February’s Busy Month
So much happened in the month of February that the entire March meeting was virtually taken up reporting it.It was good to welcome two visitors to the meeting, both of Park Lane Bottoms. They were generally interested in Cowling History.
The meeting began with a request from a third visitor, the chairman of the Village Hall Committee. He advised the group that the Village hall was 125 years old and that the committee were to celebrate this on the 10th April. He asked the group to be involved, to show what they did and to show the history of the village hall. The feeling of the group was that this was short notice. Members did not know if they were available on the date mentioned. We did know that we did not have enough information about the village hall to display its history.The chairman said he would contact the village hall committee regarding the matter.
Just after the February meeting a request had been received for the group to give a talk to Lothersdale over 60’s about our work. This had been arranged for 21/7/10
A member has acquired a postcard dated 1909, showing stepping stones crossing the beck adjacent to Carr Head. The whereabouts of these stones and the reason for a river crossing in that area lead to much discussion.
It was reported that two members had made a visit to the Emmett Moor shooting hut to see if anything remained of the circular hut portrayed on the group website. Part of the ruined walls remained, but a new rectangular hut was now in use.
In February the chairman had communications with a Slaithwaite radio station and the Moonraking festival committee, regarding our Moonraking story. It is hoped to forge a connection between the two villages with Moonraking in common.
There was a communication with a past visitor to a meeting, reporting that a member had helped trace part of the family history and extended knowledge about the Gott family tree.
The idea of having historic pictures in All Saints parish church was reported to the group. Permission was given for any website pictures to be used for this purpose.
A past landlord of the Bay Horse public house, 1973-6 had contacted the group offering memorabilia of the pub and pram race. They also questioned the whereabouts of a bowl and plaque commemorating fundraising efforts, from the charity concerned.
A member requested photos, information regarding the demolition of Providence Place, Cowling in the 1960’s. This is to go in the next newsletter item under “Do You Know?”
Drystone Radio again requested input from the group. The chairman is to inform them that we have been on a programme in the past and are quite happy advertising aourselves in the village through the newsletter.
It was reported that a standing stone with a hole through the top in Berry Bottom, near the footbridge, has been removed. It is suggested that the stone could possibly be linked either to a gateway or industrial use in rope making.
Ickornshaw Beck weir, it was reported has collapsed. Presumably it has stood since circa 1791, when Ickornshaw Mill was built. One of the visitor to the meeting suggested it may be rebuilt for historic reasons. The group asked to be kept informed.
It was reported that two members had walked from Middleton to Kildwick along as much of the Corpse Road as was possible at that moment, with there being no Ridge Mill Bridge at present.
The meeting ended on a light note as a temperance pamphlet from the nineteenth century was circulated. Thiswas against allowing a licence for a new public house. Unfortunately it was not dated and the public house in question was not named.
