'-;'rv.'': 'vV^;-W v uY i'V. • lv^«Y\/v;’ :. •r (-,/./.. >/•;’( Y; 'Y


■


-"' -.Y,\”


f 'Clitheroc-Advertiser'and Times, 'July 25, tsw) Why doesn’t he have a headache? After spending many


hours during the past two weeks watching and photo­ graphing the great spotted woodpecker I have come to know the birds well, and I do believe that of all our residents they are one of the most colourful and fascina­ ting creatures I have studied.


features which contribute to this. First, the colour and markings; second, the strange parrot-like behaviour when on the tree bole in which they had their rest; third, the unique and very curious sound these birds make when ham­ mering their bill on a suit­ able branch. ■:But first let me give.some idea as to the woodpeckers’ handsome attire. The male, a t a distance, appears pre­ dominantly black and white, .particularly on the upper parts, and is about nine or 10 niches in length. But when seen at close quar­


There are three outstanding


ters he is really a very strik­ ing fellow with a vivid crim­ son patch on the nape of the neck and most vivid crim­ son under-tail-coverts. The woodpecker can be


: and' -the sound will carry for distances over' a quarter of a mile.


likened to a parrot for, in most instances, the progress on the tree bole or along bran­ ches is maintained by a series oif jerky , movements with the bird in an upright position and using the tail as a very effi- cient prop or third leg. Then it is that the parrot­


Decisive


like toes, in contrast to those. of the perching birds, come into operation. With two pointing forward


and two directed to the rear, the result is an efficient means of negotiating the trees and branches on which' it spends so much of its life. The third and ?


strange characteristic of these woodpeckers is their.habit of--.- “drumming” s t r i k i n g the beak on a branch, usually decayed, in such rapid suc­ cession as to produce a dis­ tinctive rattle. The blows are delivered at


■ • equally


• On two occasions after’ the adults had been in the nesting • hole feeding the young, they.- took a short flight and alighted. on a dead beech tree, no more than 20 feet from my position,. and I had a wonderful chance of seeing them hammering away at the bare branch. The action was in a very


the- rate of eight or 10 per second' often in short bursts, .


. real motive as far. as I . could see, unless it was to clean the bill, or perhaps a reaction to my suspected presence. However', in the main they


did not appear - upset ■ or in any way unatural.


■ Indeed,. I was'confident that


they ’ were unaware of my ■whereabouts’ b e c a u s e on • leaving- the--nesting - chamber . after ■ .feeding. .the. .young the .birds.. flew.. .straight .in the direction of. the hide.


........... Higher


direct and decisive manner,- ■ and as I followed their move­ ments'I had ihe greatest a res- ■ pect for - the tremendous. strength and also their seem- ing unconcern.' How such a relatively small


creature can hammer away at a solid branch and not suffer


birds’ .immunity to what to me appeared to be self inflicted penance, for the action had no


a severe headache I fail to understand. Indeed I marvelled at the


■ ■ • Had’ they been nervous then -they- certainly- would’ not have • chosen-to fly directly over my hiding place. . During. th e . period I spent


in the hide, hunting was good and male and female came to the site at intervals of five minutes. The male I soon dis­ covered first alighted just a little higher, than the nesting- hole on the south side of the tree bole. From this position he calmly


slid down a couple of feet or more and after a short pause


disappeared inside to feed; the


voimS- The Ilen- 1,1 contrast, favoured the left and she gen­ erally alighted on -the north


sij^'ke most wild birds- the female seldom gave more than a brief glance in my direction, even ’ when I inadvertantly made a noise when altering my position or changing the cam­ era lens.


peculiar methods of the wood­ pecker were very striking. In contrast-to the perching birds, the woodpecker has its own very distinctive way of alight-


During these vists the .


intr.The only other bird you will see in our neighbourhood doing this is the tiny tree-creeper. .


Direct


bird, the woodpecker- approaches the tree bole in a rapid, direct manner. There is little or no check in speed as the bird fljes straight on to the trunk, os if thrown by an unseen hand.


Unlike the .thrush or blackbird,


. In many ways the flight resembles that of a dart— straight and direct. I t is so . sudden that you begin to won­


typical examples of adapta­ tion, are exceptionally strong and capable of taking. any strain. The claws appear too long as they fix into the smooth bark free bole and are • capable of holding the weight of the bird when merely prick­ ing the surface. Altogether I must say I


der how the bird escapes in­ juring itself. But those legs and claws,


thoroughly enjoyed every session with these great spotted woodpeckers. Never has it been my good fortune to have such a natural hide’ of flowering rhododendrons with the sun-shining and wil­ low warblers -busily seeking insect's three feet from the camera lens. And again I have never


the north, but these, obligingly, had the entrance facing due - west so that the sun was on it from 11 a.m. to about five-, in the evening. I had only one complaint:


Having to use a long focus lens and converter the prime aperture was restricted. This meant the use of very


to camera shake. . As I have repeatedly asserted


slow shutter speeds which created difficulty with regard,


over the past 20 years, there is only one medium for those who wish to record -nature as it really is meant to be, and this is by using colour. Black and white is merely'


a shadow of the real -thing, as anyone will agree who has photogaphed the great spotted woodpecker. If those camera enthusiasts


known a pair of birds so thoughtful and considerate. As a rule they make sure the nest is, for the greater part of the day, in deep shade and facing


ANDiiiiiiiiiiniiiniiiiiiiiii. ■ ABOUT iiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii


Origins of an


who flew up in rage when I said this more than 10 years ago are still of the same opinion, then I shall be sur­


tirely wrong and year’s behind tile times. NATURALIST.


prised. Figures show they were en­


ancient game


Clithcroe’s Castle Vet­


WADDINGTON ROAD CAFE HOLIDAY OPENINGS 2nd WEEK


Tuesday-— Dinner : Supper July 22nd—26tli


Thursday-— Dinner : Supper Friday-— Dinner : Supper Saturday-— Supper


Special Investment Shares Lietteirs to t h e E d ito r .


So many good reasons for living in Low Moor


in reply to Mrs. W. Copeland’s letter, I would like to


make it quite clear to her that I, like many others, am not a “poor thing that has to live in Low Moor”.


I prefer to live here for the love of the countryside


the peace and quiet and friendly atmosphere, and with -well-known beauty spots at my door.


We have all the shops that


are necessary, a modem school, nice church and club for those who wish to go, and two farms and a super­ market across the way. i f none of these suits, we


have the best bus service in Clitheroe, but I prefer to walk to town and see the lovely ' hills all. around. I have lived in a new house


in a so-called residential area, but I much prefer my thick walls and warmth in winter. We are quite happy if they


Powerful force


How powerful is this invisible force called pub­


lic opinion? A fortnight ago the Deve­


lopment and Town Planning C om m i t t e e mo t behind closed doors to consider an


application for permission to erect six enormous grain silos and a delivery area


within 70 feet of residential property. By the grace of God the


don’t rebuild, as the more country we shall have. So Mrs. Copeland, can live


where she pleases, and- I ’ll live where I ’m happiest. I t’s free world!


Christine Symonds (Mrs.), Union Street, Low Moor.


Plea f or


tolerance We have read with some


concern the reference to a caravan meet held at Har- " rop Fold Farm in June.


all walks of life but we have one -thing in common — a great love of the countryside. We number amongst our friends, farmers and country folk in every county of


• We caravanners tome from


Britain. I t is somewhat disturbing,


(inclaizlingup to 50,fip|qf


WITH THESE : ELECTROLUX STORAGE -a


RADIATORS* while-stocks Igst!'


therefore, to find people With obviously similar likes to our­


selves, who resent our Pre" sence even for a very short


period of time. There a-ro in Lancashire a


number of organisations which cater for caravanners, by holding organised cara­


i n c r e a s i n g


$Wfflfe * n eg


witilaiim


steadily. ■ Obviously then, - there is a


Scheme,


committee was unable to come to a decision and the matter was passed to the Divisional Planning Officer for further consideration. In the meantime, residents


had come to hear of this, but time was desperately short for action. By dint of much effort, 60


householders presented them­ selves in the council chamber at the next meeting of the council, to the obvious as­ tonishment of the bulk of the council. The atmosphere was elec­


tric. In spite of a technical illegality a vote was taken and the project was defeated by the handsome margin of 10-2. The matter was legalised


by a further meeting of the planning committee, hastily called for three days later, and again it was thrown out by a large majority. Such is the power of pub­


lic opinion. ■ It should be used more by


van ' meets at weekends. Membership of - these organ­ isations is


demand for this type of weekend relaxation. Most organisations-tend to


areas which are determined not to be overrun by Indus­ tries, many of which operate from London and to whom Clitheroe is just another place to be exploited. Why then, you may say, do


limit the use made of any one site, but this becomes increasingly difficult whlen. many landowners prohibit the-use of their land for. even occasional use by caravan­


ners. Oan we, please, plead f°r.


a more tolerant -outlook by. landowners generally? The motor, car. ,1s with us,


I vote for a particular can­ didate? I do so to enable him or her to represent me on


general matters concerning the Borough, but do net sell myself to him, body and soul, to decide my fate, whatever the consequences.


for good and, as a result,’ town > dwellers Infiltrate, the countryside during their leisure time to a greater and greater extent. Picknickers and the motor­


ing public generally, can be much ■ more of -a problem than caravans, which are controlled by Act of Parlia­


Electrolux 2kW. Model GU.22 (heater only) Gash Price £26.5.0. or 191- down and 36 weekly payments of 15/ Total’ Credit Price £27.19.0.


Electrolux.3kW.Model GU.30 (heater only) Cash Price £30.9.0. or 19/-;down and 37 weekly payments-of,1 -7/ Total Credit Price £32.8.0.


Ask at your -■' • ; •- norweb showroom


■ venience to . local residents. We pay our way and bring some; additional Income to farmers and local trades­


unsightly and, once we arc on a site, cause little incon-


ment. Modem caravans are not


! therefore, that people who | have been fortunate enough to move out into the country


people. Is it too much '- to ■ ask,-


; to. live, shall be more toler­ ant towards their country­ men who can only get into the country, ,at weekends?


Stanley Bates, Area Vice- chairman. The British Cara­ vanners. Club.........


• the people must say “enough' and rise up m righteous anger and demand to • know


There comes a time when ’


• the reason- why. before being p r e s e n t e d with a fait accompli.


to the hilt in any part of the town that is threatened, and chase these industries into the part of th e . town set aside for them.


We should back each other


■ have been achieved, by simi­ lar concerted action when Castle Castings started to ex-


gard to the grain silos, and one wonders what might


> tend their ; tentacles over Mearly Brook to the .very


; backyards of Jubilee Terrace ! and Holden Street.


; This, then, is what public opinion is all ■ about when


Pimlico Road, Clitheroc. Charles Musson,


!■ linked with action, and Mr. ; Someone becomes Messrs. Somebody.


Bowling in the Castle grounds?; This is the situation in re­ ISrungerley Park—a nature lovers’ para-disc


BRINGING PLEASURE TO MANY PEOPLE


Practically every taste is


catered for in the way of interests in Clilheroe’s


in the town; but .the figure frequently changes as more


bout 70 acres -ir p:\rkland


parks. a At the inomeat there are


bits are-added. Broken down, the figure


repesents about 33 acres at Roefield and Edisfortl. six or eight acres at Brungerley, about 15 in the Castle ; grounds and the rest com­ prises playgrounds and areas of lawn, such as that at


Castleford. Bowling, putting, tennis


and netball enthusiasts all have a part of the Castle


grounds set aside tor them, football pitches are situated


at Edisford and Roefield, there is swimming in the river as well as fishing, and Brungeriey Park is almost a naturalist's paradise. There is a small fee for most of the games amenities


by Fiona Brown


the games and general park- ; keeping patrol. Their working days are


a patrol of the Castle grounds by Secm-icor guards with dogs is -necessary at night. Mr. John Hall, park super­


staggered so there is always someone on duty. Vandals have meant that


already has a large number of well-established trees. Mr. Hall lias to be dip­


lomatic when it comes to doing anything with Brun­ gerley because of the nature lovers to whom the park is important. The park can be described


as a bird sanctuary, and as no cars are allowed inside, enthusiasts and wild life are virtually undisturbed.


Buoy


intendent since 1943, finds that damage is not- as pre­ valent as it was, though there is still a lot of van­ dalism of, what he terms, nuisance value. This includes youths hav­


ing a free for all fight in the middle of -tile flower beds and writing obscenities on walls.


Gardens


but if is never very much, and there are reduced prices for old age pensioners at certain times on the bowling greens.


Pheasants


small playground w-ith a paddling pool in the Castle grounds and a playground is soon to be erected in Edis­


For children there , is a


ford Park. If none of these attractions


interest you, there is the museum at the Castle and a small zoo that the children


enjoy visiting. I t has rabbits, chinchillas, pheasants, peacocks, para­


ford are used by people from all over the country, and even the Continent. Five hun­


keets and guinea Camping facilities at Edis­


dred cars -have been counted there on one Sunday after­ noon.


for anyone with a Corpora­ tion permit and a River Board licence, a fishing rod and a few spare hours in which to catch them. There are 12 or 14 atten­


Trout.in the river are there ' >


dants who look after the parks, and about four on


habitants, especially the older ones, make full use of


Many of the town’s in­


special or out of the ordinary I can guarantee it'll grow legs and walk away”, said Mr. Hall. Some green fingered visi­


escape damage despite vigil­ ant watches being kept on them. “If we plant anything


the Castle and its gardens by going and sitting there among the beautifully kept flower -beds. However even these don’t


ference to the use of the parks. They are always open, though naturally the Castle grounds close sooner in win­ ter, at about 6-30 p.m. when it is dark as opposed to 10 p.m. at the moment. The department is con­


The seasons make no dif­ s 1 1 ! m m . MM • £ * * *


Annual Outing Eighteen junior altar ser­


vers at St. Peter's Church, Stonyhurst, went on . their annual outing on Friday. Travelling by coach, they


first called at Skipton Swim­ ming Baths and then pro­ ceeded to Ingleton, where they had a picnic lunch. After a visit to the White


Scar cave and a scramble walk down the Ingleton Gorge, they left for More- cambe, stopping at Carn- forth R.C. Church for a


short while. The party had tea at More-


cambe and then spent a couple of hours on the front, before returning to Hurst Green via Longridge.


held on Saturday realised £158 and was opened by Mi-. John Aspinall, of Standen Hall, near Clitheroe. The event took place in the village hall.


Summer Fair The annual Summer Fair


. Waddington


stantly busy, weeding, tend­ ing the . plants and cutting the grass. Even-/ year about 15,000


bedding plants and 10,000 •bulbs . are planted. The


department produces all its own bedding plants.


by grass, flowers and trees, the noise-of -the lorries and the exhaust fumes seem far away. “You can’t put a value on


In the parks: surrounded Islands


tors unfortunately like to transfer plants to their own gardens. To try to prevent tills, the


•always escape. Trees


parks department - more often than not plant general bedding plants like gerani­ ums but even these -don’t


it has planted between 100 and 150 trees, mainly flower­


ment is looking for more ways to improve the parks. During the past few years


ing ones.Not many have been put in Brungerley Park which


All tlie time the depart-;


; ment are the traffic islands, street trees, lawns etc and land on Queen’s Close, Alma Place, Bolland Close, and part of Bolland Prospect. As if this, together with


many people take advantage of these pleasures either, but it is certainly a large num­ ber. Also needing regular atten­ tion from the Parks depart-


One can’t estimate how


ful day which was held at Waddington Vicarage last, year on behalf of Christian Aid, a meeting comprising of members from both the Parish Church and the Meth­ odist Church, was held on Thursday last to make plans for a similar effort this year.


Christian Aid Following the very success­


took place at this meeting which was very well attended, and it was agreed that an attempt to raise £250 should be made on behalf of the Steward Ward Memorial School in Utah Pradesh, India, which is hoping to train farmers for the future.


An exhaustive discussion


the pleasure people get out of coming up here and just sitting," Mr. Hall said.


Canon C. F. Goodchild, presi­ ded and it was resolved that every effort should be made to gain support for the effort which would take place at Waddington Vicarage on Wednesday, .August 20, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and that every house in the villages of both Waddington and West Bradford should be canvassed.


The Vicar of Waddington,


with all the others, provides a service that brings a lot of pleasure to a -lot of people.


Hall modestly explained. And it is one which, along


the parks themselves, wasn’t enough, the department also hlres out floral decorations for weddings and various functions in the town.. “I t’s just a facility", .Mr.


West Bradford Open Day .


both West Bradford and Waddington to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, was held at Waddington Vicarage, on Wednesday last, when the Vicar of Waddington, Canon C. F. Goodchild and Mrs. Goodchild acted as hosts.


Despite counter attractions


in the neighbourhod at the same time, many; people in­ cluding many from - the Methodist Church, took ■ ad-. vantage of the opportunity to enjoy in the Vicarage garden - the fine weather and the, good fellowship.


. Slaidburn


: Clitheroe,. was the - special; preacher at both the Metho­ dist Sunday; School Anniver­ sary services on Sunday.


Anniversary Sister Hannah;-Beilis, of


• piano by Miss Diana1 Miles,- . of Clitheroe.. v.’ ffiti vv,


Barrow, was the soloist7 and was accompanied, at the


- Edith Pickles,, of, CUtheroc. 1 Collections were- for Sun­


Guest organist was-Miss


d a y School .funds; and .the J collectors -were'George.Simp-',; son, in the afternoon; and in-;


, tho evening, Neville" and ’-Sheila’-Harrison/——


-------- L, Miss Susan " Haworth, of An ‘Open Day’ for people of m i saSBt wHSa


District jottings


Hurst Green


eran, bowlers were regaled with a story about their sport that can only be des­ cribed as apocryphal, at the prizegiving following their annual Veterans Cup


handicap. Making the presentations


was Mr. Chares Musson, who championed their - cause during the recent dispute about bowling charges. But on this occasion he


was in a more frivolous mood, as he went on to reveal some of his “researches” into the history of the game. Not only was bowls one of


the. oldest known' games—, it could bo traced back to th e . Ancient Britons—but in ; fact originated on the Castle


rock itself. I t appeared that in those


far off days there were three settlements in this area. ,


and was ruled by an ancient warrior, Jacque, and ' his wife Brunga, no doubt con­ nected with Brungeriey.


One was on the Castle hill,


gian family who had crossed the North Sea, some genera­ tions earlier, in t h e i r coracles, at considerable risk.


Jacque came from a Bel­


become m o r e generally known by his Briton friends as Jack. _..


Over the years he had ... .


been established on-the ifih now occupied by the Parish Church, and there was a much larger one on Worsaw Hill, ruled over by Ralph of Pendle, a distant ancestor of the Assheton family.


were established on hills, partly as a protection against


These ancient settlements


wild animals and attacks from other settlements, and also against oods from Mearly Brook, which gave some trouble, even in those


days.


Hard winter.


Indeed, so surrounded were


-they by dangers that; during the summer: months the women collected all the large women , collected- all the large, round stones they could find and piled them outside .their.; huts ready, to roll them?.-down the? hill against their enemies. ' ' After one particularly hard


‘arrived,Brunga/.-sent (her ' husband - Jack; out -.into the surrounding .'forest to' hunt for food.


winter, food had become very short, go as soon as spring


" ■' - .


- On his way back, after a-; successful ? day, he - called at ’ the Crown lnn, where he met ? , many, of his friends’ from;the.. Church hill settlement, a n d ' - after much liquid celebration, ? he left’ and called at'/the ' . ? Starkies,- . where,-, in .--winter,' - the lads from both--settle­ ments : used i


his-day’s hunting and eventu-' . ally arrived • at" his "local," • -the Castle Inn, where: there -, .was -much . jollification-;-and - ? he stayed1 until turning; out } time.


their -Friday... night;out.‘ ■ Here a,gain. ho. celebrated .


\ ■ . , .. Y v


-in good voice as he struggled ' ills.-way,up ,the steep,, slope of - v the Castle rock. s


' ' .


and fearing the worst she gathered up ah armful'of ?


. Brunga. heard . the noise


large, round stones S’ and i started' rolling -them, .down .-( the hill. ■ ., ^


» .


ing that they '.were being' ' attacked, also picked up then-.; f :


Neighbouring wives,1 :fear-«


round stones ’ and rushed to ■ the scene - of action. — ■ - When ; they; realised ; ■ the -


true'eause of all the'fuss they ' all . started/, to ’.’laugh and, £.- shouted .“She’s i tjowling - ’em' ;'-i at-Jack” ,: , . - , . v ; <.• , y . .


■ beginning of bowling, as'/we Y know ~it . today. Y Y y o ' iY l, ’


That,was .how(the '“Jack”,■ got" it's name,-.'arid-.was' .the'®


Y And many, of those' present," reports' Mr. 'Musson. .seemed - % t0 ' swallow ’ the -story, hook, Y? line and ‘stoker,. -, *,


Colour photos


• Sports’ coveragi events-and per:


Underwood an-


'the-Minister o round u


. He eventually' arrived "full ( of song, and ale and he was s ■


to -.' gather ./for'' ■?., A second 'setUcmeiit' had " ftiSm m < &


i s g y * Simon Westhcad, wil


Padiham on Saturday slay top of 1


A nail- finish


The atmosphere wi| ground on. Saturday, by a mere two runs leadership of the Ril


Clitheroe. who had-bee out for 37. grabbed th- six Padiham wickets for 17 runs the last two if: in the extra overs. ::


In a naibbiting???; f


to claim the extra-five at ten to seven- when were at 74—4, but they about 45 minutes to another eight runs, dfl which time they ?; lost wickets.


Padiham were in a pc


ually claimed by Clitf and they captured one \ | in the first of these, anc


the final wicket in the Batting first, Clithem shocked when Graham 1 was caught by Stevens| Halsall on the second ' the match.


Tlie last Clitheroe fell at 97 when Roy


was caught by Elavf Grccnhalgh lor seven, ' Tomlinson, at two ’not I Padiham lost open|


Devon at 15. but R. son and M. Greel reached 53 before-Stel was caught by McLcJ Brown for 17. ,-


remarkable one. -Greer, who had come in r. three, had stayed ?; a wicket and looked set


the match for Padihan In the third of - the


The last, wicket was < The extra overs were <1 ■HI


overs, he hit a four of ton's first delivery, t-i single off the second.; Hi ncr. K. Coward, took ov


scored a single off th ball, but Greenhalgh w missed on ihe very


delivery. Needing only three nl


victory, Greenhalgh;. wir previously been dropped tried to hit a four to I point, but his lofty shj caught, after-some accl


Margaret! TonyJackl


-David He


b \ l


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