I always find information plates and boards interesting and if I see one can't resist stopping to take a look, I saw this model torpedo while cycling through Bury and it commemorated Robert Whitehead. He was an ancestor of Kenneth Whitehead of Withnell Fold. I knew the torpedo connection but not the Agatha Von Trapp link.

A Tribute to
Robert Whitehead
(1823 - 1905)
A member of the Whitehead Family of Bury
He invented the Torpedo

His daughter Agatha Von Trapp was the grandmother of the children whose escapades were featured in the film
'The Sound of Music'

Margaret Annie Walker
(1852 - 1944)
eldest daughter of Thomas Walker

Interesting clouds as I headed for my evening walk

Walking through Chorley this afternoon I noticed the recently boarded up ‘Swan With Two Necks’ public house at the bottom of Hollinshead Street. The yellow sign on the wall says ‘Award Winner Pub of the Season’

I always find it interesting visiting sites where old photos have been taken to see what changes have taken place. This view is in Croston looking along Town Road from the junction of Westhead Road and Station Road. I couldn’t get to the same view point as the photographer as it seems he got access to the bedroom window of the corner house to get high up. I stood on the wall!

Town Road, Croston, old view.

Town Road, Croston today.

While cycling through minor lanes between Great Yarmouth and Norwich I came across this ivy covered church of St Edmund, Southwood. It originally had a thatched roof but was abandoned in the 1870s and the congregation moved to the nearby parish of Limpenhoe.

Wide view from the cliffs above Dunwich looking east to the North Sea.
In the 14th century there was a further 1.5km to the seashore.

Artist's impression of the same area in the 14th century

The Orchard does excellent scones.

While cycling through Cambridge I called at The Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester. I was there to meet John Naughton for tea, scones and a chat. John's knowledge of photography and new technology meant that we had lots to talk about and 90mins flew by before we had to go our separate ways. John is is professor of the public understanding of technology at the Open University and according to his twitter profile an academic, writer, dad, grandad & photographer.
According to The Orchard website it is a corner of England where time stands still as the outside world rushes by. The Orchard is now over 100 years old, and to paraphrase Rupert Brooke, it will always remain...
Forever England.

Any crumbs are soon cleared away

This morning I'm heading out with bike and baggage on the train to Peterborough. The plan is to cycle via Cambridge to the east coast then north to Norwich

The bits of summer we had have now gone and autumnal weather is here. My Sunday evening walk is usually around 6pm and sunshine has been replaced with streetlights reflecting in the wet tarmac.
This picture was taken while walking home along Town Lane.

Today is the 15th Craft, Produce and Flower Show at St Chad’s, Town Lane. I was there at 11am to help out with the judging. mY job was to judge the photographic section. As with the Whittle-le-Woods show I still get to judge the baking and cake section. My favourite exhibit was the knitted plate of egg, sausage and bacon. A wonderful idea very well done.

Knitted breakfast

Flower Meadow

I always find it interesting re-visiting a site or building and comparing it to a photo from many years ago. These two then and now views are of the Whittle and Clayton Parish Club on Preston Road. The building will shortly be celebrating its centenary.

During the afternoon a meeting was held at Coppull Moor Lane, Coppull with Joan Dickinson and John Harrison of Chorley Historical and Archaeological Society. Also Rebecca of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Louise Martin of WYAS Archaeological Services. The purpose was to discuss the feasibility of a Heritage Lottery Grant for further investigations of the Roman Road in the area and link future work on the project with schools and local residents.

Site meeting in the field off Coppull Moor Lane

After looking at the site we retreated to the excellent café at the Birkacre Garden Centre for a very civilised continuation of the meeting with tea and biscuits.

A very useful meeting at Birkacre

The line of the Roman Road found during an excavation in the early 1960s

Chorley Unitarian Chapel

Every year over a weekend in September, Heritage Open Days celebrate England’s fantastic architecture and culture. Buildings of every age, style and function open their doors to the public and many have free conducted tours.

Chorley Unitarian Chapel
the grave of Rev William Tate on the right

As part of Chorley’s celebrations Chorley Unitarian Chapel, Park Street, was open on Saturday 8th September with a display of documents and photographs that illustrated its history. After an introductory talk by Doreen Jolly about the formation of the church and it’s very important place in Chorley’s history Doreen gave an enlightening tour of the grounds and gravestones.

The Chapel in the 1800s

Probably the most famous Minister was Reverend William Tate, minister from 1799-1836, and father of Sir Henry Tate (born 1819), founder of Tate & Lyle plc and donor of the Tate Gallery in London.

The Manse was the childhood home of Sir Henry Tate. This is commemorated on a plaque erected by Chorley Civic Society. Sir Henry was educated there at a school run by his father which helped supplement the Minister's small stipend.

The Manse

Tyne and Wear Cyclist and Pedestrian Tunnel.
Built in 1951 and the Country's first purpose built cyclist and pedestrian tunnel 275m (900ft) in length. 20,000 people per day once used the route to the shipyards and industries on both banks of the River Tyne. Any cyclist with a sense of adventure should ride through it.

Tyne and Wear Cyclist and Pedestrian Tunnel

View from my tent shortly after sunrise

Wide view of the Wearmouth Rail Bridge spans the River Wear.
The iron box girder construction was opened in 1879

Continuing my cycle ride across northern England I reached Rievaulx Abbey then on to Middlesborough and the Transporter Bridge.
The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, is the furthest downstream bridge across the River Tees. It was opened in Oct 1911. It carries the A178 Middlesbrough to Hartlepool road. Locally the bridge is simply known as the Transporter.

Rievaulx Abbey was a Cistercian abbey founded in 1132. It was one of the wealthiest abbeys in England and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538

Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge

Approaching the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge