It's BLACK and WHITE
HALLTOGETHER AGAIN :- Danny, John, Anthony, Mike.
The magnificent "Samlesbury Hall" six miles east of Preston, was our destination today. The last time I went into the hall I was a boy who's age was in single digits. Pronunciation of the name was not easy then and for some it still isn't.
SAM'SBERRY ? SAM-ULS-BURY ? SAM-LES-BURY ?
Being posh, of course we pronounce it PSALMS-BURY
Posh? you lot 😏👎
With John's car out of action his kind colleagues came to pick him up.
We soon left Preston but as we came to the junction of the road to Blackburn and the A59 towards Whalley, heavy traffic and confusing road markings forced Mike to take the wrong road.
"Look for a turning to the right." came the chorus from the passengers. We took the next right and found ourselves up against the barriers into the BAE works, OOPS ! We all had to sign the "Official secrets act" (No we didn't) before we were allowed through the barriers into one of NATO's strategic defence establishment in order to turn around at the first roundabout and come out.
Here's the reason for the security
LIGHTNING
TORNADO
EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON
Once back on the right road we soon found our way to Samlesbury Hall.
John's new "Rucksack" (Manbag) caused much hilarity and derogatory remarks. John was deeply hurt and upset ( No he wasn't he joined in the laughter.)
But look what was inside it :- Flask, Umbrella, Phone, Wallet, Penknife, First Aid Kit, Camera, Magic toilet Key.... and there's room for more, So Ya Boo !
There was plenty of parking space and we quickly made our way into the ancient hall.
There was no charge to go in but donations would be welcome. We were greatly amused by the "Donations Box " which said a thank you each time we dropped a coin in.
There was no-one official around so we set off to explore the Hall.
Not all the rooms were suitably furnished but those that were , were magnificent.
Danny (The Prof.... ) showed us where the Priest hole was hidden next to the fireplace.
One of the families with connections to the Hall were the Southworths. Anthony told us of St John Southworth a priest who was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. His remains were taken to France where, unbelievably, his body was stitched together before being secretly and safely buried.
His whereabouts were discovered in 1927 and his remains were eventually buried in Westminster Cathedral.
At one end of the main hall (?) there was a minstrel's gallery where shadow silhouettes moved in time with the music which was playing. What a clever idea.
As it was Halloween the hall was hosting a Halloween event that evening which had been booked out.
Connecting one part of the house to another was a long "gallery" which was possibly rather a modern addition.
Almost impossible to believe........ on occasions over the years planning permission has been sought to bulldoze the Hall and build a housing estate..... NEVER !!!
As we left the Hall we came into a small but attractive courtyard in the middle of which was a fountain. The fountain invited us to "HOOK a DUCK"
From here we now visited the Shepherd's hut area. There were more than twenty of these in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The larger ones contained a double bed, a small kitchen area and a "bathroom" of sorts.
Has a dog booked in ?
LUNCHTIME !
After lunch there were still some small areas of the grounds to be explored. A Community Garden and a children's play area,
Our visit over we wait near the exit for Mike to bring the car round.
Another excellent visit to a place some have not visited in decades or not at all.
The last few weeks have shown us what a fascinating and historic place we live in. We set off from Grimsargh, originally a Viking settlement, to visit Samlesbury an early Medieval Hall. Passing as we did through the 20th and 21st centuries (British Aerospace) and returning through Ribchester with it's Roman ruins and nearby Stydd chapel, a Knights Hospitaller building and the Almhouses. WOW !
WHAT NEXT
WE SHALL SEE NEXT TIME
"BYE"
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