Research at Lancashire Archives 27th January 2017

Two members of the Friends visited Lancashire Archives to research into the area of Craggs on Pendle Hill where the archaeology group have carried out several digs over the past few years. We didn’t find a great deal to further our research but we did discover some fascinating information. In the 1296 accounts of the

The Manor House at Ightenhill – Burnley Roger Frost

2017 was off to a good start when Roger Frost an eminent local historian introduced  us to the existence of the  Manor House at Ightenhill which was revealed  through geo-physics, examination of the land and records demonstrating that the house was built around 1180.  Although there is no evidence of how the Manor looked Roger

Christmas Party

Well, what a party that was!  27 people, plenty of food, very little alcohol but plenty of games!   In fact it were a reet gud do!  It was great to see some new faces as well as old ones (!) including some who joined with not a little trepidation that the games might prove

Minoans and Myceneans – Maggy Simms

What was not to like on our Friday Evening talk – November 18th? Maggy Simms enthralled us with images of fabulous artefacts and made ancient history come to life. The discovery of Mycenae and Knossos by Schlieman and Arthur Evans respectively was unpicked, stunning wall paintings from Tiryns exhibited and new ideas exposed. The elite

Miracle in Manchester – the Life of Sir John Barbirolli

Miracle in Manchester was our first autumn afternoon talk. Geoff Scargill gave us interesting insights into the life and career of Sir John Barbirolli and his work with the world renowned Halle orchestra at Belle Vue and the Free Trade Hall. Despite trials and tribulations his personality and skill as a conductor ensured that his

Archaeology Post Excavation Session (1)

On Saturday, 29th October the group met to clean and classify the finds from the excavation carried out last June at The Craggs. Initially the finds, mainly comprising pottery, were washed on the picnic tables outside the cafe and then brought inside the Green Room to be sorted and classified. On Saturday, 29th October the

An Evening With Pendle Movie Makers

Friday night was movie night. Pendle Movie Makers brought a wonderful medley of films to entertain us. From a nostalgic trip to Blackpool, Howarth and the Bronte’s, The Last Towel Mill, the world famous magician “Faust” and a hypnotic film of Bancroft Mill Engine set to music, all were fascinating and beautifully presented. During the

Archaeology Fieldwalk at Crawshawbooth

After meeting at The Corner Café for discussion and refreshments we walked uphill, starting beside Limey Water. We eventually crossed fields above Rake Foot reservoir.  The winter pasture of Crawshawbooth vaccary could have been in this area.  On reaching Height Side Lane we turned left, passing a farm with a datestone of 1775 and further

Cave Archaeology in the Yorkshire Dales

Our first evening lecture as part of our Autumn programme was given by Dr Phil Murphy on Caves, Cavers, Collapses and Corpses and proved to be illuminating in various ways. He discussed mainly the discovery and opening up of Victoria Cave, Settle. This is a very important and renowned cave principally for the  scientific evidence

Autumn Trip 2016

  On Saturday 24th September 17 members of the Friends of Pendle Heritage Centre met in Barrowford and were driven direct to Buxton.  We had coffee in the Pavilion (designed by Joseph Paxton) and then were treated to a conducted tour of the largely Georgian town by a town guide who told us about the

September Visit to Woodend Mining Museum

A party of 11 members of the Friends were welcomed by Carol and Harry Johnson, the owners of the Woodend Coal Mining Museum. After an excellent ….. lunch we were given a lively tour of the small but very interesting Museum.   We were shown a plethora of mining equipment and it was easy to understand

A non-viking, viking settlement!

Under the leadership of Alex Whitlock, thirteen intrepid explorers crossed the border into the rather windy (and occasionally wet) Yorkshire Dales to join the Ingleborough Archaeology Group to view the widely publicised Gauber Viking Settlement. However, a slight detour above Settle on our outward journey allowed us – like a flock of sheep – to

Widdop Wander

A small but elite group did a very low speed walk along the northern edge of Widdop today. We lunched in Orthostat Bay before walking out along Barn Point. The walk was a break from the usual field walks that are part of the vaccary & PHV projects. Today was about enjoying the rather excellent