8 CUtheroe Advertiser and Times, Friday, October 4, 1968 ........................ ..................


Joe ami Edna Finney welcome you to


THE NEW INN


GISBURN Clilhcroc


Tel: Gisburn 264


A fully licensed Whitbread House House Speciality


C H I C K E N IN T H E B A S K E T Fresh Cut Sandwiches


Hot and Cold Snacks at the Bar


Coach Parties Catered for by appointment Large car park


ONLY THE FINEST QUALITY


MEAT at


PARKER


HIGH-CLASS BUTCHER MAIN STREET GISBURN Tel: 244


--------o--------


POULTRY :: BACON OWN COOKED MEATS SAUSAGES Etc.


Ribbksdale Arms hotel


Gisburn — for — PARTY BOOKING : DINNERS


OFFICE PARTIES : DINNER DANCES WEDDING RECEPTIONS


Telephone G isburn 234


Cbe Old SnjitDp, Gisburn


nr. Clitlieroc


ANTIQUES, RURAL CRAFTS


AND GIFTS Open all weekend Telephone Gisburn 463


ARE YOU


ORGANISING A


PARTY ? THE CORONATION HOTEL


HORTON-IN-CRAVEN, .SKIPTON Tel: GISBURN 393


PRIVATE PARTIES


Cater for ::


WORKS PARTIES DINNER DANCES Etc. Ample parking space for Coaches


The old Posting House on the Preston to Skipton turnpike looked warm and inviting through the damp mist


to the travel-weary passengers in the horse-drawn coach. The clatter of hooves on the cobblestones caused a flurry


of activity as the servants hustled to unhitch the foaming and beiatliered horses, while the travellers eagerly entered the


Royal George. It was a welcome rest on a long journey and a golblet of ale served by a curtseying wench signified that a good night’s


rest was ahead. The few villagers of Gisburne were used to the coaching


horn and rattle of wheels, and viewed the ladies and gentlemen


of high society with envy. But the residents have had little excuse for being envious,


for the weary travellers have been the village’s main sourco of revenue since the first days of the Old Posting House— now the Ribblesdalc Arms. For centuries a gateway between cast and west of the


Pcnuines on the Craven fault. Gisbum is a curious little half­ way place with little else but a main highway and a few side streets.


The village has always held attraction for the visitor, al­


though residents today can hardly understand why. Old and new


It is a long time since the crunch of boots from Cromwell's


Army echoed on the cobbles as they marced to Clitheroe Castle, but the same numbers still go every weekend, packing the little craft shops, four cafes and five hotels. Without the money-spenders Gisburn would virtually be


a ghost towm. Until 12 months ago it retained much of its olde worlde charm, and it was not difficult to imagine days of long ago with the Old Smitlie on one side of the mam street and the old inn and stables on the other.


Now the sands of time have caught up with the village


and the increase in traffic has meant the inevitable: the old has had to make' way for the new.


The characteristic old cobbles which dressed both sides of


the road— the A59—on which the cattle market flourished for many years, were prised up. Residents felt a sense of loss.


kerbstones and footpaths. But the new face lift lias brought new problems. Ironically the scheme to iiimrove the road now prevents traffic from parking on the side, and according to some, affects trade.


In their place the old road has been widened with new Every window seems to re­


flect an ah- of pride. Little gardens are always neat and tidy, hedges trimmed, and paintwork glistens in the sun. It is perhaps this quaint at­ mosphere which draws town dwellers away from their ter­ raced streets to this curious half-way place.


Like many villages In the


Ribble and Hodder valleys, it is steeped in history and is


mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It hardly seems to grow


and it never shrinks. Most houses are sold before they arc empty, the newest build­ ings being a group of modem old people’s homes, built about 12 months ago.


Chairman One of tlie principal charac­


ters is Coun. B. Bentley or ‘Mr. Gisbum’ as he is affec­ tionately known. He is a member of Bowland Rural Council, lias been chairman of the parish council for 20 years and knows most tilings about the village and most people know him.


Although he was not bom


in Gisburn he is proud to be a part of it. "M y wife and I really enjoy living here. We came about 1942 when I was made station master. The vil­ lage hasn’t really changed much in that time. “The big change of course


Coun. Bentley—“Mr. Gisburn”—is the former station master.


full of charm, a sight rarely seen in most towns. Another of the older buildings is the Co-op on the main street.


Manager is Mr. Dick Nut­


ter. who has been working there for 27 years. He believes that above the shop used to be a school house a long time ago, for on the doors in a couple of the old rooms are stuck some old maps. In addi­ tion there are one or two old pictures, one of Lord Ribbles­ dale.


“It would be very interest­


ing to find out the history of tile place, but it seems to be many years ago that it was used as a schoolroom. Since I have been here, quite a number of things have been found when work lias been carried out.


“ In one part, parts of


hooves and other bits and pieces were found, indicating it was used as a stable. Above that part of the building there is a room with an old tailor’s fireplace in, suggest­ ing that a tailor once used the premises. Old shoe lasts have also been found.


With the great influx of


has been the market. We have lost that old market town atmosphere. It seems rather like just another village, far different to having animals in pens on both sidw of tlie road, and the centre brim­ ming with farmers from all over. " It has made it far better,


and we now have the biggest auction mart in the country. Apart from the Ribblesdale Arms we have quite a few buildings around the same period. At the back of the main road there is a small street which, it is said, used to be the main road. “The buildings there are


very old and date back to about 1600. I am particularly proud of our Festival Hall, built a few years ago for £6,000. I spearheaded the campaign to raise money for it and it has been well worth


all the effort. “Many of the associations


meet there and it is used for petty sessions once a month.


people during the weekends, two craft shops have appeared within the last two years, the Old Smithy and the Ivy Bam.


Parrot Both are old buildings Just off the main street, a little girl plays with a ball in a quiet thoroughfare.


Wc regard it as the best hall in the Bowland area. Mr. Bentley also takes a


keen interest in local associ­ ations, particularly the foot­ ball and cricket club, being on both committees. Both have their own grounds and arc flourishing. Gisburn boasts a fine old


church set back off the main road, surrounded by a cluster of trees which seem to give it that ideal village setting look.


Vicar Built in the twelfth century


it still retains two old Nor­ man pillars in excellent state of preservation. The vicar is the Rev. J. H. Renton, who has been living in the village for the past two years. ” Although I am only rela­


tively new here, this part of the world is not strange to me as I have lived in Horton- in-Ribblesdale for some time.


The church is probably one of the oldest In the area and , really is in good condition. Behind the church stands


the old vicarage, now unused for that purpose, alongside which stands the Old Vicar­ age Cafe one of four which do a roaring trade at the weekends. In addition there are five


hotels which also provide meals or snacks—evidence of the great numbers who visit the area. One of the cafe owners is Mrs. Isabel Thorou- good of the Central Cafe, who says that she has been affec­ ted by the new road works. “Big lorries and cars just


cannot pull off the road like they used to. This does not encourage them to stop. With a scheme such as tills I think a central car park should be built, clearly sign-posted so that people would be able to stop if they wished. Otherwise


FARMERS FOR ALL


' PIPE-LINE and PARLOUR INSTALLATIONS INCLUDING


FULLWOOD ALFA-LAVAL GASCOIGNE MANUS


BULK TA NKS


ALL DAIRY DETERGENTS, BULK TANK AND CIRCULATION CLEANERS,


including DELSANEX, DIVERSEY, Etc. WATER BOWL INSTALLATIONS. FOR SPARES and SERVICE CONSULT


LINDLEY PATE(g un Telephone: Gisburn 251


isbr)LTI]


I can see us losing trade." One man who does not


seem to be affected is Mr. R. W. Parker, who owns the Temperance Hotel, an unusual looking building with a large sign outside adding to the effect. “ I am run off my feet from


Sunday to Sunday. Most of my trades comes from the farmers who come to the auc­ tion mart and want a meal and accommodation. It's not seasonal and keeps me very busy almost the whole year round. “It was a Temperance


which have been renovated but retain their old charm. Paul Read, of Nelson, owns the Old Smithy and has not been open 12 months yet. .Already he finds Ills shop popular and stays open most of the weekends, often until


quite late. His shop has a commanding


position on the main road, and there is a tale that it used to be a slaughter house and


even a chapel! As an added attraction, he keeps a parrot and a large dog in the shop. The other shop is run by


Hotel when my Grandfather used to have it, but he told me that it used to be a public house a long time ago. In the cellar there are still some old fittings which would have been used in the old days. Just by tlie side of the


hotel stand a delightful little row of prim stone cottages


Mr. Joseph Shaw and Is a converted barn. The shop is very well laid out, with many modern crafts coming from as far away as Argentina, and has a gallery built inside. He has been open for two years and he says many of his cus­ tomers are coming back time after time. As far as ordinary shops


are concerned there are two other grocery shops, a but­ chers, post office and several banks which open a few days el week. Major R. D. Kitney runs the post office, having lived in


WHOEVER YOU ARE —


• You may be a club secretary


• A youth Club


• A works welfare officer but at the


C O M M E R C I A L


H O T E L GISBURN Tel: Gisburn 235 we hope to cater for your function


• Buffet dances up to 260 from 10/- per person.


• Dinner parties up to 60 persons. % Free stereo musio available or choice of bands.


Phone Gisburn 235 for personal attention to your requirements F. R. BIRTW ELL l SO (Merchants) Ltd.


HALSTEAD LANE, BARROWFORD.


Tel: Nelson 64578 and 64064 See our stand at


GISBURN AUCTION MART (Every Thursday)


— Main Agents fo r —


W E Y C RO F T M A C FO RD and MANUS M IL K IN G M A CH IN E S PO R T A B L E BU ILD IN G S


D A IR Y and P O U L T R Y E Q U IP M E N T


For Prompt Phone: Chatb


Why put up wl uneven FI WHEN YOU CM


Asphalt H AND LINO Tl


Estimates Free Nol Consult]


JAMES BOLTd (ASPHALTERa


LOWER EANAM BLACKBUl


on all floor p|


Telephone: Blaokl Evenings: Blaoka


N


the area for five years, al­ though he has had far longer associations with it. He came from Hong Kong after retir­ ing from the Army. He loves the village and has always wanted to live in it.


Of the village he says: “ It


is far more commercialised than it ever used to be and the traffic is very much worse. It often takes five minutes to cross the road. "T o my mind it is not


really a place for young people — there is very little for them to do and the bus service is terrible— one every two hours. “ To older people who have


cars it is a pleasant place to live, a community of con­ trasts. On the one hand there are the businessmen in their cars and on the other, coun­ try folk on their horses.”


of his patrons hit local. ]lc gets many from out. of town. It is for this reason that he has extended his shop to in­ clude fancy goods, toys and sweets. The most imposing building


Story: COLIN MARGERISON Pictures: ROY CHATBURN Although quite a number


is the Ribblesdale Arms which has associations with the dis­ tant past. There is a rumour of a ghost in the inn but H is not well known. Some people say they have seen an old woman and it is also said that taps turn on mysteri­ ously, and so on. But the manageress. Mrs.


Joan Smith, docs not believe the story.


Manor The inn is intriguing inside,


and it does not need much Imagination to visualise what it was like 300 years ago. There are quite a number of antique pieces of furniture which have been there for many years. All arc intricately reived


and the pride of tiic house is a magnificent four poster bed which is usually offered to couples on their honeymoon. The inn is also we'.l known


as the headquarters ol the Pendlc Forest and Craven


Hunt. One part of Gisbuni that


many visitors do not sec is the park and manor. Entrance is by some line old gates with turretted offices on each side. The hall is set. in a wonder­


ful position surrounded by trees and with the River Ribble almost lapping its doorsteps. Owner of the manor is Mr. J. R. Hindlev. who is said to take a keen interest in the village along


with his wife. A s y o u d rive Inwards


G i s b um o n e d ark evening a n d se e a c lu s te r of lights tw in k l in g in the distance, y o u w i l l p e rh ap s eel that s am e fe e l in g a s the weary tra v e l le r s d id 300 years ago a s th e y ap p ro a ch ed the old in n , a se n t in e l in the night.


.ij A c h a r m in g m i x t u r e o f o ld a n d n e w


P o r t r a i t o f a V i l l a g e


IT WAS a day enough for anythin I sun had already riscl Pendlc, and was ell


into a clear blue sk i At six in the moral


streets of CUtherotl thronged with pcopl had gathered to wttl 80-strong band of moil 0f them, indeed. littl| than boys— march miles into Blackburn. It was August 1914,


Great War was onlyl days old. The men wej foers of the 4th Battal East Lancashire Rel As Territorials, thel ing made them ami


first to be sent to opl might of the Kaiscv| Clatter


When war wa.s thev had been undeil


in 'their summer cl Caernarvon. Now till


at the start of a I which, for many of tr| to have no return.


On the commanl


stepped out purpose! wards Blackburn, t f clatter of their bool jng from the terraccf lining Whalley Roacl


FINAl “ W h a t 's w ro n g


payment of £100.0| fo o tb a l le r ’?”


‘H


point as to thatl clear. Apparently ncl


Those outrageous I


fees, ridiculously hifl bonuses and othetl ments, apart fronl tance charges to thl


What’s wrong v


national sport is it: commercialisation,


ing and selling o| beings under the


sport. Isn’t that suffii]


Stirk Bouse Bow,


Gisburn Postal Address:


STIRK HOUSE HOTEL, GISBURN, Nr. CLITHEROE, LANCS.


Telephone: Gisburn 237 Resident Manager.


Fully Licensed. Residential.


ST IR K HOUSE is a 16th Century Manor House which has been converted to a small up-to-date luxury hotel, whilst stdi retaining its old world charm and atmosphere.


It is situated on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border, I mile


from Gisburn, at the entrance to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and in the middle of the renowned Ribble Valley.


from Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Barnoldswick, Blackburn and Accrington. Clitheroe and Skipton are within a very short radius.


Stirk Boost fiottl


offers very fine food and wine. An a la carte Menu of varied English and Continental fare is available. A table d'hote Menu is provided at Lunch besides the normal a la carte.


Luncheon is served from 12-30 p.m. . Dinner is served from 7 p.m.


__* Our chefs are always happy to provide any special dishes


that may be asked for at reasonable notice. A new Ballroom has been provided to take Parties and


Functions up to 200 people in comfort. A more beautilui setting for a Wedding or 21st Birthday Party cannot be


imagined. Every Saturday a Dinner Dance is available to all our


patrons. Dancing to "Ron Holt’s Trio” (our own Dance Banin. Several bedrooms arc available to residents, tour fa in-


bedded rooms are provided with their own bathrooms ana toilets. Radio or television, and telephones are provided at no extra charge.


queries that may arise, and to help to make your visit an enjoyable experience.


The Resident Manager is available at all limes for any For the business executive it is only a 20 minute drive General Cal


116, B AW D l ] CONCRI


BUILDING BI .(LOAD BEAR


BREEZE BLC


PAVINGS ANDj e d g in g ^


Concrete Fuel: from £6-18


G A R D EN ' Coloured Wajllnd


D.&A.B.FRAPJ Sabdcn Print


Whalley Road, I


Telephone: Padih] (Home) Clltherf


DAVID WOl GRINDLEl


Televisf and


Electriij Appliance I


New Sets supplie| SHIPS CAI NEW AND SECON1I


Qualities unobtalntl where Made specialiT wear for shipping and Government .. Large selection of


T. F0WLE| 177 CHORLEY


WALTON-LE-DALE. Tel: 351761


churlishly in t e r r e d w h i c h my in sl equally abrupt rtl “ W h a t ’s right'?” I I thought I had >1


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