Update on the Field Walk - Sunday 21 August 2011

Black Brook Field Walk Sunday 21 August 2011
The walk will start at 1.30pm The meeting place will be on the old Canal bridge on Crosse Hall Lane, off Eaves Lane (SD 595 174). Parking is on the left hand side of new road, adjacent to St. James’s School playing fields.
The walk of about 3 miles will follow a figure of eight route for approximately 2.5 hours, and will be mainly on paths. Sensible walking shoes are advisable. The walk will not be peaceful or especially scenic but will be looking at an area that has been of importance at different periods in the history of Healey.....and its neighbour, Chorley. Contact John Harrison (cejeharrison@btinternet.com or 01257 271257) if you need further information.

Thu 07 Jul 2011
Evening visit to Browsholme Hall nr Clitheroe

A total of 34 members and guests made there own way to Browsholme Hall, pronounced Brusom, for 6.30pm for a guided tour around it. The hall has been the family home of the Parker family for 500 years.
The group was by Simon Jervis, a member of the Parker family, at the front of the hall. He described the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian architectural styles of the red sandstone hall. The view from its south-facing front was one of sweeping parkland with woodland in the distance.
 

Elizabeth Parker a 'Gentleman's Daughter'

The Dining Room was added in 1807

Simon explained that he is a half brother of Robert Parker who is the present owner. Much work has been done and continues to be done to restore the hall.
After this Simon introduced us to Linda and Irena, our guides for the evening. We were then split into 2 groups for ease of movement around the hall.
Browsholme Hall was built in 1507 when John O’Gaunt invited the Alkincoat family from Colne to look after the King’s stags in Bolland, more commonly known as Bowland. Since then there have been just 15 owners of the hall. In time the family name changed to Parker and their coat of arms includes 3 stags’ heads.
I was in the group led by Linda and she first took us into a large room called the Hall. It dates back to when hall was originally built but what you see now was essentially arranged at that time it was rebuilt in 1807. This room filled with many interesting items the family had collected over the centuries. Not least the fine 16th, 17th and 18th century furniture. Other items included the coat worn by Captain Thomas Whittingham killed at the Battle of Newbury, numerous pieces of armour, weapons and a piece of a Zeppelin from World War 1.
Linda said that Browsholme Hall is the oldest house in Lancashire with a family living in it.
We were led into the adjoining Library, cut off from the Hall in about 1754. It contains wall panelling that dates back to 1620. This then led us to the Drawing Room and Dining Room, which were additions from the early 19th century. Their walls adorned with paintings, many of descendants of the Parker family. Many of the paintings on display were actually copies, the originals being sold off.
The indoor air temperature was much cooler than expected for a July evening and Linda said this was normal. Robert Parker is said to describe this not as cool but ‘atmospheric’. Threatening clouds and rumblings of thunder outside only added to the atmosphere.

We were then led through the Ante Room, along the back corridor and up the stairs. On climbing the stairs we were faced with a remarkable stain glass window. The oldest piece of which dated back to the 1300s.
We had a view of a bedroom, the Yellow Room, which contained a mahogany four-post bed. Linda said she was 5 ft 2 ins tall and demonstrated how short the people must have been by lying on the bed to show it was not really long enough for her.
Our final room was the Drawing Room, which included of 18th century panelling and items of furniture from the same period. These contrasted with the flat screen TV in the corner and other common items you would find in a modern home.
Both groups then met up again in the Hall for a final word from Simon. This rounded off an interesting visit to an historic family home, one where you could not only touch the furniture but also sit on the chairs if you wished. We then departed to allow the Parker family to enjoy what remained of a now pleasant, sunny July evening, in peace.

Peter Robinson   
 

Friends of Ribchester Roman Museum