Moonrakers Cowling Local History Group

It was decided that the light nights of these months should be given over to walks that would help us in our objectives for the year. Therefore on May election night a group set off on a clear but cool evening to see what work was needed on the Viscount Snowden Memorial Cairn erected in the Memory of Cowling’s most famous son. This was a man who by his own endevours rose from being a weaver’s son to be Chancellor of  the Exchequer in the first two Labour governments and a National government.

The cairn lies in a field, on the moorland edge, approximately one mile south west of the village. Its a lonely spot, battered by prevailing wind and weather. It was noted and later reported to the Parish Council that the monument is in need of pointing and the plaques need a clean-up. There are three signs to the Cairn. One needed relocating, one needed replacing and one needed a complete paint job. This has also been reported to the Parish Council. We suggested that an alternative signing could be via highway tourism  brown signs. This is to be discussed at a Parish Council Meeting. Thanks go to those members who completed the survey.

On the June meeting night the group met on a clear evening to walk from Holy Trinity Church around Ickornshaw and finish off  by walking up past Cock Hall and the Foresters Hall. This was a walk to gather information with the possibility of a public walk later in the summer. New information that came to light was:

• Only one vicar lived in The Old Vicarage
• The old vicarage is a very old house – possibly 17th C, with a 19th C extension.
• “‘The Hippies”,opposite Town End Farm, in the 1970’s, in Ickornshaw, were a group of young people employed to learn horticulture. It was refered to as a commune, which were fashionable at the time.
• The grocery shop near the bridge  in the 20th C was originally a stable (now Squirrell Cottage) – evidence on present owners deeds.  The house next door where the shop owner lived was originally a hand loom weaver’s. The stable was built after the adjoining hand loom weaver’scottage. It is said that there is a staircase up to the upper floor of the old stable in the wall between the two buildings. It is also said that the cupboard at the back of the old shop (previously the stable) was a door to the rear where children were able to sit and drink pop. The hand loom weavers building is very old, possibly 18th century.
• It is said by the present owners of Squirrel Cottage that the end cottage opposite at one time was a public house or an ale house.
• The top of Nan Scar was the sight of a 20th C murder.
• Was Cock Hall a venue for cock fighting? Is there any evidence?
• What is the history of the Forester’s Hall? – Enquiries have since been made of the Ancient Order of Foresters. We have had a reply and we await research of their records. 

This short walk ,due to the facts that arose and the people we met lasted for nearly three hours and proved a very fruitful stroll.

Next month we will meet to report and make decisions following these walks and discuss other information that has come in during the last two months. Also in July we have a talk to give to Lothersdale Over 60’s and our participation in Cowling Gala to plan