11 28 ClitheroeAdvertiser&Tinnes,T>iursday, May 11th, 2006 www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) + Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified) www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Clitheroe Advertiser &Times, Thursday, May 11th, 2006 29 C i by Tracy Johnson in In fact, in historical and geographical


WALKING through Slaidburn is like stepping back in time. The isolated and protected village,


surrounded by the Bowland Fells, is considered by some to be in one of the


' loveliest valleys in England. The busy village is a popular spot


with tourists, especially walkers, and its location on the banks of the Hodder make it a fascinating spot to appreciate amazing scenic views. An Area of Outstanding Natural


Beauty (AONB) Slaidburn was origi­ nally part of the West Riding of the County of Yorkshire before the bound­ ary changes iii 1974 - which has led many villagers still to consider them­ selves as Yorkshire folk.


terins the village is still in Yorkshire, but its secular administration from Lan­ cashire has been part of the "Honor of Clitheroe" since the 12th Century. Slaidburn, like Downham, is st ill


largely owned by a single family. The present Squire of Slaidbum is Mr John King-Wilkihson who succeeded to the estate on the death of his father. Col. L. C. King-Wilkinson in 1979. The King- Wilkinsons have owned the village for several hundred years and have taken care to ensure that it has remained unspoilt by modern development and, as such, it remains virtually unchanged since the early 19th Century. The ancient atmosphere is clearly evi­


dent with its narrow streets and distinc­ tive grey stone. It houses a mostly 15th Century church, with a three-decker


pulpit, massive ancient doors and a Jacobean chancel screen. The Hark to Bounty Inn, which dates


back to the 13th Century, is home to the original Moot Courtroom of the Forest of Bowland, which was said to have been used by Cromwell. The Slaidburn Steam and Vintage


Vehicle Display takes place,in June, while the peace and tranquillity of fish­ ing can be enjoyed at the nearby Stocks Reservoir.


A war memorial in honour of the men


of Slaidburn who fought and lost their lives stands in the centre of the village, while a heritage centre,.craft shops, tea­ rooms and the Ribble Valley’s only youth hostel are also to be found there. It is fair to say that Slaidburn is a place certainly not to be overlooked.


SLAIDBURN’S war memorial takes pride of place in the centre of Ihe village (B030506/2e)


m if


Silver band with a royal connection


FOR more than a century, Slaid­ bum Silver Band has been enter­ taining audiences. Currently with 26 players, it was


reformed in 1898, but is believed to have been started around 1852 by the church organist at the time. It is probably most famous for


its march “Slaidbum”, which was in the film “The Full Monty”. The march was written especially for the band by William Rimmer, who visited the village in the 1930s and has since gone on to become one of the best known marches in the brass band world. The band, led by conductor Mr


John Cowking, had the honour of playing in front of Her Majesty


during a visit to the Hodder Valley 1989. Mainly playdng for local events,


A smiling face and a friendly welcome


A FRIENDLY and personal service awaits every customer who visits Slaidburn Village Store. With a welcoming smile from new pro­


prietor Claire Firth, customers who pass through the busy store will be spoilt for


choice with the selection of goods on offer. Located opposite the Hark to Bounty


and the youth hostel, the central store is equipped with Post Office facilities. Lot­ tery and fresh sandwiches, therefore attracting a variety of customers from locals, walkers and travellers.


, ,. Claire, along wth her husband Andy


and sons Daniel (13) and Alex (10) took over the business in March.


Moving from Blackpool, they are


thrilled with their new venture. “We love it here,” said former nurse


Claire, whose face for the moment you will see more of than Andy’s, as he is a military musician in the British Army. “He is due to come out in two years, so


we wanted something we could do together,” she added.


. With Daniel at Bowland High School.


and Alex at Brennands Endowed Prima­ ry School, the family seemed to have set­ tled perfectly into their new home, .


ever did,” said Claire. However, a familiar face still remains


behind the counter, as Zoe, one of the previous business owners, is staying to run the Post Office. She and her hus­ band, John Nelson, and their son and daughter are well known in the village


after living and nmning the store for 12 months. Also helped in the store by Beverley


and Elizabeth, Claire understands the importance and essential role it plays in the village. Something, I am sure the many ci^tpmera who use,it do too.


\fttelcO|g£tociaidbujl^ It s brilliant here, the best thing we THE picturesque village,


above, on the banks of the Hodder has changed little over the centuries


(B030506/2g), and a warm welcome, left, is always


guaranteed (B030506/2g) Pictures by


BEN PARSONS T j


fS Q


such as church processions, sports days, agricultural shows and indoor concerts, in August they


will play at the annual Proms Night at Clitheroe bandstand and they also star in the popular Brass at the Bounty season of concerts, in Slaidbum, which begin on May 25th. Mr Cowking, who joined the


band in 1972, is also the organist for St Andrew’s Church - co-inci- dentally, just like the original con­ ductor!. “Banding” is a family tradition


for Mr Cowking. His father and grandfather played in the band, he met his wife, Alison, through it and his son and daughter have also played in it. The band has a varied age of


players, and Mr Cowking said that it is always looking for new people to join. Anyone who is interested can contact him on 01200 423855. Our picture shows Slaidbum Sil­


ver Band, (s)


OWNER Claire Firth and Sub Post Mistress Zoe Nelson at the Village Store in Slaidburn (B030506/2b)


A centre of local information


SLAIDBURN’S Heritage Centre provides tourist informationand displays, artefacts and an audio visu­ al presentation about the village heritage and the Forest of Bowland. It is .currently closed for refurbishment until next


spring however the archives section of the first floor is open for research on Wednesdays and Fridays. For further information please call 429036.


s > •


‘We’re just like one big family’ - head teacher


A VILLAGE school a t the heart of the community is how Brennands Endowed Pri­ mary School has been described by its headteacher. Mrs Barbara Milne-Redhead,


who has worked at the school since January 1990, speaks pas­ sionately and proudly about the school, which she says has a “strong family ethos”. “We know all the children and


their families very well. We are like one big family,” she said. - “The children are very good at supporting and looking after each other, which is something we are always complimented on outside of school,” she added. The 38-pupil school, which


opened originally as a grammar school in 1717, was endowed by local farmer Mr John Brennand. With the existing building still in use, an additional class, disabled room and mezzanine floor have been added to cater for the increased number of children who now attend. Helped by one other full-time


and one part-time teacher, two part-time specialist teachers and support staff, Mrs Milne-Red­ head describes her pupils as being “keen to learn”. “We want to develop all their talents and capabilities to the


- r ^ ^ r


PUPILS and staff at Brennands Endowed Primary School, Slaidburn (B030506/2a)


full and because of our small teaching groups we are able to achieve this objective,” she com­ mented. Pupils of the school, who come from a wide catchment area, are also privileged when it comes to their extra activities. Fortunate to be educated in


the beautiful surroundings of the Forest of Bowland, they take full advantage of this through partic­ ipating in bowling on the village green. Maypole dancing and, due to strong links with United Utili­ ties, are able to go tree planting and even choose their own


Silver anniversary


for popular show THE popular Steam and Vintage Vehi­ cle Display returns to Slaidbum in June. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the


rally, which attracts both locals and vis­ itors, will this year have a rural theme. Supported by the people of Slaidbum


and Newton, the event, which began in 1981 to raise funds for the Village Hall Committee, has over the years made in excess of £^,000. Continuing whenever possible each


year around the first or second weekend in June, it features vintage tractors and cars, plus various demonstrations, craft fair, stalls and children’s entertainment. Although a free event, honesty tubs


are located around the village for dona­ tions.


Being held on June 10th and 11th,


the event has united with St Andrew’s, Church and all donations will go towards the Slaidbum Village Hall and the Church Bells Appeal.


THE ever-popular Hark to Bounty Inn,


(B030506/2d) where a comfortable welcome awaits the weary traveller, below, (B030506/2C)


Christmas tree! With a new extension to cater for the founda­ tion stages opening soon anc comments about how friendly everyone is at the school, it is hardly surprising that Mrs Milne-Redhead is beaming frort ear to ear.


lA


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