[B]THE RED ROSE COUNTY[/B]

Thanks Walt, I take that as a great compliment coming from you..Cheers.

Well, since the 1st Battalion, QLR, is based not far from here (thus regular direct flights from our local airport to MAN) :wink: ...


Apropos 'red rose':

- this is the coat of arms of the founder of my hometown - the earl of Lippe (nowadays princes)




- this is the coat of arms of my hometown





- this is the coat of arms of our state

Nice bit of information that Walter.

Good contribution to the thread as well.


Thanks for that 'Old Friend.'

It just happened to be a really dull day today for most of the time.

I completed my business over the Clitheroe side as well. It's been a somewhat difficult, busy and tiring couple of weeks for me on a personal basis, and from 6.30 am this morning I have not really had a minute to myself until now and it's almost 9pm.

Can't I bloody moan.

I was knackered by five o'clock this evening but had to go to the gym; took two of my grandsons who are both into amateur boxing and that kept me busy for a couple of more hours, then it was 8 pm when I was able to call my working day over and done so to speak.


{I had some timber delivered today, what a bloody performance that was, remind me to tell you about it sometime, if ever there was a case for euthanasia it was in my bloody drive today.}


Never mind, I'm still here.

I had hoped to get into one or two of the cattle auctions over Clitheroe way this last week, but it was impossible, time wasn't on my side I'm afraid. I will get there though, sooner or later and will get some photographs, they are classic events the 'Farmer's Auctions 'at times.

There were more Gypsies on the road this morning too.






They must have had a good night, the fire was still smoldering on the edge of the field, and there were a few empty cans kicking about as well.

Their horses were superb looking animals, outstanding specimens.






It looked like they had really had a big fire going, it was quite a cold night too last night and up in this particular area, it is always colder due to the exposed and elevated location.




They had certainly burned a good bit of the old tree up, that's for sure.

They had a nice 'convoy' of covered wagons lined up.




They had a small unit on the back of one of the two pick-ups which had parked up with the convoy.






Unless you know were to look, its not a common site at all coming across these 'old type' units, they are worth a great deal of money as well.


There were a couple of kids sleeping in the small tent here.





The kids have a rare old life. They can live off the land from a young age. They can all handle money and do a bit of dealing. The actual schooling dependant on how long they spend in a fixed location, but most of them 'nowadays' do receive a basic education in the three 'R's'

They can ride horses like qualified jockey's too.

You see them racing each other at times in these small units, a form of dressage but they look like charioteers.

I took the liberty of taking a few close up photographs of the units.





They certainly don't get into the habit of carrying too much excess baggage.

That's for sure.







Tooth brushes and 'Colgate' were all ready for them awakening from their slumber.


It was about 8.40 am when I took these photographs.

I had to go to Cuerden Valley today as well. That's a beautiful place.






Shady Lane another handsome stretch of a country lane.


Cuerden Hall is a splendid building steeped in history.






I took the above photograph mid morning. I was pushed for time and would have liked to have walked around the grounds to take some better photographs.


Again I can complete this mission at some future date.



The History below is taken from The:-


2007 Cuerden Valley Park Trust


The History of the Park

Whilst there is no reference in the Domesday book, the Park has a colourful history. The earliest surviving document relating to the "Manor of Cuerden" goes back to 1199, when the lands were held by the Molyneux family; they also lived in the Manor house at that time.

The Hall which we know to day was not built until after the Cuerden residence at the manor. From 1717 until 1906 the area was owned by the Banastre and Parker families. During the centuries they developed the Cuerden estate with nurseries, orchards, various plantations, meadows, fields and gardens. A major contributor was Lewis Watts, who also worked on Lymme Park, Oulton Park and Tatton Park in Cheshire. Under the stewardship of Robert Townley Parker, by 1838 the parklands had developed further into pasture fields with grazing animals, water meadows and wood plantations, creating a ?'heavily formed' landscape. In addition, a footpath was laid across the estate. Further developments saw a new drive and gates, and a reservoir from the rivers and streams running through the park.

When Thomas Townley-Parker (the last descendant of the Bansatre-Parker family) died in 1906, the estate was left to his nephew, Reginald Tatton. He constructed many flower beds as well as a pergola and gazebo, a walled garden and pond. During World War One the Tatton family set up a hospital at Cuerden, furnishing it with beds, bed linen and equipment.

During the Second World War, the estate was requisitioned by the Army as an education centre and then became headquarters of No. 4 Anti-Aircraft Command. In 1958 the Hall was purchased from the Tatton family and became the Headquarters for the Army's North West District. In the early 1960's the newly built M6 motorway cut across the northern parkland, destroying Wigan Lodge in the process.

By 1977 the Hall had become the Headquarters of the Central Lancashire Development Corporation, with new offices and car parks being established in the formal garden areas. The parkland and wider estate was developed into Cuerden Valley Park, and in 1978 plans were drawn up to shape the park to suit public use. In 1986 work had begun on developing the Hall into a Sue Ryder Home, and the Park was formally established as a Trust, by which time cycle and bridle ways and a new footpath circuit had been laid. The Park has been maintained in this format since the 1980s, with the M65/M6 junction at Bamber Bridge cutting off access between parklands in 1997, but footpath and links still exist between these areas.

In 2003 discussions took place between the Trustees and the then Park's managing agents, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, about the future management and direction of the Park. This resulted in the day-to-day control and management of the park being returned to the Park Trustee's and greater involvement by local people and stakeholders. A major restoration project was commenced at the same time, aimed at restoring some of the Victorian features on the Park. Included in the Heritage Lottery Fund bid was an eco-friendly building for the Headquarters of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust who, like the Park Trust, had outgrown their temporary accommodation on the Park. This resulted in The Barn being built with a small Park Office and a shared Visitor Centre for the Park and the Wildlife Trust.




History of 42 { North West } Brigade

The 42nd (North West) Brigade can trace its ancestry back to the end of the 19th Century, when the 11th (Lancashire) Brigade fought with great distinction in the War in South Africa.

It was here that the courage and sacrifice of the North West soldier was first popularly recognised and subsequently entered into Lancashire folklore. To this day, in memory of the Lancashire soldiers killed at the critical battle of Spion Kop, many football grounds in the North West still maintain a stand called, "The Kop".


The war in South Africa taught the British Army a great deal, not least the significance of a trained reserve. Thus in 1907, as part of what was to become known as the Haldane Reforms, the Territorial Army was formed. Initially there were 13 Territorial Army Divisions, 2 of which were formed in the North West, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and 55th (West Lancashire) Division.


Their first test came 7 years later, when in August 1914, Great Britain found itself at war with Imperial Germany. The Territorial Army was quickly and efficiently mobilised and on the 10th September 1914, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division became the first Territorial Division to leave Britain and sailed for Egypt. The 55th (West Lancashire) Division however, deployed piece meal, the 10th (King's Liverpool) Regiment went to France in October 1914 and the other battalions followed during the succeeding 6 months.


For the most part, the battalions on landing, were attached to regular brigades. Significantly throughout 1915, the North Lancashire Brigade, of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division was attached to the 51st Highland Division and played a significant part in that divisions first battle in June 1915. It was not until January 1916 that the 55th (West Lancashire) Division was brought together as a unit, but by that date, several battalions had few of their original members left.


The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division fought in Egypt, the Dardanelles, France and Belgium, while the 55th (West Lancashire) Division operated exclusively in France and Belgium, where it established a reputation of being one of the elite divisions. It won the highest number of VCs (12) among the non-regular divisions, including the only double VC to be awarded during the war, Capt Noel Chavassee RAMC, the Medical Officer of the 1/10th King's (Liverpool) Regiment - the Liverpool Scottish. In 1916 formation badges were officially approved. The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division adopted a diamond, top half white and bottom half red, while the 55th (West Lancashire) Division adopted a red rose with five petals and leaves arranged in fives on each side of the stem. Elements visible in the Brigade Badge today.


In September 1939, war with Germany broke out once again. Again the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division was one of the first TA Divisions to deploy and in 1940 formed part of the BEF in France. Prior to deployment, the division adopted a new formation badge. The diamond shape remained, but with a white centre and a red border. The Division took part in the advance into Belgium and in the hard fighting which culminated in the withdrawal to and evacuation from Dunkirk. In 1941 the formation was converted to an Armoured Division, but following a reorganisation of the Army in 1943, in preparation for the invasion of Europe, the division was disbanded. Nevertheless, divisional troops using 42 in their title, continued in the order of battle throughout the war. The 55th (West Lancashire) Division, did not deploy overseas, but instead formed part of Home Forces and as a training formation continued to use its 1916 formation badge.


In 1947, the 42nd and 55th Divisions were amalgamated to form the 42nd (Lancashire) Division composed of the 125th, 126th and 127th Infantry Brigades. The new division adopted a new badge composed of the Second World War 42nd Division diamond, with a 55th Division red rose superimposed in the centre. The Division was responsible to Western Command then based at Chester and tasked with Home Defence including assisting the Civil Power in the aftermath of a nuclear war. In 1967, Territorial Divisions and their Commands were abolished and replaced by Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve units commanded by a District Headquarters.

Headquarters, North West District was originally located at Cuerden Hall, to the South of Preston, but later moved to Fulwood Barracks, North of Preston. The District adopted the 1915, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division badge, with a superimposed sword pointing top left (North West). By the mid 1980s, training brigades were being formed and in the North West, 42nd Infantry Brigade was established with its headquarters in Chester Castle. It unofficially adopted the post war 42nd (Lancashire) Division formation badge.

In 1992, yet another reorganisation saw the disbandment of 42nd Infantry Brigade and the creation of the current 42 (North West) Brigade, from North West District with its headquarters remaining at Fulwood Barracks. The new brigade continued to wear the 42nd (Lancashire) Division formation badge.


To this day, young men and women from the North West, continue to make a major contribution to the defence of the Nation. There is no doubt that the 'Lads' and 'Lasses' of the North West today are the legitimate heirs to the 'Lads' who fought at Spion Kop, the Somme and Dunkirk.

"GO ONE BETTER"
The motto of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division 1918.




.

This is some additional information taken from The Internet regarding the superb work of art as shown below in photographic mode and information regarding the artist and Cuerden Hall.

The favourite hunters of Mrs Robert Townley Parker of Cuerden Hall, Lancashire in a wooded coastal landscape








Charles Towne from 1810 was based in Liverpool, becoming a founder member of the Liverpool Academy. He travelled widely in the north of England to paint horses and many of his clients were Cheshire and Lancashire gentry. Mrs Townley Parker (d.1878), née Emily Brooke, was the daughter of Thomas Brooke of Church Minshull. In 1816 she married her kinsman Robert Townley Parker (1793-1879), son of Thomas Townley Parker of Cuerdon Hall, Sheriff of Lancashire, and his wife Susannah Brooke. On his father's death in 1794, the infant Robert inherited Cuerdon, near Bamber Bridge, and the Brooke estate of Astley Park near Chorley, Lancashire. He was MP for Preston from 1837 to 1857.



In 1816 Robert Townley Parker commissioned Lewis Wyatt to remodel the early eighteenth century Cuerdon Hall in a Grecian style with four corner turrets: these may be echoed in the turrets in the background of Towne's painting, which sets Mrs Townley Parker's hunters in a romantic, wooded landscape. The River Lostock, which flows through the Cuerdon valley, is aggrandised to a gleaming estuary with sailing boats and larger shipping. During his years in London, from 1799 to 1804, Charles Towne had been an associate of George Morland and Morland's richly-detailed rustic scenes are reflected in Towne's delicately-painted landscape, with its subtle handling of light.


CHARLES TOWNE

Wigan 1763 - 1840 Liverpool


Charles Towne specialised in horse and dog portraiture and landscape, rendered with delicacy and detail. Towne (the spelling of his name he used after 1799) was born in Wigan, the third child of Robert and Mary Town. Charles was selling his drawings by the age of eight and at twelve walked to Leeds to work for the landscape artist John Rathbone. He then joined his brother in Liverpool, becoming a coach- and ornamental painter and japanner. He worked in Lancaster and Manchester, returning to Liverpool by 1785 to marry a widow, Margaret Harrison.



Towne exhibited a landscape at the Liverpool Society for Promoting Painting and Design in 1787 and copied from memory George Stubbs's exhibits, Haymakers and Reapers. Towne was influenced by Stubbs, another Liverpool-born painter, in his equestrian portraits, the earliest of which dates from 1792. Towne divided his time between Liverpool and Manchester, with a visit to London in 1797. There he visited the studio of Philip de Loutherbourg, whose work influenced his Highland scene The monarch of the Glen, 1797 (Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool).



From 1799 to 1804 Towne lived in London, exhibiting at the Royal Academy in those years. He became a friend of the rackety George Morland, emulating his rustic landscapes and, more unfortunately, his life. By 1798 Towne was making £600 a year, yet spent money as fast as he could earn it. He returned to Liverpool around 1810 and became a founder member of the Liverpool Academy, serving as its Vice-President 1812-13 and exhibiting there 1810-13 and 1822-25. He exhibited at the Royal Manchester Institution 1827-33. From 1813 Towne also worked as a picture restorer. He seems to have travelled widely in the north of England to paint horses and dogs, but the majority of his clients were Lancashire and Cheshire gentry. Towne died in Liverpool in 1840.



The work of Charles Towne is represented in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.

Enjoying the photos, Mathos. Thanks.

Thanks Tai Chi,

I'm running really late tonight, so just going to stick a couple on. Hopefully a lot more during the week.


A few nice ones I took earlier on this evening coming up.

I am looking forward to the school summer holidays. Only about a month to go and I'll have two or three of my grandsons with me probably two or three days a week for several weeks.

It's good fun, keeping them occupied is the hard part.

I'd been down to the gym earlier on tonight and two of them were with me. It's been a good season for amateur boxing, the summer means a lay off until the new season starts in September, getting the lads in good fettle for The Schoolboy's ABA Tournaments and Championships is hard work but is rewarding in it's own rights.

We normally do two nights a week training at the gym for them during summer, just to keep their fitness levels as good as is possible, maintain the interest and technique work is essential to coach.

So on the way home with my own two lads, (We had seventeen working out in total tonight six of those were in the adult category. You can compete in the Amateur Ranking at senior level up to 34 years of age.) I had a drive around the local country side with a view to varying the cycle rides I normally do with them during the summer.

They expressed their "We don't want to cycle to Southport or Blackpool this year"

Pity, because i enjoy those routes, but never mind, I'll do them by myself.

So I decided this little area would be excellent for them and so far, they seem quite happy with the same.




This is the canal as it runs through Whittle Springs another wonderful and picturesque area of Lancashire

It's certainly many and many a year since I cycled along a canal path, so I'm already looking forward to it.





I took the lads a drive up around Anglezarke and onto Belmont, I obviously snapped away at a couple of nice spots and have some decent photographs to show.

Well I hope they look decent anyhow.

I have a tendency to photograph roads as I am driving along. I think the reader is perhaps able to appreciate the beauty of the area and the pleasantness of a summers evening or day.

I know that driving through such beauty gives me a feeling of privilege.





They are wonderful roads.




The Canal lock looked so brilliant as well, I was going to drive up to top lock and take a few photographs of the pub there by the canal bank, Plus the lock house and a few other nice spots. However, the lads had some homework to do when they got home and they had to have their tea. You can't eat and train for boxing, or any other sport for that matter so it's always after training when they eat.

Cut the waffle out Mathos, you had to have them home early, OK.





Isn't that gorgeous to look at though.

I was telling their mother where we had been when I got them home {My younger daughter}

"Your not taking them cycling on that canal path Dad, you'll have them falling in!"


Grand isn't it..




Fantastic places in Lancashire.

I suppose the Canal Path is a little close to the water from a mother's point of view.





This was a beautiful little spot, a dark copse in the middle of the fields. Brilliant





I was quite surprised how quiet it was around there this evening, normally it would be very busy on such a beautiful night.

Must be the fuel strike and shortage.

I'm glad one of my Son in Laws has a Shell franchise.

Shut it Mathos



It's like driving from night into day, some of the trees cover the roads so thickly it's almost put your lights on time.

These photographs look better than I thought they would.







Nice cottage for sale at Limbrick.




This was a cracking pub at one time. It may well still be, I haven't been in for a few years.



There's a nice little area out back, we used to take the girls there when they were youngsters. The River runs through the back yard so to speak, There were stepping stones across the river and they loved to play there. Glass of pop or a bottle of coke, sandwich and a bag of crisps, they loved it.

Like I said I was pushed for time so I didn't give it the once over.

Next time maybe.

There aren't enough hours in the day for me.


A bit of information I gleamed from The Internet re The Black Horse.

I seemed to remember there was something special about it.

Check it out on Sugarvine.com

Looks good, I'll have to treat Flobo to a meal there and let you know how it rates.

Two things I hadn't realised until now.

1. What time it was.

2. How many photographs I hadn't down loaded yet.



Which means I have been a lot busier than I realised out there and in here tonight.

I'll leave you with these and put some more on through the week.


These reservoirs really are spectacular.

It's fantastic up here in winter too, in the snow, we used to fetch the girls up and sledge on an old car bonnet, boy did that thing move some.




There really is some water up here, mainly feeding Manchester. I have seen these reservoirs dry in times of drought, about three times in my life-time.

Not a pretty sight.




These are though, they are fantastic.

Real beauty.






I guess it gives you an idea of how much rain we get in Lancashire too.





Many years ago, I did a great deal of Scuba diving in these reservoirs. It wasn't permitted, but we used to sneak in and once you were down there, nobody really knew anything at all,
which was probably quite a stupid thing to do in any event.





It is a really nice area of Lancashire though as you can see.





This particular photograph looks out over the flatlands towards Southport and the coast line in the distance.

Mathos, your photographs are wonderful. They add to my imaginary travels through the lovely country around Lancashire.

Isn't it stunning to think of all the beauty found in the world? Here in New Mexico, some people are affronted by the harsh, rugged landscape, but the beauty is captivating, in an entirely different way.

Those English country roads are luring me. Maybe someday...

Diane
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject:




Thanks Diane, glad you are enjoying the same.


And yes, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"




There cannot be many nicer spot on the planet than the next village, not so many who live in the close area actually know of it's location in the hills either.

It's a brilliant Hamlet tucked away between a couple of valleys.

The road towards the same passes some absolutely beautiful property, the prices around here are astronomical though.


I just happened to think this was a brilliant property to show you, it was on route to the village as well.

Feast your eyes on the 'dry stone wall'





I'll take you into the village I mentioned above with the next post.

The village is called 'White Coppice' a beautiful name and it deserves it.


It was only when I thought about the village last night, I realised I hadn't gone down to the 'Cricket Ground'

It is spectacular, 'Real English' not to worry though, I will pay a return visit during the summer and hopefully get a photograph or two when they are playing.

The horses looked brilliant as I watched them in the field. I thought the photograph looked good as well. I have another, almost identical but I caught a bird on the same and a slightly wider snap shot from a few feet further back if my memory serves me right.

I'll see if I have time to down load it later and put it on board.







This is a real nice photograph taken from the heart of the village.





I simply had to take a couple of this particular point, it looked so nice, I wanted to catch as much as I could.




You want to see this area when it has been snowing too, it's like 'Fairy Land' as Flobo refers to it.

More outstanding buildings in the village. No doubt a barn at one time and converted accordingly.






The little bridge taking the road across the small village stream is also a work of art. Everything blends in so naturally.

If I had any comment to make it would only be regatrding the use of plastic window frames on some of these buildings.


Just a personal view, but I think they look awful.




The link below is quite spectacular, The readings within and the photographs are really good too.

I quite enjoyed the same.

Walking in Lancashire - White Coppice

Nestled below Great Hill on the edge of the West Pennine Moors, the hamlet of White Coppice has the most attractively set cricket ground in Lancashire. ...

www.lancashirewalks.com/page16.htm - 18k - Cached - Similar pages

The cottages below are prominently placed in the village.

Again, they seldom come empty, but when they do it's more of an auction with people bidding well above the odds to have the pleasure of owning the same.

They really are superb buildings.

St Barnabas Church as well. Spectacular building as you can see.









That, I thought, was quite an amazing bit of information.