Monday 8th January 2018
| Walk: | Lane Head, Big End, Pendle Way, Barley, Lower Black Moss Reservoir, Aitken Wood, Pendle Sculpture Trail, Upper Black Moss Reservoir, Black Moss Road, Twiston Moor, Twiston, Twiston Beck, Score Clough Beck | ||
| Start Point: | Downham car park | Grid Reference: | SD 784 440 |
| Distance: | 12 miles | Ascent: | 2,500 feet |
| Time: | 6 hours | ||
| Weather: | Some sunshine with a very cold wind on the summit | ||
| Comments: | With plans to lead this walk for the group my main aim was to check out the sculptures and plaques in Aitken Wood, following the route of The Pendle Sculpture Trail. The sculptures take their inspiration from the area's wildlife and nature as well as various events that are associated with Pendle Hill. Sarah McDade designed the plaques which symbolise the ten people from Pendle who were accused of witchcraft over 400 years ago. |
||
Looking back towards Downham - it's getting colder!
The frost on the moss creates a look of white flowers . . .
and highlights the pattern of the posts
It looks like a lovely day but the strong wind makes it bitterly cold on the summit
Black Moss Reservoirs and Aitken Wood - my destination
Looking back to Pendle Hill from Lower Black Moss Reservoir
All ready for Christmas . . .
but a bit cold to open presents here
Another view of Pendle Hill as I continue into the woods where there is a sculpture trail
The first sculpture is the Quaker Tree which represents the branching out of the Quakers from humble beginnings in Pendle
In 1652 George Fox had a religious vision on top of nearby Pendle Hill . . .
which led him to found the Quaker Movement.
The first sculpture is the Quaker Tree which represents the branching out of the Quakers from humble beginnings in Pendle
Sarah McDade produced a tall stoneware sculpture inspired by the atmosphere of the wood. It is 2 metres high and combines incised decoration representing tracks and pathways,
with carved symbols and hollows highlighted with glazes.
Lead Artist, Philippe Handford, designed "tumbling" tree arches, Reconnected 1 . . .
and Reconnected 2 while other artists designed . . .
A Witchfinder
Three Bats . . .
Living Wall . . .
Life Circle . . .
Gateway - and others still to be found
Katherine Hewitt, whose husband was a weaver, was implicated
by James Device as having killed a child from Colne
Alice Nutter lived in Crowtrees which is part of the village of Roughlee
Anne Whittle's nickname was "Chattox" because she was given to chattering
Elizabeth Device was accused of having a spirit dog
Elizabeth Southern was imprisoned at Lancaster Castle
Anne Redferne was accused of making a clay doll in order to kill a local man
John Bulcock was said to have roasted mutton stolen at the Malkin Tower gathering
Alizon Device begged some pins from a pedlar and was accused
of cursing him when he refused to give her anything
James Device ate communion bread and described
"a thing in the shape of a hare" which threatened to pull him to pieces
The Witchfinder, Martyn Bednarczuk
Approaching the outskirts of Downham as the sun sinks low