington.

On the 2nd November 1869 Richard and Sarah Ann were married at St. James Parish Church, also this year they bought into the confectioners business and changed the name to Hollands.

The 1871 census shows John and Sarah Whittaker,Richard and Sarah Ann Holland all listed as confectioners living in Deardengate together with Richard and Sarahs son Walter at 5 months old.

The 1881 census has John Whittaker, Richard and Sarah Holland with their children Walter,Sarah and Ada living at 77 Deardengate.

On the 21st November 1882 my grandmother Florence Edith Holland was born to Richard and Sarah Ann in Deardengate.

Around 1890 Walter Holland took over the business and changed the name to Walter Hollands.

In1891 Richard and Sarah with four of their children and John Whittaker were living at 10 Church St. whilst Walter Holland, his wife and son Harry lived at 15 Hartley St.

The 1901 census shows that Walter Holland and his family had moved into 10 Church St. whilst Richard, Sarah and three of their children had moved to 342 Blackburn Road.

From David Stevenson,
Rising Bridge Road

Haslingden Council School photos

2011-01-06T16:19:00.014Z

Clifford Hargreaves has kindly sent in the above photo of Haslingden Council School from c1935. Click over photo once to enlarge and then again for supersize...

"Hi Bryan,

Forwarding a photo of Haslingden Council School taken when I was about 6 years old. I can remember a few of the pupils and teachers names and some of the faces are vaguely familiar".

Clifford.

And below are more photos of the Haslingden Council School as follows:
1) Whilst under construction, during 1915. 2) Grand Opening Day in 1915. 3) School Mass group photo from the opening during 1915. 4) Class 1 1922. 5) 10 year olds. 6) No information. 7) Top Class in 1924 8) Group photo from 1928.

More Recollections from a Graner - Mrs. Ada Barlow (Nee Nuttall) 1906 - 2000....

2010-12-24T09:58:00.007Z

FROM ADA BARLOW 'S (nee NUTTALL) More excerpts The Barlow Brothers.(All born 1884-1880)
(Ada's father- in- law,Ben Barlow-born 1887) was one of 8 kids-6 boys who were scalliwags & 2 girls.)

"There was a dyed in the wool Tory in Helmshore called Owd Brandwood. He was standing for the council. In those days elections were really rip-roaring affairs. It seemed he kept pigs and on voting day one of the pigs was painted blue. It made headline news and is still talked about today. No-one knew who had done it. The first time I heard about it was when I was at school. We were being told how we "breathed" through our pores. The teacher said,"Remember how the Tory pig died at Helmshore just because they could not remove the paint?". Well you've guessed it. It was the work of the Barlow brothers. They were Liberals."

"A rag and bone man used to come to the village and it was his custom to call in the pub and leave his donkey and cart a little higher up the road tethered to a gate. He had the shock of his life one day. His cart was on one side of the gate and his donkey on the other. Once again the Barlows had been at work. They had taken the donkey out of the shafts and stuck the cart on the other side of the gate and were in hiding watching the fun. They were still at it when they moved to Blackburn road, Haslingden. They had some white mice and let them run into the walls of the house. Very soon the neighbours were complaining of black and white mice.Just imagine what a handful they must have been for grandma."

"Haslingden market was very well-known in those days.People came from far and near. The stalls ran all down Deardengate near where the Big Lamp stood. There used to be a big marquee where they sold black peas and hot pies. Saturday nights it was full of customers eating their pie and peas sitting on forms which ran along the sides of the tent. The bulging bottoms were just too much for the Barlow scamps, they ran along outside jabbing with a large hat-pin.Alas, the old market was scrapped to make way for a market hall which proved to be a white elephant. The allure was the old stalls which traded until very late, lit by napthaline flares.

One Barlow brother,Frank used to organise family outings and holidays. One year they all went to Ireland and stayed in a farm near the Giants' Causeway. The farm must have been pretty primative. Some of the rooms were divided by thin curtains. Frank's sister,Ruth and her husband shared a "room" with a curate and his new wife. They guessed they were honeymooners and put health salts in their 'jerry'. Luckily they had a sense of humour and enjoyed the joke with them!"

These lads were possibly born in Hollin Bank or Helmshore. Does that count them out as true Graners?
Joan.

(The above excerpts from Ada Barlow's Recollections, was kindly sent in by Joan Barlow (Ada's daughter in law) (received 24th Dec 2010).. thanks Joan..

Please Click Here to read earlier published "excerpts" from Ada Barlow.

No:58 But where in Haslingden? Blackburn Rd/Deardengate/Manchester Rd???

2010-12-23T21:59:00.007Z

Ron Frost, Has kindly sent in the above photograph and any information would be very welcome, Please Click Here if you can help.. thanks....

Hello Bryan,

ive read with interest your blog and information on Haslingden and have an old picture postcard which may be from the area.
The postcard is a shopfront of a baby clothes shop and the number of the property is 58. The postcard came from a Macclesfield collection with links to Haslingden. I know its not a macclesfield postcard as I collect those.
I have attached a copy of the postcard and if you have any comments I would be most grateful.

Many thanks
Ron Frost

Dr. Jonathan Atkinson Harrison & Family of Hazelwood

2010-12-08T16:14:00.031Z

I have just received the above photograph along with the below communication with regards Dr. Harrison and the Harrison family and any further information would be warmly welcomed, especially by John Blake. Please contact me if you can provide any further information.

Hi Bryan
Have just stumbled across your site as I have been trying to research the background to my great grandfather and his sons. He was Jonathan Atkinson Harrison, and I believe he set up the first GP surgery in Haslingden, first in Regent Street, and then at Hazelwood, on Bury Road. He was the town Medical Officer. He was a farmer’s son, originally from Warcop in Westmorland. He married Margaret Whitaker, a mill owner’s daughter in Haslingden. He died in 1905. His eldest son, John Atkinson Harrison carried on the practice until he died in 1920. I attach a family photo, taken in the garden at Hazlewood, probably in the 1890’s

I have quite a lot more information if you are interested, and I would love to know if any of you readers have any recollections relating to the Harrisons.

Best wishes
John Harrison Blake

And below is a photograph of Dr John A. Harrison, the eldest son of Jonathan.

And here is another photograph showing Dr. Harrison with the St. Johns Ambulance

Could it be possible that Dr. John A. Harrison had the first motor car in Haslingden? Yes he did and here is a photo of the chassis of that car:

His younger brother was William Sandilands Harrison (John Harrison Blake's grandfather) who joined the Army. He was one of the team that developed typhoid vaccine before WW1. He became Medical Officer in Jamaica, but sadly caught one of the diseases he was researching, and came home to die in Haslingden in 1915. Another brother was Lawrence Whitaker Harrison, who was also in the RAMC and he was a pioneer of VD treatment for soldiers in WW1, and became a major expert on the subject. There is a wing of St. Thomas’ Hospital in London named after him.

Generally the family seems to move away from Haslingden after Dr John died, quite young, in 1920. His sister Beatrice had worked with him as a nurse. She moved to the Lake District, and his wife Etta (nee Worsley) moved to Scotland, I think.

(Notice of the death of Dr. Harrison, Taken from Haslingden Guardian Friday August 25th 1905)

The Late Dr. Harrison, J.P. A Zealous Public Officer

Dr Harrison being greatly respected by the people of Haslingden, where he had attained considerable popularity as a skilled medical practitioner, and as the medical officer for the borough for a lengthy period. Dr. Harrison who was sixty-two years of age at his death, was educated at Appleby Grammar School, while later, he served his apprenticeship with Dr. Blades at Kirkby Stephen. Proceeding to Glasgow he subsequently graduated and obtained the degrees of Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (1866), Bachelor of Medicine and Master in Surgery (1867), and Doctor of Medicine (1870). In 1866 or 1867 he commenced to practice in Hawes, North Yorkshire, but in 1872 he took over the Haslingden practice of the late Dr. Binns. Subsequently he married a daughter of the late Mr. John Whittaker of Waterfoot House, Haslingden, and since that happy event he devoted himself to the duties of a Haslingden citizen and displayed a keen and intelligent interest in local affairs. In the year 1873 Dr. Harrison received an appointment to the Rural Sanitary Authority under the Poor law Union regime. At the first meeting of the Local Board on September 9th, 1875, he was appointed medical officer pro tem, and in January 1876, he received the full appointment. In September 9th 1885, Dr. Macpherson was appointed medical officer, and on September 16th 1889, Dr. Harrison became a member of the Local Board. Following upon the subsequent death of Dr. Macpherson, Dr. Harrison was again appointed medical officer, on June 19th 1890, when he resigned his seat as a member of the Local Board in order to take the appointment. As medical officer for the borough, Dr. Harrison displayed commendable zeal, and he never hesitated to indulge in straight speaking when he conceived that the best interests of the people of the borough were endangered.. Although probably for economical reasons, some of his recommendations were disregarded by the Health Committee, he was so persistent in his advocacy of sanitary improvements that he gained the admiration and esteem of the members of the local authority and several of his suggestions were ultimately adopted, notably that referring to the discontinuance of the old smallpox hospital at Clod, which he denounced in and out of season as totally unfit for the accommodation of patients. In 1884 Dr. Harrison was deservedly honoured by being placed on the Commission of the Peace, and since that time he regularly and sealously attended to his duties as a magistrate. Another of his local offices was that of police surgeon. He was also a Past Master of Wolsey lodge of Freemasons, Manchester. Dr. Harrison was a staunch adherent of the Church of England and practically ever since the formation of Laneside Parish, he has held the honourable position of churchwarden, in which capacity he frequently elicited warm tributes from the vicar and parishioners of Laneside. As a total abstainer, Dr. Harrison evinced considerable interest in temperance work and he was a trustee of the Haslingden Blue Ribbon Club, upon which the flag was hoisted at half-mast on receipt of the news of his death. For some years, one of his sons, Dr. John Harrison, has been associated with him in his practice, while another son has attained recognition as an able member of the Army Medical Staff. Dr. Harrison is survived by his widow, five sons and three daughters. (Thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom for sending in this information)

Hazelwood (41 Bury Road, Haslingden)
Was used as a Doctors Surgery ever since the establishment by Dr. Jonathan Atkinson Harrison in 1881 (at Hazelwood, although he personally had established his practice much earlier from Regent Street). Hazelwood continued as a Doctors Surgery right up until 1985 (a period of 104 years). Hazelwood in the mid to late 1900s was the home of Dr. Arthur Ramsden and Coun. Dorothy Ramsden, but was also a Doctors surgery for Dr. Ramsden. In the latter years (70s and 80s) it became a partnered practice which included: Dr Arthur Ramsden, Dr. Richard Pettigrew, Dr. Marsden and Dr. Rishton. The practice at Hazelwood closed its doors in 1985, when it moved to the current Haslingden Health Centre on Manchester Road. Since 1989, Hazelwood has been used for a Nursing Home for several years. After which it closed down and was empty for sometime and in more later years has been the Offices to a Contracts Company.

Kathleen Eva has kindly sent in the following information (6th Jan 2011) I have some information to add to the passage about the doctor's on Bury Rd.
During the early 1950's just after the N.H.S. was formed, there was a Dr Weir who had that practice, then he was joined by Dr Armistead. Dr Weir later retired (I think) and Dr Armistead was joined by Dr Ramsden. Dr Armistead left Haslingden about 1960/61, when Dr Ramsden took over the running of the practice. The surgery was in the celler of the house, you went in by the side door and turned left down the stairs, you all sat round the outside of the room till it was your turn. Somtimes we would move up as people went into the Dr.when it was your turn you were called through to the passage by Hilda the receptionist where you waited till Dr was ready for you. I remember it as always seeming to be dark.
I think these dates are about right , Dr's Armistead and Ramsden were my doctors when I lived in Haslingden. -Kathleen.

Below is a couple of photos of Hazelwood from back in 2003. When the photos were taken it had just closed down after having been a "nursing home". The old garden which lay to the South East side of the building enclosed within its own perimeter wall bordering both Park St and Bury Road, has all been dug out, and is now a car park for the Offices. Also a extension has been attached to the South West side of the building.

And also information about Doctor Carr who practiced at No.4 Helmshore Road.I kindly received a email today (12th Feb 2011) from Michael Carr (Doctor Carr's son):

"Good afternoon Bryan.
I grew up in Haslingden and lived there until 1966 when at the age of eight the family moved to the North East.

So why my discord to you? – well my father was a doctor and had his practice in Haslingden at No.4 Helmshore Road.

He may also be remembered for being the local Conservative Councillor and we have many press cuttings from his days; it seemed the local papers were plastered with his picture all the time or maybe we were just a big nepotistic! Lol!

My father, alas died some ten years ago at the age of 85 and now rests quietly on a hillside in Southern Eire. Mother was/is some twenty years younger than may Dad and still lives happily there.

Added Further Hollands Pie Van/Wagon Photos

2010-12-05T11:16:00.002Z

Added further Hollands Pie Van/Wagon Photos today, kindly sent in by Paul Anderson, and thanks also for permission from Peter Davison. To check out new photos CLICK HERE

Haslingden Workingmen's Club, Spring Lane - And a few memories....

2010-11-25T09:34:00.022Z

(Please click over photo to enlarge and click again to supersize). (Many thanks to Jackie Ramsbottom for sending in this photo of the "workers" just before it was demolished).

I suppose my first recollections of Haslingden Workingmen's Club, Spring Lane, was once a week, getting a nice suprise when my dad would go off there for his game of snooker, and it felt so special to get a treat which was a bag of crisp made by either firms of the name Rishy (XL Crisp), Bensons or even Smith's Crisp, and it would have had a little salt bag with twisted top, very much like the shape in miniature of what ladies used in their washing and called a "dolly blue", I would try and stop awake excitedly awaiting those crisp, but more often than not would drop off asleep and I would then get my treat the following morning. To think that those days little things (or where they big things?) seemed so much more exciting and worthwhile and yet today we just take things like that for granted. It really meant something special then.... and how values have changed... What was once one bag of crisp per week, could now be two bags per day. Also going to their Annual Christmas Parties which started for me when I was about 6 or 8 years of age. I can clearly remember being met at the door by Peggy Flynn the stewardess and then chatting with her husband Tommy who was behind the bar.....

My father at the time played snooker on a weekly basis for the "Workers", and very occasionally he would let me go with him to watch. Sometimes I also managed to go to some of the away games, at places where they did not sell alcohol. I remember going to St. Peters Church Hall, and also the Liberal Club at the bottom of Park Street, a beautiful old building with wide steps with timber polished balustrade from where you would go upstairs into the main room where there was two full size snooker tables. I must have gone with him many times because I can still remember some of their (Haslingden Liberal Club) players from that time (Mr Duxbury - the Auctioneer and later his son), Veril Riley, Josh Knowles, Ernie Taylor.... Another place I remember going to was Townsendfold Social Club which them days seemed a million miles away!!

Back in the 50s and possibly into the 60s top snooker/billiard players would visit the "workers" and do exhibitions. From memory my father used to tell me about the famous names such as Jackie Rae, and Fred Davis (top man in billiards those days), and John Spencer would also come to the Club.

When we first got married I remember us going on many a Saturday night, where we would play bingo, whilst sat on the well upholstered seating which bordered the full perimeter of the snooker room.....

There where also concerts at the Club and I can remember a great local performer "Willie Horan" a local popular drag act, who would from time to time pack the Club. Jimmy Hill was the pianist at the Club and he was also in the "workers" snooker team along with my dad, Jimmy Collinge, Dick Garnett and others.

Nearer to the latter days of the Club, I remember attending a Charity function which was organized by Jimmy Paton and can even remember him saying to several of us that were sitting with him at the same table, "we have all these variety acts coming and appearing here tonight, but we need a "name personality" to do the raffle etc.", no sooner had he mentioned it to us that he jumped up and proceeded to the phone and there and then rang Granada Studios in Manchester, and asked if "Tony Wilson" the newscaster would be able to appear at the event..... its was quite unbelievable when I think back, but sure enough Jim managed to persuade Tony who said he would come straight after presenting the evening news, which he did, a couple of hours later. What a fabulous chap he was, I remember him asking one of the variety acts if he did'nt mind if he could use his guitar for a number or two, and up Tony got to the stage, and what was to come was a real treat..... I don't think anyone was ready for Tony Wilson (the great local newscaster of the day) to play out some raunchy heavy blues, before us and it was really quite superb.... he brought the house down.

After witnessing that evening, that great mans kindness, and enjoying such insurmountable skills he provided that night, I couldn't help but then be attracted by various news reports over the years of Tony's career. I was never suprised that he later took time out from television to open and promote Factory Records with such involvement towards Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, and the list goes on and on. In later years his energies furthered and he opened up the famous Manchester Hacienda.... It was such a tragedy that he died in August 2007, but what a legacy that man left us.

Going back in time! I can sort of remember sometimes when going home from the "Top Church School (St. Jame's) would go through the Churchyard, and then follow the pathway past a long row of cottages which overlooked Blackburn Road (been demolished years ago) and then would go past the "Workers" Club on the right, and then it was all waste ground at the side of the Club (long before the West View Estate was even thought of). And I remember somewhere around here there was some very large "air raid shelters", or at least that is what I was lead to believe they were.

Also just to the right hand side of the Club, was the "Spring Well", a natural Spring well which is fed from the side of Cribden, the well is still in the same place today. In the past I would often take refreshment here! (so pure a water!). This same waterway in the distant past would have been collected higher up, by the Baxters Brewery, before reaching this point. On the opposite side of Spring Lane and almost directly across from the Club was a couple of terraced properties (still there today) and one of them used to be the stewards house, and was owned by the Club. Spring Lane itself in those days was a steep cobbled road with well worn shiny "setts", and it was one of the last places in Haslingden to receive a tarmac covering (probably in the 80s).

Closeby to the Club was the Baxters Brewery (pre: Beverleys, Wilsons). I can remember the building well from my childhood days, but not has a brewery. I would pass the building regular and it would have wagons either delivering or picking up large bales of cotton waste...

It was so sad for some of us when that Club closed down.

Lots and lots of happy memories.....

Another photo here which shows the "workers" in situ and also the long row of houses which have long been demolished which overlooked Blackburn Road.

This is a email I received from Chris Reid on 10th January 2012:
Hi Bryan, I have just finished reading your blog on the hwmc. we must have spoken or met that night tony wilson appeared as i was on the committee with jim patton who i had known all my life. we had just had the club refurbished. tony wilson actualy got up on stage to play a guitar, not succsessfully. however. i helped jim run the club for a good while before i left haslingden.
there were some great nights there. i was gutted when the club closed as i was in canada at the time. i used to take horses to drink at the well on spring lane, i often wonder if it is still there running. i think it is time i revisited haslingden with a new pair of eyes. i am sure we must be close to the same age 55. i can only thank you for the time and effort you have put in to the site.it has helped me no end to restore my memory. if i can recall anything more as i read through i will e-mail you. please feel free to post any info i send that you consider useful.I think there should be a list of town characters and some of their antics.
all the best
chris reid
Response: "Housey Housey" them days not "Bingo"
Hi Chris,
Like you say it was a really great Club and held special memories for me (like yourself), especially going to the Christmas parties as a child etc etc. I then became a member at the start of drinking age, and went regular on Sat nights when I got wed, it was a sort of bingo night (I think they called it housey them days - not bingo)
Yes the Spring is still there and running. Well it was a couple of years ago.
I am a little older than you at 64, and have for the past 3 years been living in Burton In Kendal in Cumbria, but I do get chance usually at least bi-monthly to visit the old place.
I am extra pleased this is helping you to get better with your memory illness, that makes it all the more worthwhile.
Keep remembering!
All the best,
Bryan.

Haslingden Grammar School Oct 1969 Group Photos

2010-11-18T12:46:00.014Z

With many thanks to Nicholas Daley of the Valley Cleaning Services whom has kindly sent in this 1969 group photo Haslingden Grammar School Pupils.
Because the photos are quite wide I have had to split each photo into 9 separate lots. - PLEASE CLICK OVER THE PHOTO ONCE TO ENLARGE AND THEN CLICK OVER IT AGAIN TO SUPERSIZE.

For the Haslingden Grammar School Blog Click Here

Haslingden Grammar School Sept 1962 Group Photos

2010-11-18T11:25:00.010Z

With many thanks to Nicholas Daley of the Valley Cleaning Services whom has kindly sent in this September 1962 group photo of Haslingden Grammar School Pupils..
Because the photos are quite wide I have had to split each photo into 7 separate lots. PLEASE CLICK OVER THE PHOTO ONCE TO ENLARGE AND THEN CLICK OVER IT AGAIN TO SUPERSIZE.

For the Haslingden Grammar School Blog Click Here

Haslingden Grammar School May 1965 Group Photos

2010-11-18T10:04:00.013Z

With many thanks to Nicholas Daley of the Valley Cleaning Services whom has kindly sent in this lovely group photo from May 1965 of Haslingden Grammar School Pupils.

Because the photos are quite wide I have had to split each photo into 8 separate lots. PLEASE CLICK OVER THE PHOTO ONCE TO ENLARGE AND THEN CLICK OVER IT AGAIN TO SUPERSIZE.
To see the Haslingden Grammar School Blog click here

Haslingden Grammar School Oct 1957 Group photos

2010-11-17T17:05:00.008Z

With many thanks to Nicholas Daley of the Valley Cleaning Services whom has kindly sent in this group photos of Haslingden Grammar School Pupils from October 1957.

Because the photos are quite wide I have had to split each photo into 7 separate lots. - PLEASE CLICK OVER THE PHOTO ONCE TO ENLARGE AND THEN CLICK OVER IT AGAIN TO SUPERSIZE.

Haslingden Grammar School Blog Click Here

Haslingden Grammar School Sept 1959 Group School Photo

2010-11-17T10:27:00.017Z

With many thanks to Nicholas Daley of the Valley Cleaning Services whom has kindly sent in this lovely group photo from September 1959 of Haslingden Grammar School Pupils.
Because the photos are quite wide I have had to split the photo into 6 separate lots. - PLEASE CLICK OVER THE PHOTO ONCE TO ENLARGE AND THEN CLICK OVER IT AGAIN TO SUPERSIZE.

Click here to see the Haslingden Grammar School Blog

Some New HOLLANDS PIES Van Photos

2010-11-15T13:11:00.008Z

Paul Anderson has kindly sent in the photos of Hollands Pies Vans above - which I will shortly add to my Hollands Pies blog, but for now please enjoy. And dont forget to check out Pauls site for other transport photos click here

Haslingden Secondary Modern School Photo taken in Hall 1962 or 1963

2010-10-20T17:05:00.003+01:00

Jim Nuttall has kindly sent in the above photo of students at the Haslingden Secondary Modern School, taken within the Main Hall during either 1962 or 1963...

Haslingden Wheelers Cycle Club and other Haslingden Cycling related photos.

2010-10-05T19:08:00.007+01:00

Here is a photo of a badge sent in by Jim Nuttall of the Haslingden Wheelers Cycle Club, the badge is silver and hallmarked.

a update from Jim Nuttall. "Just an update about the HW badge.

I rang my sister last night,and she told me that she has had a look at a census for around 1901, and found that our grandad Harold Butterworth, worked as an apprentice at a cycle works in Haslingden.

I can't find any information about the cycle works, on the internet.

Jim Nuttall

Update: 15th October 2010: Jim Nuttall has just sent the following information on the Haslingden Wheelers Club which he has kindly received from Tricia Kenny:

"Haslingden cycles were made at Croft Cycle Works, behind Higher Deardengate, which was started in 1882 by John Stancliffe Cordingley. The Trade Directory of 1909 lists him at 26 Deardengate, a bicycle agent and manufacturer, in 1913 he is listed at the same address but is now a motor car agent and dealer. John Cordingley held the cycling championship of Rossendale for 7 years in succession from 1886 to 1892

I haven't found a date for the start of the Haslingden Wheelers Cycling Club, but assume it's around 1882-3? Here at Rawtenstall Library we have a copy of a National Cyclists' Union 'License to race as an amateur' for John James Holden of Haslingden, member of the Haslingden Wheelers Cycling Club, dated March 1902.

Tricia Kenny.

Does anyone have any further information etc on the Cycle Works in Haslingden?

Look at these old Haslingden "cycling related photos"..... top) is Cordingleys Cycling Shop which was on Blackburn Road, where Laws the butchers is now (at the side of the Black Bull) 2) Georgie Berry on his penny farthing in 1944 3) Richard and Will Moorhouse with their penny farthings in 1891 and 4) Will Moorhouse on the penny farthing and Jim Crankshaw on the cycle at Flaxmoss in c1930.

Haslingden Festival Schools Concert June 1959

2010-10-03T14:56:00.005+01:00

This was a collective massed choir from four Haslingden Schools and involved 200 pupils. There are lots of people I can remember on the photo. And I can also remember my headmaster at St. James which was Mr. Rawlinson, who conducted the choir. Also I remember the Chairman Mr. Parker who was the headmaster at St. Johns Stonefold, and lived on Rising Bridge Road (Hud Hey end), close to where I used to live. (Please click over photo once to enlarge, then if required click over it yet again to supersize).

Thanks to Jim Nuttall for kindly sending these photos.

Moses Ball & W.M. Holden Fruit & Vegetable Merchants of Haslingden & Bury

2010-09-20T10:03:00.008+01:00

Jim Nuttall has kindly sent me the following postcard/photograph.

"I Have been sorting out my dad's old photo's, and found one of Moses Ball He lived on Wells street Haslingden until he died.
He was related to me through my Uncle's ( Nick Nuttall) wife.
The photo is of a Horse & cart Owned by W M Holden Fruit & Vegatable merchants of Haslingden & Bury.
Uncle Moses is the at the reins on the cart.
I haven't been able to find any information about the fruit & veg merchants, or where the building in the photo was.
I would be grateful if you have any information, about the merchants or there premises.
I have attached a copy of the photo, for you and you are welcome to use it in your Blogs"

If you have any information on where this photo was taken from or further information on Holden's Fruit and Veg, it would be most welcome, please contact me at: bryan.yorke@sky.com

Please click on the photo once to enlarge, then click on the enlarged for supersize

The Blitz (70 years on!) and the Bomb Damage - Can You Help with Information?

2010-09-07T13:26:00.003+01:00

Fizle has kindly sent in the following mail:

Hi Bryan,

With the anniversary of the Blitz being marked everywhere, I wondered if you would be interested in starting a thread on bomb damage in Haslingden and surrounding areas and if anyone or their relatives remembered the experience. Also the on Laund Hey there used to be two dips which we described as 'bomb holes'. Were there really bombs dropped there at the foot of Cribden or was it just a tale?

Hope you are well and keep up the good work.

Cheers
Fizle Sagar

I remember the bomb holes (there still there!) and I was probably told the same story as you. They said that they where German bombers who had been instructed to return to Germany and decided to lighten off their horrible payload near Cribden (Laund Hey - playing field, towards the base of Cribden and alongside the footpath at the junction where you would turn right).

If anyone can help, please let me know at bryan.yorke@sky.com so I can put it on the blog!

Can we Identify this Football Team and Medal from the late 20s - 30s (Possible Bury connection)

2010-09-02T14:30:00.007+01:00

I have today received this email with the following details, asking if we can help!
Can you?

Bryan,
This is a long and complicated story, so please bear with me

A few months ago I was contacted by a lady in Blackpool. She had a photograph of an unknown football team and a gold medal, the photograph is a team photo from the late 20's - early 30's and contains her father.

She has no idea who the team is or what the medal is for. The medal has no inscription on it so fails to give us a clue.

However, I placed photo's of the team and the medal on our website hoping somebody would turn up a clue in order for us to identify it.

This morning I had an email from a Bury supporter who claims to have a similar medal, in fact he states its identical - only his has been engraved and was from Haslingden Primitive Methodist Football Club.

So, my question - can you help in identifying, either yourself or by placing them on your blog (which I have come across on Google)

Any help you can offer would be gratefully appreciated by Brenda in Blackpool.

The following is the story I placed on our website, with the two photo's attached

Can you help!!
Appeal for help in identifying local football teamThe club were recently contacted regarding her late fathers footballing career.

George Taylor was a resident of Bury and worked in Peel Mills all his life, however, he also had a passion for football and holds a solid gold medal. All we have to go on is a frail photograph, the medal and a trophy featured in the photograph.

Can anyone identify the football team, the medal (which is solid gold and bears no description) or even identify the trophy within the photograph.

The gold medal is hallmarked and after being looked at by an expert, it has been identified date wise from either 1933 or 1934.

If you can help identifying the team in the photo, any of the players in the photo, the trophy shown in the photo or the medal, please contact Gordon Sorfleet at Gigg Lane using media@buryfc.co.uk

Regards
Gordon Sorfleet
Press Officer,
Bury Football Club.

Please click over photo to enlarge, and then click again to supersize.....

Haslingden Corporations Horses....

2010-05-25T14:27:00.012+01:00

There was no rush them days… I can clearly remember when the old Haslingden Cart Horse would clip clop along Blackburn Road and down Hud Hey to Carr Hall Street, where the carts and horses were kept.

It would be in the 1950s that I remember, “Owd Jord” (or was it owd jerg? ) as he was called, probably short for Jordan. He used to be in charge of the horses and drive the cart, it was a big thick wooden cart, sort of pink coloured, not unlike “pink primer” paint. I can picture “Owd Jord”, a small stocky chap who always wore a black beret, and I remember his gruff voice has he gave orders to his horse. I can remember one of the jobs I used to see them on quite regular, and that was cleaning out the roadside drains, and the contents would go in the back of the cart and later must have been emptied at the Carr Hall Street Depot.

There were definitely two horses, could well have been three and they were stabled well within the Council building itself, the horses would walk inside by a small corridor (stone floored) until they reached their stables. I think they did away with the horses in the early 1970s.

I used to have to go through to the weighbridge clerk and you would pass the stable section, in fact now and again one of the horses would have its head sticking out of the stable door (half door), and would always welcome a quick pat has you were passing…

Also close to hand was Bert Marsden the local smithy, who had his blacksmiths at the bottom corner of the Haslingden Corporation yard in Carr Hall Street, which also cornered to the railway sidings. Bert was always on hand to sort out the Town’s horses. I spent hours down at Bert’s and he was always kept busy with horses, in fact I would have thought that he shoed most of the local farmers and other peoples horses.

Horses and horse power obviously played a major role in the earlier development of Haslingden and so here I have included a rare photo below of one of the Haslingden Corporation horses (probably from around the 1920s, and also some other photos of Haslingden businesses who again depended on horses to aide their trades. 1) taken in 1900 of Robert Berry in Bell Row, with Glovers Printworks in the rear.. 2) Walter Holland (Hollands Pies) early delivery cart, taken at the Kirk Show in Newchurch. 3) Ed Holmes with Constantine and Lindsays Cart - Ryefield Avenue.. 4) Getting ready for the Mayday Show. 5) Taylor's Butchers of Haslingden. 6) Luke Ralph - Tinsmith who had his first workplace at the Top O'th Town. 7) Richard Holmes delivery milk in Blackburn Road, Haslingden...

I also remember helping out regularly on a Saturday morning as a boy on the John Gibbons (farmer) milk cart (or float as some would call them) , of Higher Hud Hey Farm. Over the period I helped out their had been two different milkmen: Derek and then later Donald Brennan from Rawtenstall. It was great those days we would pour the milk out of big alluminium milk churns and would use measured "gill" (pronounced Jill) ladles to scoop the milk.

This is a photo postcard kindly sent in by Jim Nuttall, and shows his relation Uncle Moses Ball at the reins of the cart of W.M. Holden (Fruit and Vegetable Merchants) of Haslingden and Bury. Please click over photo to enlarge and then click on enlarged to supersize...

Haslingden Gas Works - Gas Street, off Grane Road.

2010-05-10T16:37:00.002+01:00

Haslingden Gas Works was down Gas Street which was off Grane Road, down the side of the new units which used to be Frozen Foods Works and also down by the Arran Nurseries. (Please click over photo once and then click again to enlarge to full)...

Here is a old photo....

Some Old Photos kindly sent in by Dave Rothwell

2010-02-25T10:33:00.006Z

These are some really good photos sent in by Dave Rothwell. PLEASE CLICK OVER PHOTO TO ENLARGE....

1) Walking day approx 1957 near the Loose Pulley shop on Blackburn Road - the old Wesley Church spire can be seen in the background and the Lion Ales sign over the shop door. I remember this when my uncle Dick Beech ran the shop.

2) A Motorcycle Gymkhana held on the fields where Tesco now stands near the bottom of Fields Road approx 1950-1951 - You can see the rear of Fields Road in the background.

3 & 4) Are both photos of the Sports day on the Haslingden Grammar School Playing fields approx 1939.

5) Walking day again with another angle - in the background the first shop on the left corner of Townsend Street. This was owned by my Dad at this time 1958-1959. He had decided to open another premises in addition to the one next to the post office (as described in earlier correspondence). This shop was to sell just prams and nursery goods only wilst the Deardengate shop was to concentrate on house furnishings at this time. You can just make out a pram handle in the window.

He only kept this shop for a couple of years and then sold it as he found he could not staff both shops at once. Our car can be seen parked on the corner of Townsend Street. The shop is now part of the Haslingden Discount Store.

6) Children of the St. Jame's Primary School during the flower show approx 1959, showing from within the School.

7) Again children of the St. Jame's Primary School during the flower show approx 1959, this time showing from on the school Steps.

8) Walking day on Blackburn Road approx 1959, in the background you can see a shutter on the shop next but one to the corner of Townsend Street. The shop to the left of this is the Relay Vision, to the left of that is the Pet Shop and then on the far left the double frontage of Bon Marche.

The Sixties was something else!! ASTORIA, AMBULANCE HALL, BUCCANEERS, PUBLIC HALL ETC...

2010-01-20T10:05:00.021Z

Yes the 60s was a great period with rock n roll (Bopping or Jiving) or one man bop! or Chubby Checker's twist. Some good nights where had especially:

Thursday night at the Haslingden Ambulance Hall (see photo on left) on Lindale Avenue was a great gig run by the local St Johns Ambulance with the Late George Green,and John Barnes, Alan Durkin amongst others running the show. I can remember seeing loads of local groups there including The Warriors (Later Jon Anderson/Yes fame) and also The Lionel Morten Four (Later became chart toppers as the Four Pennies and had a number one with "Juliet".

also at another period of time in Haslingden there was Beat Nights put on at the Haslingden Public Hall on Thursdays, organized by Frank Bell a Boxing Promoter who besides organizing this gig, also had events on at the Parr Hall, Warrington and the Stamford Hall, Warrington.

During its lifetime we saw many famous groups appear at the Public Hall (click on photo on left), who at the time would have been in the top ten of the charts including: Manfred Man, Hermans Hermits, Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, The Undertakers etc etc.

also in Haslingden we had the Buccaneers on Park Street in the basement of the old Haslingden Liberal Club.

Dances where also on the agenda at the Haslingden Youth Club, odd dance functions at the Co-op Hall on Deardengate, and at many youth clubs at various Churches.

Some Haslingden folk would travel to Accrington, to the Arts (Arcadium Ballroom - see photo here on left) on Knowlmere Street. I used to go every Saturday and Sunday and would regular see Jon Anderson there (Warriors and Yes) and also most weekends (Alex Hurricane Higgins) the snooker player would be there. Also there was Joe Morts (just under the bridge on Blackburn Road) run by Mary and Joe. Also there was the Majestic Ballroom on Cannon St (The Accy Con Club), here they had well known groups on Mondays and Saturdays. Also there was the Cavern Club on Milnshaw Lane, it was run by a ex Bolton Wanderers Footballer and he would get great blues acts on like John Lee Hooker and Alexis Korner and many of the Marquee Bands....

They where great days and probably the place remembered most would be the Rawtenstall Astoria, where lots of folk from Haslingden would go each Saturday for the beat nights.

And here is the Astoria story.....
Rawtenstall Astoria Ballroom December 16th 1932 – 7th February 1966 – 34 yrs

The very popular old Rawtenstall Astoria was built originally in 1932 out of the motor car showrooms and workshops of John Myerscough and Co. The new venture was the brainchild of brothers John (snr) and Noel Myerscough. The Ballroom remained under the ownership of the Myerscough family up until its sad closure on Tuesday 7th February 1966.

The original site dates back to 1839 when it had been the site of the Holly Mount School, a school for the very young employees of the adjacent local Cotton Mill called the Fold Mill and owned by David Whitehead and Sons.

The Astoria was a very special and up market venue for its day being able to boast about the purpose made sprung dancefloor which measured approx 585 sq ft and covered in maplewood and was capable of holding a capacity of up to 800 dancers. And following on in 1959 this floor was yet again resprung with over six thousand pieces of Canadian Maple laid on steel springs – and yet again the Astoria was able to boast that it was one “of the finest sprung dance floors in England. The cost of this work in 1959 was £1000.

The Ballroom opened on December 16th 1932. The very first event held at the Astoria was the Annual Ball of the Rawtenstall British Legion, when on this occasion the then Mayor, the late Ald. John Hamer welcomed the Lancashire Cotton Queen, Miss Marjorie Knowles.Those early years supported dancing almost throughout the week with learners sessions, all Modern sessions, an Old Tyme Music Night, a 50/50 night and probably the favourite the “Popular” night which was on Saturdays. As time went this levelled out and the norm seem to settle down to a regular three nights a week activity.

The band in them early days was led by Henry Haworth with Ruth Raymond on vocals, this band was later succeeded by bandleader Alan Hargreaves, then in 1950 James Heyworth took charge and under his direction The Astorians gained national fame.

In the Late 40s and during the 50s it boomed with dancers, the Astoria hosted some of the biggest band names and star vocalist around at the time such as: Joe Loss Orchestra with vocalist Rose Brennan, Johnny Dankworth Orchestra with Cleo Laine, Eric Delaney Band, Ted Heath Orchestra, Dickie Valentine, Lita Roza, Dennis Lotis, Ray Ellington with Marion Ryan, Edmundo Ross, Ken Mackintosh, Ivy Benson and her all Girls Orchestra and the list went on…..

By 1959 John Myerscough (jnr) came to elm, and thankfully he had the foresight to prepare for what was to become the mighty beat boom which arrived in the early 60s. During the early 60s up to and sometimes more than 600 teenagers would come to the Saturday night beatnights which featured lots of headline groups of the day like: The Animals, Kinks, The Who (see poster above), Small Faces, Moody Blues, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Hollies, The Mojos, Yardbirds, The Spencer Davis Group (see poster thanks to Kieran Ridehalgh ), Maurauders, Honeycombs, Rocking Berries, Unit 4 plus 2, Sounds Incorporated, Rhythm & Blues Incorporated. Their was a cramped dressing room to the right hand side, just after coming through the main entrance where the groups would prepare themselves, before having to be escorted through the noisy crowds making their way to the stage. Cost of admission those days was anything between six shillings to 15 shillings and sixpence, levied in accordance to the status of the band playing on that evening. Besides the great headliners there was also two other groups supporting. These groups also where always of a fine quality handpicked by John Myerscough himself and would usually consist of the best bands around at the time from Lancashire including Manchester and Yorkshire - amongst them where: Wynder K. Frog, The Warriors, The Dappers, The Imps, The Swinging Hangmen, The Pagens, The Avalons, The Avengers. The Travellers (Rochdale). The star attraction groups during those explosive years of the 60s where booked into the Astoria by Lewis Buckley Entertainments of Southport.

And when John Myerscough finally closed the doors in 1966, and he actually moved to Southport and took over that very Agency (Lewis Buckley Entertainments) himself.

I would like to thank Bacup Times for kindly supplying me with the photo of the Astorians & also the poster of the Astorians with Jim Heyworth & The Astorians.
http://www.manchesterbeat.com/venues/rawtenstall/astoria.php

Click over newspaper cuttings to enlarge, and also thanks to James Heyworth for kindly supplying the photo of his dad, and the photo of the Decca Record and also the photo of the orchestra (click over photos to enlarge).....

Mail added February 2009, which was kindly received from Joyce Whelan (Nee Newton) with some notes about the Band especially about her dad who was the saxaphone player and whom had also been responsible for most of the musical arrangements of the band:-

I have just enjoyed looking at the Astoria ballroom newspaper cuttings, in particular the Jimmy Heyworth articles, I was just a child in those days but my father Mr Eric Newton was a saxaphone player in the Jimmy Heyworth band during the fifties and sixties, he also did a lot of the arrangements for the band and I have seen photos of the band winning the melody maker cup, also photos of my dad taken with John Dankworth, Ted Heath etc. It is even more nostalgic to me and my family as my father died on January 14th of this year (2009), after a short illness. He was 87yrs old when he died, but he remembered the happy days of the band at the Astoria and often talked about the people and the music. I do vaguely remember going to the Old Astoria as a child, but my memories are mainly with the new building, especially a couple of re unions the band did in the eighties for charity. My brothers and I have copies of the Decca record that the band won the championship with, of course this record is very precious to us, as my dad is mentioned for the arrangements.Thank you for printing the cuttings on your page, it has been a lovely trip down memory lane for myself and my family. Regards. Joyce Whelan (nee Newton).

Mail added 18th February 2009 kindly received from James Heyworth:

Dear Bryan,

I am James Heyworth son of Jimmy Heyworth and Margaret ( nee Myerscough)

I just wanted to send you a note to say how appreciative I am for your feature of the blog on the Astoria which I discovered on the internet. Dad died in 1994 and Mum died in 2006. Her brother John Myerscough is still alive and lives in Ainsdale Southport. I have many fond childhood memories of the old Astoria and your blog enabled me to show my children nephews and nieces what the old Astoria was like.
I am currently researching the Myerscough Family tree and have got back to the 17th Century. They hail from Kirkham and were blacksmiths, John Robert arrived in the Rossendale valley as a blacksmith journey man and as you probably know set up one of the first motor car sale rooms in the country selling Chryslers. The show room was converted to the Ball room.
Thank you very much for your photographs

Regards

James Heyworth

Mail added: 18th March 2009 from John Myerscough:
Dear bee jay,

I much appreciated your article about the Old Astoria in Rawtenstall. I have been passing some of my memories on to James Heyworth (son of the famous band leader) and he is planning to send some of it on to you.

I am John Roy Myerscough, son of John Myerscough and grandson of John Robert Myerscough, the blacksmith who became a motor dealer in quite a big way. I was running the ballroom for quite a time, and booking the groups who appeared. I now live in Ainsdale. Anyone who would like to contact me can do so at john-myerscough@uk2.net.

Keep up the good work, and I may try to add more info later.

Regards,

John Myerscough.

(Here we have four photos below kindly given by Dave Haworth (Goodshawlad) which shows the great floods of the early 60s, and just shows the Astoria with their billboard advertising the Mojo's..- please click over photo to enlarge.

John Myerscough "remembers that day well. A Saturday, heavy rain, and water overflowed from the river and poured down the road at the side of the Astoria called The Fold. It started to come into the basement, where the boiler room and the gents cloakroom and toilets were. It came in through a manhole, which must have originally been for the delivery of coke, and in later times was used for delivery of heating oil. It must have got to 12 or 18 inches deep in the basement during that afternoon. Eventually it subsided, and we tackled the clean-up operation to be ready for the dance in the evening. Amazingly, a member of the public came downstairs and offered to help us with the clean up. I can't now recall who else was there helping.
Anyway, we were able to open for the dance - I see from the poster outside that it was The Mojos appearing, though I would have said Unit 4 + 2, but my memory must be wrong".

Here we have a very old photo (Click over photo to enlarge) kindly sent in by John Myerscough via James Heyworth showing when it was the Myerscough Garage before it was converted to the Astoria. Also below this we have another photo sent in by Peter Fisher (August 2010) of again when the Astoria was a garage!! and the bottom photo is again of the Astoria, but older still. (thanks also for this one Peter) Below we have the following replica "Astoria flyers" which I have been so kindly given by Kieron Ridehalgh. Please note that the one with the Clayton Squares headlining was the final dance held at the Astoria before its sad closure a few days later...

Click over flyers to enlarge.....
All gone now! and this below is a more recent photo showing the Old Fold Garden on the actual Astoria Ballroom site and also a plaque to commemorate.......

Old Advert for Cordingleys....

2009-12-19T10:54:00.001Z

Thanks to Ken Sedgwick for kindly sending in this old Cordingleys advert. (There are lots of old adverts being put on shortly, please keep checking out "adverts and documents" under separate heading in left side bar.........

Swinnel Brook - In the late 19th and Early to mid 20th Century, it was probably the Towns most important asset....

2009-12-06T15:50:00.913Z

(Please click here to see larger map, then when loaded click yet again). This is a map I did in the 80s showing the approximate route the Swinnel Brook takes, and also to summarize its very importance to our local community, especially so in the 19th and 20th Century, providing water to keep our many mills running and in doing providing employment for the many. (Thanks to John Simpson for kindly checking over this map in the 80s and also for making some additions at the Sunnybank/Albion Mill end)

The Map is far from being in scale, but does at least give a approximate indication to the route the Swinnel followed. Sadly today the majority of the Swinnel is now culveted (and in part has more recently gone through some slight deviations from it's original watercourse), and prior to the 1970's, quite a lot of the Swinnel was then "open", whereby today it is mainly covered and encased within concrete pipes or open culverts channelled in concrete with concrete side bankings.

During the 50s and 60s there where many naturally open areas of the Swinnel, as I remember the 6ft wide brook bore much beauty with areas along its route showing off it's long flowing mosses and various chickweeds wavering backwards and forwards within its fast currents, also marigolds a plenty. There where also areas of the brook where we would catch "Sticklebacks and "Bullheads" and put them in jam jars, also but rare we actually caught "catfish", even brown trout was seen now and again, and sometimes we would fish the calmer, more settled waters of the lodges, of which some bore perch and roach and most of them had good stocks of goldfish (or golden orfe). It wasnt that the lodge owners allowed fishing, you had to do it quite "sneakedly" from parts they could not see you!!

There were at least 12 mills, and could probably have been more, which depended on the Swinnel Brook for their survival, and most of these mills had lodges (water catchment and holding areas). I can remember most of these lodges, although nowadays there are few survivors, with most now having been filled in long ago, although if you look carefully, there is still plenty of evidence of where these lodges once stood. There were even more mills also further along the valley bottom towards Camms and the Helmshore district, which again operated in this area at one time purely, because of the necessity of being close to the Swinnel or the River Ogden. The Swinnel joins into the River Ogden just north of the Camms (See above photos and click on to enlarge). Going back to the beginnings, The Swinnel starts from its highest point on Cribden Moor lying

East to Sherfin Clough, and from there makes its course directly West and down the Clough into what was the Hazel Mill Lodge.

From leaving Hazel Mill it then did a 45 degrees and turned South going directly down to the far NE corner of Worsley Park, where it then makes another full 45 degrees and comes west again to the opposite NW corner of Worsley Park, here it again goes at 45 degrees South and heading along the park almost parallel with the road. After some 75 yard it then went under the main road and came out the other side into what was (a large open field area where W.H. Shaws coal merchants used to store their small 3/4" coal chippings which where used to keep the local factory boilerhouses going - they would access this area from Brook Street. The area these days are large corrugated warehouses or units and part of the Hud Hey Industrial area). After crossing under the road heading West for a further 100 yards, it then turned 45 degrees East for yet another 100 yards and here met up with the underground culvert, beneath Brook Street of which also other waters joined up here which had originally collected from high up and further along the Cribden Moor and also from the Duckworth Clough Areas, (Before reaching here (Brook St), and on its way down to here water was also collected within the two further lodges which were for Duckworth Clough Mill. The lodges are still there today and up until about 15 years ago they did contain some beautiful large Carp.) and these waters routed down Duckworth Clough Road and then under the main Blackburn Road (at Worsley Park entrance), and continued via Brook Street, where here they joined up with the Swinnel).

Going back to the course of the Swinnel and just yards before it met up with the culvert in Brook Street, where it was still "open", and there was a sluicegate to the right hand side which could be opened as needed to allow waters to divert into the Clough End Lodge which ran parrallel with Brook Street and Hud Hey Road (this is now filled in and a large car park area).

Where the waters meet under Brook Street, they then carry on almost following the line of Brook Street and still underground cross the main Hud Hey Road and keeping underground enter the East side of what was the Haslingden Council Yard . The old underground culvert here almost follows the boundary wall of the old Council Yard from its North East, right through to its South East corner, and at the far SE tip then re-appears once again in the open (See photo above left and click over to enlarge). After a further 100 yards you can still see the evidence of the old "sluicegate" which allowed waters at this point to be diverted to the Albert Mill Lodge as and when necessary (see photo above right and click over to enlarge).

Also at the far end of the Lodge another watercourse crossed under the cobbled road and then back again and crossed the road yet again, which lead into another lodge which was for the Victoria Mill.

Now retracing and going back to the "old sluicegate at Albert Mill" we now carry on with the main Swinnel watercourse which now drops and goes under and re-appears a few yards further along, at this point it is now "modern day open culveted and set within concrete" and this then continues to follow a almost parrallel line with what used to be the Railway. (nowadays, what was the old railway is the by-pass - Southerly traffic side). until it almost reaches what was Booth Road (or what was the Station goods yard), and here it goes underground again and rejoins its original watercourse at the East side of what was the North Hag Tunnel.. some 200 yards on..

Its worth noting that the water course has been altered from its original course here (near Albert Mill lodge entry), where it used to run straight under the railway track to the other side, and then continue flowing along the South East boundary of Martincroft Farm until it reached the Station area where it then went underground and crossed under the Station and over to the SE side, coming out and showing itself to the East of North Hag Tunnel). And the brook came into view yet again, where it came out from the culverts at the junction of Donkey Row (Bridge Street), and before long (after only maybe some 20 yards) it again dissapeared under the Commercial Mill, alongside the boilerhouse (this area was then the main route into Carrs and called (Commerce Street).

The brook came out at the SE corner of the Commercial Mill and also passed Paghouse Mill and then formed a further lodge (of which the brook coursed through the far side of the lodge) of Grove Mill. The lodge is now filled in but you can actually see the Swinnel at this point today (2009) and cross over its "what looks like it's original (from 50s as I remember) footbridge (see photo above).

The Swinnel carries on under Grove Mill going under what was the railway bridge, (now by pass), and came out in a lovely open area (or the East Carrs area, closeby to where there used to be a "rope works"), here it passed along in winding path in the shadows of the overlooking mature decideous trees (Click over photo on left to enlarge), and then under the main footbridge which lead all pedestrians onward from Prinny Hill to the village of Carrs which lies to the West of the Swinnel (see photo above right). It was still open at this point and bordered the West perimeter of the St. James Church Football playing fields where it went alongside the back of the large dark "creosoated timbered changing rooms", the ones we used to use when at having sports (You can just about make it out through the tree branches, on the photo above right). At this point the Swinnel probably spanned about 12ft wide. Also the cotton mill of Lamberts was just over the wall at the other side of the Swinnel (Lamberts also had a lodge to the back (or the West side) of the mill. This lodge was filled from brook waters which originated from Haslingden Moor to its West, and this brook then led on to join up with the Swinnel at around the Todd Hall Road point, SE to the corner of the Lamberts Mill.

The Swinnel then crossing under the Todd Hall Road, opened up again in the next field whilst it continued to meander its way South with Todd Hall and Underbank and Cob Castle lying to its West. It continued to follow the South course where it eventually came to the front (or East side) of Plantation Mill (off Flip Road) and then followed on underneath what was Hutch Bank Mill (no longer with us) There was three lodges at one time around these mills, though none of them are with us now, but I can remember one which was just off Flip Road and probably belonged to Plantation Mill. Most years it had a breeding pair of Mute Swans on this lodge and they got very protective within the breeding season, and where regularly known to try and attack you (thankfully from behind there 12ft perimeter enclosure. This lodge I am sure also got its water from the Swinnel. On leaving here It then coursed West and under the railway bridge for a short while until it soon reached Spring Vale Mill (on the opposite side of Flip Road), here it again went into another Lodge, from leaving here it went out and turned almost 45 degrees to the South along the side of Waterside Road. Across the road at this junction was Carr Parkers Mill or (Charles Lane Mill), they also had a Lodge.

Further along Waterside Road was the actual Waterside Mill. The Swinnel was open at this point and ran almost parallel at one time with Waterside Road, passing the bottom of the late Every and Coronation Streets and here would have been about 16ft wide, soon it was culveted under the railway line and eventually came out at Grane Road Mill. On the other side of the railway there was Flash Mill (Thos Warburton Ltd) whom also had a lodge, though memory fades, I rather think this lodge was fed by waters off the Hutch Bank rather than the Swinnel Brook.

Nowadays (2009) the Swinnel shortly after leaving Spring Vale Mill it is culveted yet again and heads off in a South West direction under the large mound of the present by pass, and crossing under the Grane Road, and coming out into the open again on the West side of what was the old Messrs. J.H. Birtwistle and Co. Ltd, Grane Road Mill, and then makes its way under the factorys and comes out again behind Holden Hall House and eventually joins up with the Ogden Brook, just North of the Camms.

From here on its the River Ogden, the Swinnel has done its work. The Ogden many years ago would have gone on to feed the Camms Mill, and just a little further downstream would have certainly fed the lodges of Higher Mill (Helmshore Textile Museum), and been responsible for the constant supply of waters needed to sustain the "water wheel" at Higher Mill and all mills on it Southbound watercourse.

The Old Conservative Club, John Street.

2009-10-21T15:27:00.038+01:00

The Haslingden Conservative Club, started out life in George Street, at what is now the IDL Club (see photo on right), and then later they moved to their purpose built club in John Street (Click on photo on left to enlarge - Thanks to Clifford Hargreaves for photo).

And this is a photograph (left) is of the actual Stone Laying at the "New Conservative Club in John Street. The photo on the right was the feature in the stairwell. The new club was built in 1909 and was demolished in 1997.

We are thankful to Mr. Fred Scott who took these photos shown below only days before the Club was demolished. (Click over photo to enlarge).

And here below is the more recent Haslingden Conservative Club in the premises of the Old Co-op Bank on Bank Street...

Since writing this, the Club has now finally closed its doors on New Years Eve 2009.

I have recently added (1st Feb 2011) this fabulous early day article kindly sent in by Jackie Ramsbottom on the move of the Haslingden Conservative Club from George Street to John Street. (please click over article once to enlarge, then click over again to supersize)

Recollections from a Graner - Mrs. Ada Barlow (Nee Nuttall) 1906 - 2000....

2009-09-08T14:02:00.002+01:00

Ada Barlow. Nee Nuttall 1906/2000. “A Graner”

My mother- in- law who died at 94 in 2000 wrote a little history of her Haslingden Grane family in 1971. Thought you might like an excerpt.
There may be a copy of her “book” in Helmshore mill’s records. I feel Chris Aspin may have known something of it. I realize there is a lot of conjecture here but years do tend to fly by and my memory’s flying with them!

EXCERPT.
…”the traffic in those days was mostly horse-drawn. There were big drays drawn by carthorses, and carriages and traps and of course the funeral horses with their black lancer plumes, Dr. Stewart, our doctor, stuck to his horse and trap to the end of his days. Dr. Harrison (always known as Dr. John), was the first to have a car in Haslingden. We all used to turn out to see him pass. May Day was a great day; all the horses were dressed up with paper flowers and little straw bonnets on their heads. Manes and tails were plaited and they were plastered with shining rows of horse brasses.
We had a variety of street criers. There was the Bellman who wore a long coat and rung a bell. People used to rush to their doors when they heard it. He relayed news items of the day. There was a fish seller. He carried a basket with his fish in and scales flung over his shoulders to weigh the fish. Also a muffin man with a basketful of muffins. He rang a tiny bell.
There was an organ grinder who ground out his tunes from his barrel organ. He had a monkey on his shoulder. Then there was a man with a performing bear: children used to rush out with their halfpennies to these two, then there were German bands.
At dusk the lamplighter appeared with his long pole turning on the gas- lit street lamps. I was in my teens before with got electric in the house.
The gypsies used to come frequently. We had the Suffragettes delivering pamphlets and talking in the road, mostly on Saturday afternoons. All this I watched with great interest behind my little garden gate. Dad used to call me Mrs. Pankhurst..
Vine House ( Warburton’s) was then in its heyday. The gardens were lovely. They employed 2 full-time gardeners and a coachman. They were famous over a wider area for their grapes and orchids. About this time George V and Queen Mary (1911?) had heir coronation. I walked in the procession which assembled in Marsden Square. I carried an outstanding basket of flowers made for me by one of the gardeners. One little girl pinched one of my roses. I was very affronted………….

Regards, joan b.

And here are more excerts from Ada Barlow (sent in by Joan on 24th Dec 2010)FROM ADA BARLOW 'S (nee NUTTALL) More excerpts The Barlow Brothers.(All born 1884-1880)
"There was a dyed in the wool Tory in Helmshore called Owd Brandwood. He was standing for the council. In those days elections were really rip-roaring affairs. It seemed he kept pigs and on voting day one of the pigs was painted blue. It made headline news and is still talked about today. No-one knew who had done it. The first time I heard about it was when I was at school. We were being told how we "breathed" through our pores. The teacher said,"Remember how the Tory pig died at Helmshore just because they could not remove the paint?". Well you've guessed it. It was the work of the Barlow brothers. They were Liberals."

"A rag and bone man used to come to the village and it was his custom to call in the pub and leave his donkey and cart a little higher up the road tethered to a gate. He had the shock of his life one day. His cart was on one side of the gate and his donkey on the other. Once again the Barlows had been at work. They had taken the donkey out of the shafts and stuck the cart on the other side of the gate and were in hiding watching the fun. They were still at it when they moved to Blackburn road, Haslingden. They had some white mice and let them run into the walls of the house. Very soon the neighbours were complaining of black and white mice.Just imagine what a handful they must have been for grandma."

"Haslingden market was very well-known in those days.People came from far and near. The stalls ran all down Deardengate near where the Big Lamp stood. There used to be a big marquee where they sold black peas and hot pies. Saturday nights it was full of customers eating their pie and peas sitting on forms which ran along the sides of the tent. The bulging bottoms were just too much for the Barlow scamps, they ran along outside jabbing with a large hat-pin.Alas, the old market was scrapped to make way for a market hall which proved to be a white elephant. The allure was the old stalls which traded until very late, lit by napthaline flares.

One Barlow brother,Frank used to organise family outings and holidays. One year they all went to Ireland and stayed in a farm near the Giants' Causeway. The farm must have been pretty primative. Some of the rooms were divided by thin curtains. Frank's sister,Ruth and her husband shared a "room" with a curate and his new wife. They guessed they were honeymooners and put health salts in their 'jerry'. Luckily they had a sense of humour and enjoyed the joke with them!"

These lads were possibly born in Hollin Bank or Helmshore. Does that count them out as true Graners?
Joan.

Haslingden Grammar School.

2009-08-19T10:29:00.080+01:00

It is thought that this early cap badge was issued by the Haslingden Secondary School, (later called the Haslingden Grammar School)...

Here we have a full school photo (kindly supplied by Ian Paterson) and I think it is from around the 1940s to early 1950s.. (click over photo to enlarge)

Clifford Hargreaves has kindly sent in a copy of the "Speech Day" Programme for 1949 (Click over pages to enlarge)

Joan Merrill has kindly sent in a copy of the "Speech Day" Programme from 1957 (Click over pages to enlarge)

The Grammar School also used to have its own Magazine called "Ex Montibus"... here is a example:

And here are two photos of the Sixth Arts, the first one from 1959 - 1960 and the second photo on the right is from 1960-1961: (Click over photos to enlarge)..

Do you remember the old school blazer badge?
Here is a old postcard showing the school and the Ebenezer Church

Here is a old photo of Haslingden Grammar School Cricket Team from 1949:

Here is a photo from Christmas 1931...

Two more old photos of the school - please click over photo to enlarge:

Clifford Hargreaves has kindly sent in the following photos of the Old Grammar School prior to and during demolition... (Click over photos to enlarge)

Nick Daley of Valley Cleaning Services, has kindly sent in several School group photos of which because of their width size, I have had to cut them down into smaller photos (eg: 6 or 8 smaller photos = One group photo).
If you click on the following links it will take you to the photos, and then click over the photo to enlarge to 60%, then if you require to enlarge to full go to top left hand corner and click on "high resolution image".

Please click here to see the - May 1965 Group Photo

Please click here to see the - Sept 1962 Group Photo

Please click here to see the - Oct 1969 Group Photo

Please click here to see the - June 1975 Group Photo

Please click here to see the October 1957 Group Photo

Please click here to see the September 1959 Group Photo

And here is a photo added on 26th Nov 2010 of the Annual Sports Day presentation on June 20th 1928.

The Mayors of Haslingden and the last Borough Council

2009-06-20T15:04:00.103+01:00

Here is the final photograph, taken in 1974 of the Council Members and Officers of the very last Haslingden Borough Council shortly before Haslingden was swallowed up into the newly formed Rossendale Borough Council. (Click over photo to enlarge)..

Front left to right seated:-

Alderman Gertrude Warburton C.C, Coun. Dorothy Ramsden, Town Clerk: Robert MacMillan, Mayor: Alderman Donald Butterworth, Coun. Tom Fisher, Alderman Roy Woolley.

Second row:- Coun. David Tennant, Mr. H. Uren (Steet Lighting Supt), Mr. W.D.Y. Curruthers (Director of Parks), Mr. George Worswick (Mace Bearer and Mayors Attendant), Mr. W. G. Wood (Borough Engineer & Surveyor), Coun. Bryan Yorke, Mr. C. Billings (Borough Treasurer)

Third row:- Coun. Tom Wellock, Mr. Maddocks (Baths Manager), Coun. Jim Rishton, Alderman Bert Bussey, Coun. Jack Stafford, Coun. Donald Valentine, Coun. Tom Illingworth, Coun. Geoffrey Hallam, Coun Ivor Cooper, Coun. Geoff Ormerod, Coun. Hubert Sanderson, Mr. Jack Hollows (Chief Public Health Inspector)..

Our last Mayor was Alderman Donald Butterworth (See photo below)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION

From the 1st April, 1973 the present Borough of Haslingden will consitute a part of a new District Council of Rossendale comprising the present Boroughs of Bacup, Haslingden and Rawtenstall, the Urban District of Whitworth and a part of the Urban District of Ramsbottom....

The Roll of Honorary Freemen of the Borough of Haslingden was bestowed upon the following persons and Regiments:
Coun. Thomas Bewley Hamilton J.P. (1895),
Oliver William Porritt, Esq, J.P. (1921)
Ald. Henry Worsley J.P. C.C. (1929)
Ald. John Law J.P. (1929)
Major David Halstead, D.L., J.P., T.D. (1936)
Miss Annie Knowles (1947)
Ald. Jeremiah Lord, J.P. (1947)
Ald. Arthur Schofield Watson J.P. (1947)
Ald. W. Boyson, M.B.E., J.P. (1957)
Ald. T. Brown
The East Lancashire Regiment (1964)
(Extended to the Lancashire Regiment PWV) (1966)
(Extended to the Queen's Lancashire Regiment) (1970)
Ald. Mrs. G.M. Warburton. C.A. (1970)
(Click over highlighted names to see photo)

PAST MAYORS OF THE BOROUGH (dates in brackets represent time in office) These are replicas of the beautiful photos of the town's Mayors which once proudly adorned the upper walls of the Council Chamber of the Municipal Offices on Bury Road, which was also previously known as West End.

Councillor T.B. Hamilton (1891-1894) The First Mayor and also Mayor again in 1907-1909...
First Technical School established in 1892. Formation of the Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Bacup Outfall Sewerage Board on the 20th July 1894.. West View purchased for Municipal Offices in 1894, subsequently extended for use as Municipal Offices, total cost £4,600.

Alderman Thomas Collinge (1894-1895)
The Second Mayor

Borough consituted one Township to be called the Township of Haslingden by order of the Local Government Board dated the 21st of November, 1894..

Councillor John Law (1895-1897)
The Third Mayor
Represented the Borough at the reception held at Buckingham Palace by Queen Victoria on the celebration of her diamond Jubilee on the 22nd of June 1897. Certain powers of Parish Council and Vestry transferred to the Town Council in November 1895. Council decided to commemorate Diamond Jubilee reign of Queen Victoria by providing a Public Park.

Councillor A. Smethurst (1897-1898) The Fourth Mayor Horse Ambulance, provided by the Police from public subscriptions, presented to the Borough on the 12th of January, 1898. Joint Outfall Sewerage Works, at Ewood Bridge, opened on the 17th October, 1898. The Mayor opened Penstock of a settling tank. Public Hall purchased from private Company; later altered and improved and Fire Station provided...

Alderman Aaron Holt (1898-1900) The Fifth Mayor

On the outbreak of War in South Africa in 1899, the Mayor opened a Fund for dependents of local men serving in it. Bury and District Joint Water Board formed in 1900. Haslingden becoming one of the Constituent Authorities. Technical School and Free Library decided upon in February 1900. Low Level Intercepting Sewer completed..

G.A. Smith, Esq. (1900-1902) The Sixth Mayor

Following upon the death of Queen Victoria, Edward VII was proclaimed King in the Market Place at noon on the 20th of January 1901, by the Mayor. Victoria Park opened by the Mayor on the 22nd of June 1901; site given by John Stott Esqre., G.A. Smith Esqre., (Mayor)., W.H. Smith Esqre., J.P., Miss Sarah Stott and Mrs. Mary Haworth. Cemetery Gates opened on the 30th April, 1902, by Alderman J. Law; Cemetery Chapels opened by Councillor J. Maxwell. In commemoration of the Coronation Year, the Mayor presented a Shelter for the Park in 1902. Peace Celebrations, after the South African War, on the 2nd of June 1902. Corner Stones of Technical School laid on the 26th of July 1902, by Sir W. Mather, M.P., and the Mayor...

Councillor J.C. Witham (1902-1904) The Seventh Mayor

Administration of Education Act, 1902, taken over by the Town Council, in February, 103; Elementary School fee abolished. Fountain in the Victoria Park erected by the Haslingden Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd., in Memory of Henry Ashworth Esqre., Manager, handed over on the 9th May 1903. Band Stand presented by John Stott Esqre., opened on the 19th June 1903. First sod cut inconstruction of Ogden Reservoir at Grane on the 10th August, 1903. Technical School opened by Sir Henry F. Hibbert on the 17th September 1904...

Councillor James Barlow (1904-1906) The Eight Mayor

Haslingden Institute handed over to the Borough for use as a Free Library in November, 1904. Secondary School opened at Technical School on the 11th of September, 1905. Newspaper and Periodical Reading Room at the Free Library opened by Alderman Hamilton on the 4th of November, 1905. First Corporation Bill for acquisition and electrification of Tramways and other purpoases received the Royal Assent on the 20th of July 1906. Lending Department of the Free Library opened in September, 1906; scheme carried through partly by gift of £2,500 by Andrew Carnegie Esqre..

Councillor Robert Taylor (1906-1907) The Ninth Mayor

The Mayor and Mayoress, in February 1907, entertained 2,984 children attending the Secondary School, the Private Schools and the Elementary Schools of the Borough, to Tea and Concerts. The Mayor and Mayoress were afterwards presented with an illuminated Address by all the Head Teachers.

Alderman T.B. Hamilton First Mayor (As Councillor 1891-1894 & As Alderman 1907-1909)

Helmshore Motor bus service first commenced in November 1907. Purcase of Accrington Corporation Steam Tramway Company's undertaking in December 1907. Clock Tower in the Park, erected by public subscription in honour of the late Alderman W.H. Wilkinson, handed over to the Corporation on the 4th of July 1908; total cost £260. Reconstruction and Electrification of Tramways completed in the Borough on the 5th of September 1908. Bowling Green at Victoria Park opened on the 1st of May 1909. Helmshore Council School opened by the Mayor on the 2nd of June 1909. Helmshore Motor Bus Service discontinued on the 24th of July 1909. Refuse Destructor commenced work in July 1909. Bowl House at the Park presented by W.H. Smith Esqre; J.P. in September 1909. Museum opened at the Free Library in October 1909. Higher parts of Haslingden supplied from Scout Moor Reservoir in October 1909....

Alderman H. Worsley (1909-1911) The Tenth Mayor

Following upon the death of King Edward VII, George V and Queen Mary were proclaimed in the Market Place by the Mayor on the 9th of May 1910. Decision to purchase Electricity in bulk from the Accrington Corporation in August, 1910. Coronation Celebrations on the 17th, 22nd and 24th of June, 1911. Open Access System for the Free Library adopted on the 19th of July, 1911.

Councillor J. T. Warburton (1911-1913) The Eleventh Mayor

Inauguration of the supply of Electricity to consumers on the 22nd of December, 1911. Lee- Warner Estate purchased in February, 1912. Ogden Reservoir at Grane put into service on the 14th of March 1912. Rejoicings on visit to Haslingden on the 9th of July 1913, of Their Imperial Majesties King George V and Queen Mary, during their Lancashire Tour.

Councillor Tom Baxter (1913-1915 & 1924-1925) The Twelfth Mayor

Following upon declaration of War against Germany on the 4th of August, 1914, the Mayor and Mayoress organised the resources of the Borough to aid the Government and to sustain the Forces on Sea and Land. Public Hall in occupation as Auxiliary Military Hospital from October 4th, 1914. Motor Ambulance Car presented to the Borough on behalf of Subscribers by the Mayoress, on the 24th of January, 1914, to celebrate the visit of Their Imperial Majesties King George V and Queen Mary to Haslingden in July, 1913. Inauguration of the "Baxter" Motor Fire Engine on the 10 of March, 1915. Central Council Schools opened by the Mayor on the 21st of August, 1915. Helmshore War Memorial Gardens taken over by the Town Council on the 6th of May, 1925. First Electrical Exhibition in May, 1925. First Health Week in October, 1925.

Click over the following names to see photo image, then click over photo to enlarge:

Councillor Ervin Russell (1915-1917 and as Alderman in 1923-1924) The Thirteenth Mayor

Councillor David Halstead (1917-1919) The Fourteenth Mayor

Councillor J.H. Anderton (1919-1921) The Fifteenth Mayor

Councillor L. Greenwood (1921-1922 & (as Alderman in 1922 - 1923) The Sixteenth Mayor Tower and Clock and Quadrant Well at Helmshore memorial Grounds unveiled by Mrs. W.J. Porritt and Mrs. H. Porritt in June, 1922. "Greenfield" loaned to the Guardians of the Haslingden Union and opened by them as an Orthopaedic and Massage Centre from September, 1922. Grass Tennis Courts at Victoria Park (the first Public Courts in the Borough) opened on 7th of July 1923, by the Mayor..

Councillor J. Lord (1925-1927) The Seventeenth Mayor Helmshore and Grane Motor Bus Services supplemented by purchase of a Second Saloon Bus in December, 1915. Hard Tennis Courts opened at the Victoria Park in the summer of 1915. Hard Tennis Courts opened at the Greenfield Memorial Grounds in August, 1915.

Councillor W. Greenwood (1927-1928) The Eighteenth Mayor In December, 1927 the First Speech Day since 1914, was held at the Grammar School. By agreement (in December 1927) between the Managers, Baxenden Wesleyan Elementary Day School became a School for Seniors (11 to 14) and Stonefold Church of England Elementary Day School a School for Junior children for the area served by the two Schools. Mr. Walter Musgrove, Town Clerk from the Incorporation of the Borough in 1891, died in April 1928, he was succeeded by Mr. T. Oldroyd, Deputy Town Clerk of Bury. The Council in July 1928, decided to promote a Parliamentary Bill for powers to run omnibuses within and outside the Borough.

Councillor W. Halstead (1928-1930) The Nineteenth Mayor On the 10th May 1929, Royal Assent was given to the Haslingden Corporation Act, 1929. In December, 1929, the Freedom of the Borough was conferred on Alderman Henry Worsley J.P., C.C., a member of the Town Council for thirty-one years, and on Alderman John Law, J.P., who had been a member for twenty-three years. Seventy-eight houses were erected by the Council. The widening and improvement of Private Lane was commenced on 1st April 1930. The estimated cost of the scheme was £32,400, a grant towards this cost being made by the Unemployment Grants Committee. Following upon the re-organisation of the Public Library, Miss Lilian Hurd of Coventry, was appointed Librarian in April, 1930. The Electric Tramway Service between Accrington and Rawtenstall was replaced from noon on the 1st May, 1930 by a Joint Motor Omnibus Service operated by the Accrington, Haslingden and Rawtenstall Corporations. The Refuse Destructor was closed in August, 1930, the Council having adopted the controlled sytem of tipping. Worsley Park was opened in September, 1930, by Alderman J.Lord, J.P., Chairman of the Parks Committee. The Park was acquired by the purchase of Stone House and grounds, Clough End Farm, a cottage and approximately twenty-one acres of land, from Mr. Harry Worsley for the sum of £3,000. In September and October, 1930, the Council purchased Private Land and Brickhouse Farms. The total area of the Farms was approximately sixty acres. The Borough held its second Health and Baby Week in October 1930.

Councillor A.S. Watson (1930-1932 & as Alderman 1941-1945) The Twentieth Mayor

Councillor W.H. Baxter (1932-1933) The Twenty First Mayor

Councillor F. Brandwood (1933-1935) The Twenty Second Mayor

Councillor W.F. Thacker (1935-1937) The Twenty Third Mayor

Alderman J.T. Sutcliffe (1937-1939) The Twenty Fourth Mayor

Councillor J. Kirby (1939-1941) The Twenty Fifth Mayor

Councillor W.H.J. Cowpe (1945-1946) The Twenty Sixth Mayor

Councillor J. Moran (1946-1947) The Twenty Seventh Mayor

"First descendant of Irish Immigrants to become Mayor of Haslingden in 1947. James Moran was born on 12th September 1892, and baptised at St. Mary's Church a few days later. His parents John and Ann (nee Molloy) were Irish immigrants who married at St. Mary's in September 1890. He was educated at St. Mary's School. In 1913 he joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade and was to continue his membership of this body until his death 40 years later in 1954. In 1939 he was awarded one of the Brigades highest honours, being made a Brother of St. John of Jerusalem. At the outbreak of the 1st World War he and many members of the Haslingden St. John Ambulance Brigade volunteered for service with medical units. James or 'Jimmy' as he was locally known, served in the Royal Army Medical Corpos throughout the war and saw service in Gallipoli, Italy and Salonica. James Moran was a well know local chiropodist and was a member of their governing body. In August 1940 he was nominated by the Irish Democratic League Club to serve as an Independent Councillor for Town Ward on Haslingden Borough Council (elections had been suspended during the war years). In November 1947 he was elected Mayor of Haslingden, the first descendant of Irish immigrants to hold office as the town's chief citizen. He died at the early age of 61 years in the centenary year of St. Mary's Church to which he had given a lifetime of devoted service"...

Councillor Joe Ratcliffe (1947-1950) The Twenty Eighth Mayor

Alderman F. Slater (1950-1952) The Twenty Ninth Mayor

Alderman T.B. Hargreaves (1952-1953) The Thirteith Mayor

Councillor J.W. Holgate (1953-1955) The Thirty First Mayor

Councillor W.J. Everett (1955-1957) The Thirty Second Mayor

Councillor W.B. Fisher (1957-1959) The Thirty Third Mayor

Councillor John Walsh (1959-1961) The Thirty Fourth Mayor

County Councillor Mrs. Gertrude Warburton (1961-1962) The Thirty Fifth Mayor

Councillor F. Mitchell (1962-1963) The Thirty Sixth Mayor

Councillor Tom Waller (1963-1965) The Thirty Seventh Mayor

Councillor Albert Bussey (1965-1967) The Thirty Eight Mayor

Councillor Hubert Sanderson (1967-1968) The Thirty Ninth Mayor

Councillor Roy Woolley (1968-1969) The Fortieth Mayor

Councillor Donald Valentine (1969-1971) The Forty First Mayor

Councillor Tom Fisher (1971-1972) The Forty Second Mayor

Alderman Donald Butterworth (1972-1974) The Forty Third Mayor

Here is a vintage photograph of the first Mayor and Corporation of Haslingden in 1891. (Please click over photograph to enlarge)..

Here is a photograph of the Haslingden Borough Council for the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King George V - 6th May 1935 (Please Click over photo to enlarge)..

MUSBURY AND ALDEN BY JOHN SIMPSON

2009-06-03T09:31:00.003+01:00

There are still some copies left of "Musbury and Alden", available at £10.50 per copy directly from John at jno61@yahoo.co.uk

The Medals - St Mary's Football Club....

2009-05-13T14:51:00.025+01:00

Can anyone remember "The Medals" from the 1950's. It was a local football knock-out competition held annually on the St. Mary's Football Club at Prinny Hill (Click over photo to enlarge). Although I say from the 50's, thats when I remember it from, although I am led to believe it may have well started in the 1930s or 1940s... and it had become a very well established event. Usually, during the competition, one or two games would be played in the early evening (utilizing both pitches), and this would go on each evening for up to a month or so.

On the left is a photo from 1961, the final between Grane Villa Vs Collopy's (Collopy Bros & Nephews - An Irish Family that settled in the Stacksteads area). (This photo shows George McKenzie held aloft with the cup - others in the photo l to r: at the back are: John Barnes, Derek Gill, George Mckenzie & Davies, and l to r: at the front are: Bill Brandwood, Terry Navin, Brian Raynor, Bill Parker, Tommy Egan and Jack Austin)

The Teams that played in the "Medals" came from all over the Valley and Accrington as well, though in the main they where local businesses whom had got a team together specially for the event and included teams from J.H. Birtwistles or L. Whittakers etc.... also there where more permanent local teams involved such as Grane Villa and Helmshore United.

It was customary on the final to get hold of a celebrity to present the prizes, and as I remember the last one to come was Ronnie Clayton (of Blackburn Rovers and England). On St. Mary's there was a modernish brick built changing room, which you met as you entered the pitch and this is where the Medals would be presented from, at the end of the Competition.

The photo on the left is from the 1961 final when the Collopy Brothers and Grane Villa battle it out in the mudded goalmouth.

The photo on the right is the presentation being carried out to Grane Villa. Ald John Walsh handing over the tropy to George McKenzie. (from l to r: Joe Moden, Ald John Walsh JP, Jim Healey, Boy at side of trophy we think is Tony Gallagher at about 10 years old, Roy Britland, George McKenzie receiving Cup, Tony Morgan, Brian Nuttall, Dennis Grenaghon, Tommy Egan, Jimmy Ormerod, Terry Navin)

I am informed that the "Medals" finally stopped in 1969 with the Final between Franklands vs J.H. Birtwistle, and Franklands ended up the Winners. Some of the players in that great final were, for Franklands: Dave Blackledge, Jim Mead, The late Roy Webb and John Flynn and some of the players for J.H. Birtwistle were: David Harvey, John Willan, Paddy Clarke and Jeff Wolfenden.

This was the last competition because before long the area was to be taken for the building of the new by-pass and other redevelopment of the area.

If you can remember the medals, and better still, if you have some details or special memories or photos or other memorabilia and would like to contribute to this short article, please let me know and I will try and get it published...

Both Haslingden St. Marys and Haslingden St. James Football pitches where next to one another down on Prinny Hill and they where each enclosed in part by timber railway sleepers stood on end with pointed tops... I played on the St. James field many times with the school and can remember the changing room which was a timber building which was situated to the Swinnel Brook side of the field. Lamberts Cotton Mill was just over the brook and wall..and further back was the village of Carrs.

Cash had a lovely house closeby to both football fields and it got the nickname "Ponderosa"...

Thanks to Martin Molloy for providing the three "Medals" photos and naming the players etc.

James Berry - British Hangman's visit to Haslingden Public Hall...

2009-05-11T10:25:00.019+01:00

James Berry (1852-1913) Here is a flyer from 1892, promoting a visit to Haslingden Public Hall by the ex British Hangman, James Berry..... (Thanks to Kieron Ridehalgh for copy of this flyer..Click over flyer to enlarge)

Harry Allen (1911-1992) During the 1960's I had a spell working via agency for Singer-Cobble at Blackburn, and this big guy who was the security man came to the Office now and again, and I can remember someone saying to me "Do you know who that guy is (the security man), it's Harry Allan - the last hangman of Great Britain" ...... and even at that time I believe he was still paid on retention for such services should they ever be called for... I was to see him again, not far away from Haslingden, he resided, just over Grane Road in the cottages on "Kendal Way" which run alongside the Pack Horse in the direction of Belthorn....