It was my first visit to the Monsal trail in Derbyshire and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the tunnels on the line of the old Midland Railway (opened 1863 and closed in 1968) were now open, having been closed for many years.

Headstone Tunnel

Litton Tunnel

Wide view of the Litton Tunnel

This morning I was at the funeral of Bill Ramsbotham (14 Jan 1922 – 15 Feb 2012)at St John’s Church. I attended with many of Bill’s friends to say goodbye.

Bill with pupils from Whittle-le-Woods school at the 11 Nov 2011 remembrance service by the memorial,

Bill in uniform

Bill joins his Wife and Parents

Saying goodbye to an old soldier

I was out for an early morning cycle ride and as I reached the top of the steep climb above Belmont I saw this car that had come off the road and turned over at least once. I checked and there was nobody, bodies or blood and guts inside.

Earlier this week a new cycling record was set that seems to have escaped the British news. Robert Marchand, a Frenchman, set a new world hour record of 24.251km (14.97mph) – in the Masters over 100 category. He qualified for the category by being 100years and 3 months old. The record was set on the track at the Union Cycliste Internationale velodrome in Aigle.
In the last few years, he has eased off, restricting himself to rides of less than 100km in a day. Marchand said his biggest challenge was getting used to riding on a track, something he last did in 1937.

Out for cycle ride via Standish and Shevington. In Standish I stopped briefly to have a look at a fascinating information plaque on and old building. I think its great that some authorities do things like this.

The building that used to be
the Eagle and Child

This interesting plaque gives information about a previous use of the building. It reads:
EAGLE AND CHILD
This Grade 2 listed cottage was a hostelry from 1703 until it lost its licence in 1916. It was later converted for use as a butcher's shop, but reverted to a private residence in 1993.
Behind the inn was the Standish Court House. Now demolished, it was a small building used for public meetings before the completion of the Council Offices on High Street.

Standish Community Forum
Sponsored by Wigan Council

The view from my front door this evening was amazing. The photo doesn't do it justice. The line of heavenly bodies are: top left Jupiter, middle of the line is Venus and bottom right the crescent Moon.

I was enjoying the climbin out of Borrowdale towards the high area of High Spy. The plan was to enjoy a few days backpacking on the fells. These two sunny photos were to be the last clear weather I would see for a while as the wettest 3 days for 2 years were just about to start.

The view from below Nitting Haws NE across Derwentwater
with Blencathra in the distance.

NE view from Minum Crag

Luke Berry's Excelsior Photographic Studio
c1910

The same site today

Some time ago there had been some improvements made to the Museum of Lancashire, Stanley St., Preston PR1 4YP. I called in to have a look but had forgotten it was the school holidays so only just managed to get my car in the car park. It was very reassuring to see so many children visiting and enjoying the exhibits. A lot had been set up to appeal to children with many displays encouraging people to touch the exhibits.
In my youth museums said ‘don’t touch’,
Libraries said ‘no talking’ and
Fine houses open to the public said ‘no photography’
 

Middle Stone Age microliths used as barbs for arrows and harpoons. They were made by chipping pieces of flint, chert or stone core with and antler or piece of wood to make the shape. These samples were found near Rivington Pike by members of Chorley Historical and Archaeological Society in the 1950s

Hylda Baker (1905 – 1986)

In the Dock

Hylda Baker (1905 – 1986) was a British comedienne, actress and music hall star.
One of her acts was with a silent, sullen companion named "Big Cynthia", always played by a man in drag. One of her famous phrases was "She knows, y'know!"

John Braddyll of Portfield and Whalley
(1557 - 1616)

Sir William Ffaryngton of Worden Hall, Leyland (1537 - 1610)

Probably painted by Robert Peake c1590
The Braddyll family became owners of the lands around Whalley Abbey following Henry VIIIs dissolution of the monasteries.

By Marcus Gheerearts the Younger 1593
Ffarington was Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Lancashire and Constable of Lancaster Castle.

Criminal Record Books

By the 1870s taking photographs of criminals had become regular practice. The photographs were logged in books with a full description fot he criminal. Many did not like having their photograph taken and it is not unusual to see photographs of prisoners being held down.

I was out for my Sunday evening walk along the Leeds and Liverpool canal. It had been foggy all day and I wanted to try and capture the gloomy effects in a photo. I was about to photograph a night view of the canal with ducks on the ice and the Top Lock Pub lost in the distant gloom. A couple walked out of the dark and continued towards the bridge. I waited until they walked in to the camera view and took the picture. When I got home a text message came in from my daughter asking if I’d just been taking pictures along the canal. She was one of the couple and the other was her boyfriend.

Foggy walk by the Leeds and Liverpool canal
[larger version available on Flickr site - click here]

After yesterdays visit to Bolton Art Gallery to see Harold Robinson’s amazing photographs around the Bolton area in the 1950s and 60s I thought I’d see if some of my favourite views had changed in the 50 or so years since they were taken. I was out for a cycle ride and firstly headed for Darcy Lever to search out the photo taken at the top of Gorses Steps. I found it without any problems but the snow had covered most of the cobbles. The steps were also used in the 1969 film ‘Spring and Port Wine’ with an impressive cast including James Mason, Diana Copeland, Susan George and Rodney Bewes. I continued to Edgeworth to re-photograph the view of the White Horse Pub. I returned via Entwistle Rail Station along a very icy road to Turton and Entwistle reservoir. The iced up road was so bad I had to drag by bike along on its side as I couldn’t keep it upright.

'Sheepish Dog' top of Gorses Steps 1960
by Harold Robinson

the same scent today - the cobbles are under snow and tarmac

James Mason descends Gorses Steps
in the film 'Spring and Port Wine' 1969

the steps today mostly covered by snow

White Horse Pub, Edgeworth 1960s
by Harold Robinson

White Horse Pub, Edgeworth 11 Feb 2012

With no park and ride bus service in to Bolton I left my car on the outskirts and caught the 125 bus into the town centre. A short walk took me to the Museum and Art Gallery to see the Northern Legacy exhibition; photographs by Harold Crompton Robinson (1927-2008). The photos were taken in the 1950s and 60s and gave a wonderful feel of everyday life, local events and holidays. He worked in black and white and used Leica and Rolleiflex cameras.

Harold's description:
I was riding into town on the top deck of a bus when I spied these workmen digging a trench at the Haulgh. Jumping off with my Leica M2 in hand, I managed to get the foreman's permission to take this photograph. You don't see this sort of thing anymore, nowadays they use mechanical diggers, which aren't quite as romantic!

The Trench Diggers by Harold Robinson

Contact sheet that includes
'The Trench Diggers'

The creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box.
Henri Cartier-Bresson

Homeward

Called to see the Lancashire Monochrome Exhibition at the South Ribble Museum in Leyland. A couple of my favourites were by Simon Lupton whose prints were exactly the sort of digital printing I would like to be able to do.

South Ribble Museum, Leyland - the Exhibition Room

Industrial Dawn by Simon Lupton

Coniston Water by Simon Lupton

While out for a cycle ride I had a look at the Belmont reservoir embankment works. They started in 2009 and even though they seemed to be complete the road over the embankment is still closed. I suppose it’s easier to keep people out than let them in. A throwback to the landed gentry. I’d never visited the Last Drop village near Bolton so continued to check it out. It’s not a village but a collection of function rooms and twee shops / coffee rooms, but still worth a look.

Completed but still closed

Belmont Reservoir overflow after completion

Last Drop

Drop Inn

I was then heading in the Bolton direction and followed Hough Lane as a short cut. Where it crosses Eagley Brook I came to the wonderful buildings of the old Eagley Mill. Instead of demolishing them they have been converted to residential apartments.

Mid afternoon set off to drive to Sheffield to see a gig by the Canadian folk duo Madison Violet (Lisa MacIsaac and Brenley MacEachern). There had been overnight snow in the south and midlands but not much in the north. That didn’t stop the authorities closing the Snake Pass, the way I’d planned to go, above Glossop. I took the Woodhead Pass route instead which was a few miles longer. The gig was at The Greystones, Sheffield, S11 7BS.
The support act was Pip Mountjoy, a 17 year old young lady from Richmond, North Yorkshire. She did a good 20min set.

The support act was Pip Mountjoy from Richmond, North Yorkshire

Lisa MacIsaac and Brenley MacEachern

After a break Madison Violet came on at 9pm to do a nonstop set of 90mins. Their performance was up to its usual high standard. Afterwards I bought their new CD ‘The Good in Goodbye’. By now the Snake Pass was open and I had an easy, but slightly foggy, drive home.

Lisa MacIsaac

Lisa and Brenley

Gig venue, The Greystones, Sheffield

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