A rather quieter week for me, but I probably needed it to catch up after the hectic time over the last few weeks. So I spent most of the morning grappling with this blog. I have now learned how to downsize photos so that they are OK to publish, using Photoshop but it is rather slow. And I also went back in the blog archives to add more pictures but it didn’t half take a lot of time.
In the early evening I attended the Pendle Vision Board. This is a group of Pendle business leaders joining together with Pendle Council to promote economic growth. At the meeting they saw the latest plans for Nelson Town Centre, which will bring the high street back through on Leeds Road/Manchester Road.
I had to go early, so that I could get to Old Laund Booth Parish Council to let them know how they fit within a successful Pendle. I also gave them a run through of the Pendle sponsored events, which are coming up.
In the afternoon we walked the last section of the Pendle Way from Barley to the Heritage Centre.
Down the hill towards Roughlee
It was a warm and sunny day and as this is the shortest stretch of the Pendle Way we had completed it by just after 3pm. Back then to the Heritage Centre for tea and cakes.
Everyone receives a certificate for completing the 45 mile Pendle Way
Here I presented walkers with a signed certificate for completing the walk together with “I walked the Pendle Way” badges. They had all enjoyed themselves so much doing the walks that when I suggested that we do the walks again, the other way, they all accepted!
even I got a certificate!
So if you want to join us on Tuesday 18th September, please just turn up at Pendle Heritage car park at 1pm.
Walking in Pendle Website by John Belbin. This link gives a report of our Pendle Way Walk;
In the afternoon I was back to the Heritage Centre for the launch of the new Pendle Tourism Forum. The event was well attended and everyone seemed to be enthusiastic about what we had to offer in Pendle. Two canal marinas are being built, and the new Boundary Mill store at the end of the M65 will have a Pendle Visitor Centre, to show what we have to offer. As tourists look for new areas to explore, they will soon see that Pendle has lots to offer. When this happens we will need more bed space such as B&B, Hotels and holiday lets. After all, for walkers, we probably have more footpaths per square mile in Pendle than anywhere else in the world!
Thursday
Time to catch up on my emails and things at home today. In the afternoon I attended the Public/Private Partnership board meeting. This is to consider reports on our partnership with Liberata who provide some of Pendle’s services. Pendle is what is called a Beacon Council for its success in building partnerships such as this and other councils come to see how we did it.
Friday
In the afternoon we went to open the new Alkincotes Park Infants Play Area. There were lots of youngsters there enjoying the new playground. I made a short speech congratulating the Friends of Alkincotes Park for coming up with the idea and Colne Area committee for providing the funding. I also commented on our excellent young Park Keepers who really care about our Parks and also put on lots of activities throughout the summer. A quick interview for 2BR radio where they also asked me about the Pendle Way and the Leeds & Liverpool walks.
Saturday
Today is our Canal Walk where around 16 of us walked the whole of the stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool that runs through the Borough of Pendle. After meeting with the owners of the Barden mill shopping outlet about their plans for a 92-boat marina adjacent to their store, we set from the Burnley boundary.
Onward to Brierfield where housing regeneration is just about to start. I lived in the Town for many years and was a councillor there for 12 of them. Also I have discovered that my ancestors lived there for a period of time in the 19th century.
Into Nelson we walked and past the Whitefield area where lots of houses have already been renovated. On then to reach Barrowford locks where we took a break at the old lock keepers cottage.
The walkers at Barrowford Locks
Our next stop was at Foulridge tunnel entrance where we had arranged a lift in boat to take us through.
Our boat lift through Foulridge Tunnel
The Jackson family we joined had come from London, Leeds and Barnoldswick. So whilst we were sailing through the 1 mile tunnel we were treated to tea and cake. Incidentally, in the last century a cow called Buttercup swam the whole way through the tunnel and is remembered in the local pub.
Into the mile long tunnel
On arriving at the other end all the walkers joined together in singing Happy birthday to Haley, one of the boaters.
We wave the boaters on their way
The next section took us on to the Anchor Inn at Salterforth where we had another break for a quick drink.
Walkers get a bit stretched out before they get to the Anchor Pub
Walkers celebrate completing 12.5 miles of the most scenic towpath in England - probably
Incidentally, in my youth, I once walked the whole 127 miles of the Leeds & Liverpool in 4 days.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal mile post
We visited Sow and Grow at Hodge House in Nelson for their Open day.
What you can grow in your backyard
Here we saw some excellent examples of the community working together to grow a wide range of garden produce. All of the staff and volunteers were very enthusiastic about their work and it was easy to see why. There was even a backyard garden to show how much anyone can grow in a small space.
The staff decide to see if they can get more for the onions in the auction
From there we went to the Pendle Triathlon at West Craven Sports Centre to join over 70 competitors. The elite competitors complete 800m swimming, 14.4km running and 33.6k cycling.
Pendle Triathlon - first woman home
This is the first time that this event has been brought back for many years, but it is now planned to make it annual.
