6 Clilhoroc Advertiser and Times, August 22, 1969 A fascinating creature Last week I made an


attempt to show how the barn owl’s status was depen­ dent on easily available


nesting sites. Even if the food is present we find the popu­ lation remains unchanged over the years unless the barns or nesting facilities arc at hand. This, as I pointed out is contrary to the pattern of most feathered creatures who are, as a rule, more versatile in procuring nesting sites. 1 also mentioned a young


I doubt if anyone has ever seen such occurences. He told me of howatone period • he was watching a family of live young bam owls which had readied the stage of free flight and were awaiting the return of


remarkable happenings. . Two are really outstanding.


the parents in the shelter of- an old out-bam.


Flurry


ornithologist who probably knows more about barn owls than those in high places who are accepted as authorities. By providing suitable nesting boxes this young man has seen a pronounced increase in the speoies and consequently has been able to watch and study these creatures at dose quarters.


past four years he has spent several hours, long after sunset, watching the owls feeding and going about their business. He has recorded their strange and weired calls and. as can be expected, has seen some


Night after night • over the


Huning the next few minutes it. was evident they were very hungry,- for as the old. bird came toward the door of the barn carrying a mouse all five youngsters left their perch to converge an the surprised . parent. They were so eager; that caution went to the wind and tlie six owls, ah eager to • maintain possestion of the pray, fell to the ground in ' a flurry of wings. What a picture •to have been able to capture that on film! I t was Indeed am event of a life-time which-few", are able to see even an film. •


Judging by what happened


predators—the bam owl and . the kestrel. Both species were nesting at the time quite n e a r,. •to each other and sip it was obvious that, being bards of prey and feeding on similar items of food, their ■ interest


The other event concerns , two


■would conflict and cause trouble. The meetings were few and far between chiefly because


owls when feeding young come out in the daylight and can often be seen quartering the fields in the search for prey even when the sun is high i n , the noon sky. This ultimately led to the meeting and clash


However, as we know, bam


known for, following a brief scuffle in mid-air the two predators were, seen passing over-head locked together with the .falcon suspended beneath ■ the owL These two. ocourances must surely be the most extra­ ordinary happenings of their kind ever seen in our valley. They certainly emphasise the


between hawk and owl. The climax will never be


fact that there is more in bird watching than just observing a bird at the nest or on the tide-


- with the bam owl has not produced anything as spec­


line. Although my own experience


tacular as my friends it has at all times been interesting. For above all others these birds are so different in so many ways. First, what an impact that face —heart-shaped or fully round— and have you ever seen such


white soft plumage, or such delicate shading in the grey and golden-brown.


the kestrel hunts during the hours of daylight and the owl is more active after dusk.


Powerfull


' Take a close look at the very efficient claws and the power­ ful feet. And, as I have pre­ viously said, if you have ever been grasped by accident then you will agree they, are mur­ derous. Heaven, help the mouse or rat caught in those feet.


aspect or part of the barn owl you wish and you come to the conclusion that it is all evidence of a wonderful purpose. Even the facial disc, when open, acts as a natural parabolic reflector


Indeed,, study whatever


bird as i t sat watching. The ■bird will keep its body-facing you and calmly follow-: your movement with its head. . And,


light a candle and release a mouse in what is little more ■than a glimmer of light. You will find the owl captures the mouse in a few seconds.


Efficient


of sound which is directed to­ wards the sensitive, ears. The feathers too are as soft as thistle-down so that the bud can pass in flight without giv­ ing out a -whisper of sound to frighten the i unsuspecting mouse. just on the ground below. And the eyes make them worthy of specialised study.


wonderful construction. Unlike others in the bird world the owl cannot move the eyes but as recompense -it can turn its head almost full circle. I have often stood in front of an owl and quietly moved round the


What a fantastic size and A MATURE BARN OWL"


if this is not enough, consider the light gathering power of the eyes.


Place an owl in a very laTge room in complete darkness;


:


•brought to my notice over ten years ago - when I filmed in cine and on stills a family which has nested in an out- barn for several years. They were very efficient vermin des­ troyers and I recall that when the .three youngster were about . a week old there were several mice and two half-grown rats at the edge of the nest. This was on my very first visit and during the weeks that followed the trio must have consumed a hoi-.de of the furry tribe.


All this and more was first


- selves backwards and by strik­ ing at any movement become


great interest spending several hours each weekend with them over a period of six weeks. In spite of this familiarity they never accepted my presence with anything but ferocious intent. When they reached the stage of free flight they would, at; my approach, throw them-


I followed their progress with


very formidable opponents. Another familiar characteristic was the threat attitude. Again, at the sign of danger, the trio


would lower their heads until th e . bill almost touched the


•such a display would have little effect on a human but I guarantee an adult when faced wuth such a demonstration, particularly when the owl threw itself on its back to present its outstretched talons, would reconsider his next move. They are also adept at bill


ground and then, with out­ stretched wings they swayed from side to side to the accom­ paniment of a prolonged his­ sing noise. You may perhaps think that


llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll|l,lll,IIIIIIlllllllI,,l,lllllllllll,l,,,,lllllllllllllllllll!|||llll|lllllll|llH,IH,HHIIt^


ROUND AND


illllllllllllllllllllllllll! iiiiiiiiiii’iniiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiii


snapping—another device at fending off intruders. This is very effective and draws atten­ tion to the extraordinary large


ABOUT


gape. Owls must surely have the largest gapes . in , the feathered world and certainly put it to good use. I t just has to be, for bam owls swallow their prey whole and if it’s a rat the creature goes down head first with the tail and rear portion hanging out for a considerable period until the swallowed part is digested. However, to end on a more


' is the face, with the upper parts a delightful orange-buff, speckled 1 with grey. Altogether a fascinating creature. NATURALIST.


pleasant note. Just take a last look at the colour scheme—the under parts are silky white, as


Youth Centre


honours John


John Ainsworth, of


Green Park, Whalley, has recently received th e “Footballer of the Year” award from Blackburn


for DISTRICT JOTTINGS


SOUTHWORTH'S FINE FURNITURE


Waddington


gathered in the Methodist schoolroom for a women's’ work meeting on behalf of the- Methodist- Missionary


Womens work A large number of women


Society. Ihose who a t t e n d e d


included women from Ciithe- roe and surrounding villages. Sister .Hannah Beilis


GENUINE REDUCTIONS ON ALL LINES


40 YORK STREET, CLITHEROE; TEL: 3191


Also at 12 NORTHGATE, BLACKBURN Tel: ST733.


heard from Dr. and Mrs. Boithwick in Edinburgh.


castle-on-Tyne Mission. She also said she had


of Waddingten, who told of her work as a. nurse and health visitor.


Speaker was Miss Jackson,


importance of visiting homes after the birth of a child and told of .some interesting ' experiences with gypsy


Miss Jackson stressed the


families in Cheshire and Pakistani families in Accring­ ton.


Ladies Coats - Raincoats Dresses and Suits to wear now


or in the autumn


Sizes - from 36in to 52in hips


FASHION SHOW At Low Moor Club


Wednesday, Sept. 10th. Tickets 2/6 each


Admission by Ticket only Proceeds for Heart-machine


ECONOMIC STORES 70, WHALLEY ROAD, CLITHEROE. . Tel. 2697


Special Investment Shares DECIMAL CURRENCY


LEARN TO CONVERT Cut this out and save it


And tvatch this space for further information.


T a n z a n i a , North "West Canada ' and the Belgian Congo. Many overseas people who had come to this country for training. Linda, and Gordon "Whit­


tioned friends who had served as health visitors in


field sang a duet nnd Mrs. W. Dugdale was the pianist. - Women of the church


Miss Jackson also men­


presided and reported that she was leaving the Clitheroe


cirfcuit a t the end of August to take up work at the New-


provided refreshments and there was also a bring and


buy stall. Prooeeds amounted to £18.


reader at Waddington Hospi­ tal, and his wife gave an invitation tea on Monday at Underwood's Cafe, Wadding­ ton, for the Matron, all the residents of the hospital, and


Tea party ■ The Rev. Francis H. Robbs,


the staff. Thanks were expressed to


Mr. and Mrs. Robbs. Knowle Green


by Mrs. Ashworth jnr. Mrs. Walker, vice-president, wel­ comed members to the meet-


subject of the talk given by Mrs. Williams to members of the Knowle Green and Dut­ ton Women’s Institute. Mrs. Williams was thanked


Women’s Institute Social etiquette was the


in".A letter from Thomley WI accepting an invitation to attend the November meet­ ing was read and another letter, from the link institute in New Zealand, was also


read. The link institute sent two


printed tea towels. One will decorate the kitchen wall and the other will make an attractive tray cloth. There was a display of


by Mrs. Williams and her husband.


rison and Miss Greenall was second.


guessing place names from holiday postcards.


Martin Top


adults from Martin Top, Horton-in-Craven, Clitheroe and Barrow Congregational Churches took part in a sponsored walk for Shelter and the CCWM.


Sponsored walk Forty-six children and


finished the walk. Before the walk started a


Forty-three of the party


short service was conducted by Mr. B. Lingard and Mr. J. W. Johnson. A lesson was read by Malcolm Lambert, and the pianist was Miss K. O. Moorhouse. When the walkers re­


turned, tea, minerals and biscuits were served in the Sunday School.


Social time was spent Winner was Mrs. J. Har­ Our Newton


Correspondent A well-known Newton-in-


Bowland personality, Mrs. Elsie Haslewood, took over as the village's Advertiser and Times correspondent this week. The previous correspon­


dent was Mrs. Haslewood's cousin, Mr. Edwin Wight- man, of Ennerdalc Road, Clitheroe. Mrs. Haslewood, of Croft


NO DISCOURTESY INTENDED


Correspondents would


be well advised to read letters carefully before rushing into print. Tn no instance did I intend to


Houses, has lived in the vil­ lage virtually all her life. Before the death of her


be discourteous to Mrs. Westwell.


husband three and a half years ago, Mrs. Haslcwood had the village shop. She still serves in the shop in the mornings. interested in music, Mrs.


Haslewood is the organist at Newt on Congregational Church. She also holds the post of treasurer.


Dunsop Bridge Siaidburn


W o m e n ’s I n s t i t u t e The ways and means of


roses for the competition ’’A Specimen Rose" judged


•using solid fuel to the best advantage was the subject of an illustrated talk given to Dunsop Bridge Women’s Institute at their August meeting in the village room.


Women's Advisory Council on Solid Fuel, was the speakev and she was introduced and ■thanked by the president, Mrs. T. Wood.


Mi's. Daykin, of the


a given recipe was the monthly comnetition. judged by Mrs. Daykin. It- was won by Mrs. Waddington with Mrs,. Walmsley second and Mrs. Mullen third.


Four maids of honour from


of departure for a show at Blackpool at the end of August.


been bought for the Solomon Isles and Mrs. Wood offered to send the parcel to the county WI .headquarters in ■Preston.


A length of material has


herd organised an amusing social half hour which was won by Mrs. Rushton, of Newton.


Read


at a bring and buy sale and coffee evening in the Read and Simonstone - Constitu­


Bring and buy More than £33 was raised


tional Club. ■ It was organised by a


<5& Equal to £ 8 ,18s. 9.% gross


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Building Society


> Hnl once: High Slttel, Sklglii,YntiUrt. phm: OSM-llti I City once: SI High Hglbim, U«lt» W.C.I. phut: 0I-2IMU!


Clithcroe Branch Office


7 MARKET PLACE CLITHEROE f


TEL: 4210 Branch Manager: Mr. W. S. Glashy


you are Already converting i The old half-penny has gone. You have been handling


‘ 5NP- (1/-) and 10NP (2/-) coins for some time now. ■ On’’October 14th -the new 50NP coin will begin to -replace our'old ten shilling note. At the end of the V ' ’ year the half-crown will have gone.


KEEP ON CONVERTING! Blit you still have time , to handle many more


: old ten shilling and pound notes if you act quickly.


. . A CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT. IN THIS PAPER WILL SELL ALMOST ANYTHING. TT WILL HELP . YOU,.CONVERT.. GOODS ■ i/FOR SALE- INTO CASH OR-YOUR . CASH


. >• - - INTO .THE GOODS • YOU WANT. ."■ ‘


/■"' >'• -


Telephone Clhhcroe 2323 or call at the ' ■ Advertiser and Times King Street office.


Christ pi S S S


1


Chatburn. churchyard which lias .been placed top in the .eastern « M * kept churchyard 'competition. Recalls of th, #0, 1. . judging are now. awaited.


. .


Accrington, .Clitheroe. Darwen, Great Harwood, ■ Rossendale nrid; all, sub-post offices will - be closed all day on Monday, Sep­ tember 1.


Holiday Post Head Offices at Blackburn,


for : payment, on that day, will be paid ...in;: advance on Mon­ day, August 25.


L £8.10s.2.°o GROSS ' % EQUAL TO O


Christmas treat for the old people of the village. ■


The proceeds were for a . *


newly formed ladies' com­ mittee.


After supper Mrs. Shep­ Members were .told the time


Farmers Club visited the noted Sullom herd of Friesians owned by Mrs. James Wrathall, of Barn- acre, Garstang, on Monday. They inspected the stock


Young farmers Members of the Young


and were interested in the barn-dried hay in which system, Mr. Wrathall was a


and thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wrathhall were expressed by Tom Robinson.


pioneer many years ago. Refreshments were served


BoIton-by-BowIand


Farmers’ Club held their meeting at Preston Docks


Young farmers Bolton-by-Bowiand Young


on Tuesday and were shown round by Mr. Naylor. He was thanked by Mr. J. Roberts.


NEW


be the new, Dean of Accrington and district which includes parishes from Clitheroe to the Rossendale Valley.


at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Accrington, and has been there for 10


Father Stack is parish priest


years. He was born in Dublin and


ordained in Ireland in 1931, Father Stack takes over the


DEAN Father Joseph Stack is to


and friendliness is beyond praise and her catering of the highest quality.


Her invariable courtesy


grateful clients and in this respect she can certainly count on me, but—and there is a BUT—this does not excuse the cause for com­ plaint to which I specifically drew attention.


I am glad she has so many


t I am reliably, informed ohat dhis fins' happened on


assistants and telephones and a notice indicating sick­ ness could bo posted and, doubtless, would be respected. Facts however are facts and cannot be ignored.


ther Wednesdays. There are


was apparently an unfor­ tunate slip-up and care should he taken to avoid a repetition. I n d e e d , as I s u g g e s t e d , arrangements could and should be made against such contingencies.


In the instance I cited it


Mrs. Westwell’s kind heart must have provided many free cups of water for thirsty children but why has the lack of suoli a necessary amenity been so long over­


I am quite certain that


looked? Mr. Hall’s cry of vandalism


would not have stood up very wall if a number of children had been taken ill through drinking fouled water from


Letters to the Editor


eously read into my letter) on Mrs. "Westwell's service and efficiency from which


Charles Musson, Pimlico Road, ditiheroe.


Ban these boats


I thank “Naturalist” for


his appreciation ot' my letter, which was intended o n l y to reinforce his


plain that I very greatly appreciate all that the water board has, and is doing in the public interest. I do not think “Naturalist” and I are alone in our protest against the introduction of outboard motors up there—if that is what has been permitted.


the paddling pool. Is there any , protection


and fresh air are our first essentials and should not be polluted anywhere at any time.


given to that static water, often none too hygienic but much better since I drew attention to it?


further through the Press, but since I introduced the subject I think I should have the last word.


I have no wish to drag this


wont to say “don’t let it happen again.”


As the schoolmaster was


ton. He has completely mis­ interpreted my suggestion which was nothing more than


One word for Mr. Pember­


post of Dean from Father Peter Purcell who has retired through . ill health.


that arrangements should be made to ensure that the cafe facilities are avaliable when­ ever reasonably required— daily and certainly during holiday periods. In no way


sense to encourage contami­ nation and . to then deal with this by i n t r o d u c i n g doubtful additives to restore purity.......................


I t certainly does not make


and with him deplore the growing indifference to pol­ lution, not only of domestic water but of the air, sea, and alas, morals.


I liked his “measles" simile


• introduction of chlorine. In' this matter, I ycild to


did I cast any aspersions (as was apparently quite erron-.


. thought there would have been pretty readily available means for dealing with water pollution other than by the


In . this fast developing scientific age. I should have


ALSO


• things as motor boat's on .drinking water reserves.:


superior k n o w l e d g e and experience. I am, however, adamant in my view that there should be no such


, How utterly , absurd 'would be any claim that whatever the extent of our knowledge and whatever thefacilities available, all water is, after chemical treatment, 1 i 11 le


changed and far safer than nature intended It to be.


.with its t r em e n d o u s responsibility will succeed In


. 1 sincerely hope the board,


its major purpose to ensure that the supply of water to the borough and neighbour-; hood will be sufficient in : quantity .■


•: and: quality ■; for";


• domestic and industrial needs .and to give us a good cup of, tea in the morning. • * ri,


Pimlico Road.


. come in for ..heavy critisism from both players and specta­ tors alike. Certainly their job is no easy one. But the game cannot' go on " without ■them..


Football referees aiways


whose .' season, opens next month, is .again facing a shortage of referees, and un­ less some more can be found i t seems certain that some games each week will not


Clitheroe -Amateur League, ' - :


have, an'appointed referee. Anyone "Who (would like to take ? up ■ the ; C job ■ should


: Their .help ’ would be most appreciated, ., in .keeping a


■ contact gather Mr. George B r a i t h w a i t e , of Eshton Terrace, or Mr.- C. ’M. Cooke, of ' Mona 'Terrace. Sabden.


lively league running. Award Harold R. Broughton . ' winner'■'


- i Ccun. Leo Wells, of Chester Av e n u e , Clitheroe, .was ,


: eight-day summer school at Plater; College, Oxford. - .The' object: of... th e : sohool :


, among: six members of The Knights of St". Columba who gained a scholarship a t a n '


Pensions-and-allowances due > races.;’The* theme'-: of'-..the > ‘


was to learn how to (spread a practical Christian attitude towards people of o th e r ;


'


: There:will/be no delivery of" letters or parcels but one col­ lection, will be made from",all' town; and rural . letter: boxes as on a Sunday.


‘‘antidote'• of'.rich solidvand ' ■; enduring christian-loye. could j "bes't'be used to' combat the • • violence.; and hatred in1 the " world........ ,


: Speakers, nskecl/ ihow Hthe :


.week was .“Who is my neigh- ( hour"now?” ' "


■ Plus A


❖ RE * N


See tliei no KING! ‘*ur m • a F l FR


• A d | P


Wholesome drinking water


drawing attention to w h at. is going on at Stocks reservoir—disquieting to consumers and orintho- logists alike. I have already made it


Birthday Ail honorary member and


former chairman of White- well Angling Club,-Mr. Sam


.Walmsley, . of Sunnycroft, Waddington ittoad, Clitheroe, celebrated his 93rd birthday


yesterday. He .is extremely well-known


an Clitheroe and Whitewell for his angling, and holds the present record for salmon fishing from the Hodder with fly and line,:


man of the Boy Scouts’ association (now Scout council) in Clitheroe, and for many years was an active worker for the Sunday School and Men’s Institute at Olitheroo Parish Church. .


He was the founder chair­


working life in business as an antique and fine art dealer in Blackburn. He . divides., his time


He spent practically all his


between his Clitheroe home and Menai Bridge, North


<S C / f


Let us q* GUARAI Alt Fit|


. Music plays an, important part in Mr. Walmsley’s life. He spends much time listen­ ing to the works-of famous composers, partic u 1 a r 1 y


Wales, where he has a bunga­ low, and from where, during his long and active life, he has spent many hours sailing in the Menai Straits.


Schubert,: his favourite. NO Call in


I personally have benefited and invariably much appre­ ciated.


Catholic Youth Centre. John, who is 18, has played t h e 1 Centre for three


seasons and has scored 140 goals. He usually plays cen­


tre forward. In April he was in the


Blackburn Youth League side which won the Lan­ cashire Inter-League trophy for the first time, at Ewood Park. He has also represented


Blackburn Schoolboys at. under 14 and 15 level and has played for St. Mary's College for seven seasons, the past three playing regu­ larly in the school’s 1st XI. In the 1968-1969 season


John played for the North Lancashire Senior School­ boys’ team and in the’ same season gained a place in the full Lancashire County si’dc.


m N(1


Mooi School, <|


Co-cducatio| Weekly Bfij Day ,


Bertrand r Dir


Frir


Tclcphon CL1THE


SHI


pecialists ' experience We are au agents for shaver.: Re| son. PhllJs Executive, express sc


s e are t


RE! W GUAR


; : repairs-


always = in We stock : make and


1.000 clitler


shaver—m rcchargeafcs. HE


SHAVE Keirby T


ELE< Burnley. I


CHl LC


YOU’LlI ■ 4 8


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