A lovely river running through Catlow Bottoms. 
James happily waving with a smile, better then anyone else managed.
Robert trying to snap a photo of us, I got there first.
William trying to get a picture of us after we walked up a VERY muddy little hill, but obviously I had to get a picture of him concentrating with his camera.
Tasmi and Lynne enjoying the stepping stones across the ford. They did enjoy it alot.
Catlow Bottoms, up near The Shooters is definitely one of those places that you only find out about through information passed down from one generation to another.
ReplyDeleteI was introduced to this wonderful picnic spot by my late father-in-law. We would take the kids up there for a paddle in the ford while the grown ups had a brew and a butty.
From the 1500s up to the late 19th Century Walverden stream along Catlow bottoms was dammed up metres high with trees and wood in pursuit of highly sought after lime, which had various uses in the farming industry. Starting at the ford it was dammed up to create a massive torrent of water when released that must have been quite a sight. When the torrent had passed, the lime which was quite rare around here would be left exposed. There were around 5 limekilns in use on either side of the stream from the ford all the way to Pig-Hole mill which is half a mile down. One such ruin can still be made out about half way down accompanied by some old cottages/farmstead that have long since diminished but can be seen on an old 1843 map.
ReplyDeleteThis land and the fields above the woodland were part of the Catlow Hall estate. The land was "Oxgang land" and was in the Sagar and Walton families for centuries. This ancient area was farmed from at least the 1100s and is home to Roe deer, Badger, Pheasant, Otter and many rare flowers and over 45 species of birds. A beautiful place, untouched by modern day hand.
Wow, thanks Dave.
ReplyDeleteThe decision to release the dam would have been an exciting time for all concerned.
Lets hope its stay untouched by modern hand, not just for future generations to enjoy but for the diversity of wildlife up there.
Thanks again for taking the time to help us with our Nelson blog, your information is valuable.
Please note that the long established footpath which follows Walverden stream (from Walverden Reservoir to Catlow Bottoms), has now been closed to the public, due to a recent change of ownership of the land. As many local people will testify, this walk has been enjoyed for many years, and constitutes an important part of our local heritage. It has been closed unilaterally, prompting a number of complaints to Pendle Borough Coucil. If you feel strongly that the closure of this well established and much loved footpath is both unneccesary and unacceptable, please contact the Countryside Access officer at Pendle Borough Council to lodge your objection. The greater the number of objections, the greater the chance of successfully designating it a public footpath, thus securing it for the enjoyment of future generations.
ReplyDeleteBefore the anonymous blogger gets too carried away, maybe it should be pointed out that this so called `right of way` that incidently never, ever legally has been a footpath, has on several seperate occasions had walls and fences repeatedly knocked down or trashed by people thinking that they can please themselves where they trespass.
ReplyDeleteAfter speaking personally to the previous owner of some 30 years, it should maybe be noted that on more occasions than they care to remember, the police have been called out due to various acts of vandalisn and theft. More importantly the butchering of various livestock over the years including more recently Badger baiting. Last year two Deer were savagely mauled by dogs being `walked`. The new owners have apparently decided to preserve the wildlife by fencing the area off from so called `nature lovers` in a bid to bring back the dwindling character that has been erradicated over a period of time due to badger baiters, hunters, partygoers, empty beer cans and dog defication and in doing so have the best interests of the surrounding countryside and wildlife at heart.
Hopefully people will realise that just because they may want somewhere for their dogs to run free and shit, doesnt mean that they can please themselves in choosing someone elses land and doing just so. Private means private and if they really respected and cared for Catlow Bottoms then they would appreciate that fact.