Blog for Monday 27th August to Sunday 2nd September

Monday 27 August (Bank Holiday)
No Mayoral duties today so time to catch up on the normal things that get left when I am busy. I have been growing chillies in my conservatory and they are now starting to ripen. My red 'Hot Wax' pepper chillies are much bigger than the supermarket ones flown in from Africa. My orange 'Habanero' chilli pepper, although small, carries a very hefty punch.

Home grown Chillies and cherry tomatoes

When I tried one which I roasted in the oven I had to drink loads of cold water to cool me down. I have also grown cherry tomatoes which have done well.


Tuesday 28 August
Today we completed the 7th section of the Pendle Way which we have been doing on recent Tuesday afternoons.

Off from Newchurch on our Pendle Way walk

Today's walk was from Newchurch, over Pendle Hill to Barley and we are in Witch Country. We again had a good group of walkers, including for the first time, one of our Pendle Council officers, Brian Astin the assistant chief executive. The 5 mile walk took us up Ogden Clough and Boar Clough to the Trig Point at the Big End of Pendle. Pendle Hill is the largest hill in Pendle and is only 51 metres short of being a mountain.

On top of the World! - Well Pendle Hill actually

On a clear day you can see Blackpool Tower and of course the stunning countryside that we have around here. In 1652 George Fox the founder of the Quaker movement stood on top of Pendle and had his ' vision', so we took the opportunity to visit Fox's Well.

A drink from history - Fox's well

This is protected by a steel cover which when opened reveals a silver tankard on a chain for everyone to enjoy the pure well water. We then went down the steep and uneven steps, which tested some of our walkers knees to Pendle House at the foot of the hill. A pleasant downhill walk through the fields brought us to Barley where we finished the walk at the car park.


Wednesday 29 August
Today we joined other Mayors from Lancashire to do the Burnley Mayor's Tour of their town. We started at Queen Street mill where we saw the mill engine and the weaving looms in operation.

At the Burnley Mayor's tour - Queen's Street Mill

Following which we went to Towneley Hall for a tour including the cellers and the loft with lunch provided in the east wing. From there we went to Thompson's park where a Fun Day was going on and which several Mayor's joined in the dancing. The miniature train then whisked us round the park, only having to slow down once with squirrels on the line! From there we went to Moorhouses Brewery to see how they brewed their special beer. I had no time to sample their ale as I had to get back for a meeting with Salterforth Parish Council. This visit is part of visiting all of our Town and Parish Councils throughout Pendle.


Thursday 30 August
I had to spend a lot of time today ensuring that everything was organised for our Beating the Bounds walk planned for Sunday. And in the afternoon I watched the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) Youth League finals where teams from Brierfield Nelson and Colne competed.

MUGA league competitors

The winners were Walverden to whom I presented 'gold' medals. But all of the players got medals for being in the finals. The event which was held at Waterside is organised by Neighbourhood Management and Parks.


Friday 31 August
Today is the Pendle Walking Festival which I launched in the morning at the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford. The event was attended by around 100 people many of whom were walkers from all over the Country. In my speech I informed everyone that in Pendle we had more footpaths per square mile than anywhere else in the World! At 10.30 I set off the first of 3 walks varying in length from 5 - 8 miles, from the Centre.

A misty start at Thursden

We then drove up to Thursden where, in the mist, we set off Boulsworth by the back door walk.

A damp send off for the Colne walk

Incidentally as we were just inside the Burnley boundary we had to get permission to be there from the Mayor of Burnley. On then to set off the next walk from Colne Rugby Club, then back to my home town of Barnoldswick to set off The Beauty of Bracewell walk.

Mist over Pendle!

Just time then for a quick cup of tea before driving to Barley to take part in the Pendle in Evening Walk, this unfortunately was also covered in mist. - Mist over Pendle!

There is saying around here that is;

If you can see Pendle, its going to rain, if you can't, it's already raining!

Read the Speech that the Mayor gave to launch the Pendle Walking Festival 2007


Sunday 2 September
Beating the Bounds Day! We organise this 9 mile walk around the ancient boundaries of Barnoldswick each year. This year we walked clockwise and had around 60 walkers from many parts of England.

Liz, the Barnoldswick Town Crier sends us off in style

Liz our Barnoldswick Town Crier did a special cry to set the walkers off. In the mist and drizzle we then went along the canal tow path over tracks and fields until we all arrived at Lettcliffe Park. Here we had a special treat for everyone, our community marquee was set up for a rustic repast!

Rustic Repast enjoyed

This consisted of a rustic roll, wensleydale cheese, english apples and a bottle of Copper Dragon beer from a local brewery. Whilst everyone tucked in they were entertained by Border Patrol a local folk band performing well know songs from our neck of the woods.

Listen to Border Patrol by clicking the YouTube links;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdY-sXbITe0 sing Wild West Craven

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5Z2A3_gW6AM sing Bernulf

Border Patrol sing the Beating the Bounds song

This culminating with me leading everyone in a gusty rendition of our beating the bounds song. Walkers then set off on the next section of the walk up Lister Well Road (which is a track) over the hill and down Folly Lane.

Jacqui (Mayors attendant) and her sister Anne, meet the friendly pig at Prospect Farm

The weather had eased a little and some view across West Craven were possible. Usually you get stunning panoramic views, but unfortunately not today. Down Esp Lane over to Brogden Lane (which is the Ribchester to Ilkey Roman Road) and over to Bracewell.

Beating the Bounds walkers

On the home straight we then walked through the fields to bring us back to Greenberfield Lane and back into Victory park. Here everyone was presented by the vice chair of Barnoldswick Town Council (which this year is me) with Beating the Bounds medals. Everyone went away tired but happy and said how much that they had enjoyed the walk.