Blog

For those who have been waiting… here is Alex’s report.

Our evening lecture series got off to a great start on Friday with a fascinating talk by Neal Charlton of the Manchester conservation architects Buttress. It was called New Buildings on Ancient Monuments and took a close look at recent new buildings the practice has constructed on well known ancient monuments, including Clitheroe Castle, Wythenshaw Hall, Helmsley Castle and Wentworth Castle Gardens. We were surprised at the great lengths the designer went on these sites and the unusual problems that Neal had to work around, such as medieval wells and hidden archaeological remains that might bring the project to a halt at any moment. An audience of thirty was entertained and informed by someone who is both an expert and an enthusiast for the built heritage.

Ribchester Roman Museum is celebrationg its centenary this year and showing off the famous Ribchester cavalry helmet and mask. This was found in the village in 1796 near what was the Eastern gate of the fort but subsequently taken to the British Museum. The helmet was voted Britain’s “second best Roman find”, behind the Vindolanda tablets, by the viewers of Time Team.

Those who have gone to see the helmet say that it is much much better than the copy which the museum normally displays.

We understand that the helmet goes back to London at the end of this month, so make sure you see it while you can.

Of course, serious professionals and academics would never utter such a question but its what the local Greeks are saying and others are just hoping…

Yesterday, we visited a host of small to medium sized barns but, today, it was time to see two really big ones. However, before we set off in the coach, Jamie Quartermaine of Oxford Archaeology North gave us a fascinating presentation called ‘Flowing through Time: the archaeology of the Ribble Valley’ introducing delegates to the impressive archaeology of the valley, from Ribblehead to Hesketh Sands. Continue reading “Historic Farm Buildings Group – Lancashire Conference – Sunday”

Six of us began at Lower Sabden Fold, observing the coaching ‘triangle’ created to allow carriages to negotiate the tricky corner and walked W along the coaching road before turning S down the track to The Old House. The site of our previous bloomery excavation was pointed out to those who had not seen it before, along with other features in the area such as the supposed rath excavated by Mary Higham and the approximate site of a supposed Bronze Age burial. Unfortunately, due to the very dull flat light, much of the ridge & furrow usually visible in this area was very difficult to see. Continue reading “Hidden Valley Field Walk 20.9.14”

The conference got underway at 9.15am at Downham Village Hall with a wonderful talk by Joan Grundy about the development of dairy farming in Lancashire from the 17th to 20th centuries and how history impacted on the design of cow sheds and cattle stalls. Joan gave us a real insight into how barns and cowsheds actually worked and how they grew steadily larger. Continue reading “Historic Farm Buildings Group – Lancashire Conference – Saturday”

People from as far away as Cornwall arrived at Downham Village Hall this evening for the  Historic Farm Buildings Group  2014 conference. There was a nice relaxed atmosphere as delegates were eager to study the beautiful Pendleside farms and barns over the next few days. Two members of Pendle Heritage were also there.  Continue reading “Historic Farm Buildings Group – Lancashire Conference Gets Underway”

Oh what an occasion.  A cruise in warm September sunshine to romantic destinations – such as Liverpool!  A dream come true.   Continue reading “Our First Friends Cruise”

Stonehenge just can’t keep out of the news…

Barack Obama in Stonehenge visit on return from Nato summit

Stonehenge secrets revealed by underground map

Stonehenge had ‘huge stone religious sibling’ just two miles away

It’s nice to see that the amateur spirit can still contribute…

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2014/sep/01/stonehenge-was-circular-well-blow-me-down

A Colne landmark which stood since 1906 finally disappeared on Thursday August 14th.  Glen Mills which over the years provided jobs for many people until the sad decline of the textile trade. The chimney was knocked down using a huge bit of heavy plant, it took only 10 mins…..The end of an era

There was not even time for tea and biscuits -this will be remedied next time- hence the slightly glazed look in our eyes!

This week the Museum welcomed visitors from Leeds University’s Summer School. The Summer School is for overseas students who would like to learn more about British history and culture. Continue reading “Museum Visitors”

Having been fortunate enough to be invited for a day trip to see some Arts & Crafts highlights organised by the Friends of The Edgar Wood Centre in Middleton, five FPH members boarded a coach bound for Cumbria. Continue reading “Arts and Crafts”

We had another good day with another set of volunteers. The area is now largely cleared and almost all the tree work is done. The final group are coming tomorrow to finish this session off. Thanks to everyone!

Today, we had a wonderful time in brilliant sunhine checking out barns and at Parson Lee, Dean Clough and Bank House Farms and two lost sheep folds on the higher land east of Raven’s Rock Farm. Continue reading “Wycoller landscape project – Barns and Sheep Folds survey”

We began to clear the kitchen garden yesterday. We first removed useful plants, to recycle in the garden, then the weeds and then cut backoverhanging branches from the trees by the little stream. It was a lovely hot day though fortunately for us, we were working in the shade.

The next work day is Thursday (tomorrow).

With only 11 participants rather than the planned 17, we arrived at Saltaire United Reformed Church at 11.30am as instructed and were ushered in by an extremely common mill girl, Ellin Dooley.  As we sat relaxing in the pews, she introduced Mrs Caroline Hill ‘who is ever so good to me, you know.  Why only this morning she gave me some lovely frilly bloomers because mine were still damp.  Look…’ as she pulled up her skirt to reveal them! Continue reading “Saltaire and a less than respectable family!”

Having recorded and measured the big barns, we are now looking at the smaller and often ruined structures. Continue reading “Wycoller Landscape Study, Recording Barns”