RIBCHESTER

 BREMETENNACUM .. QUATTUOR MILIUM

AMBULATORIES :- Johannes et Martinus

On a bright sunny morning, though still with a chill in the air, we set off from the Ribchester playing fields car park and almost immediately bumped into the past in this small historic village.

The portico of the White Bull pub is reputedly recycled Roman materials.

Immediately opposite the White Bull is a terrace of Hand Loom Weavers cottages. The extra window above the upper story was said to provide extra light for the looms.

Just around the corner was the temporarily closed Roman museum with some large artefacts just outside

Scarcely more than a few steps further on and we arrived in the grounds of the Ancient St Wilfrid's church. 

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Everywhere the swathes of snowdrops heralded the coming Spring. 

We left the church grounds passing, as we did, through a rather tight kissing gate into a field which showed evidence of the ancient roman boundaries.

Scarcely half an hour gone ane we are already overdosing on "History".

Once over a tricky stile we followed a hard farm track to the large dairy farm in front of us.

The farmer was doing something unusual (to non farming folk/ He was pushing a long tube down a cows throat. He was administering a kind of painkiller as the cows were due to calve. I think he called it a "Boller" (?)

We carried on down the lane which itself was delightfully dry after our recent walks but there were wet bits though.

As  we walked more history appeared in the distance  across the river. The Tudor mansion "Osbaldeston Hall". 

We carried on until we arrived at the boat house. We presumed that this, although a couple of hundred yards from the river, had some connection with a previous ferry. The house itself was in poor shape . But the barn had obviously been bought and upgraded into a Desrirable property.

There was a paucity of seating opportunities along the lane so we used the wall at the barn's garden gate.

The chill breeze meant that Martin's "Firewater" was extra welcome.

As we turned and went back past the house further proof of impending dereliction emerged.

The stump of a tree growing out of a doorway. And a garden table that was not exactly well used.

We were soon back into Ribchester where a modern gate with historic  connections caught our attention.

The gentleman who owned the gates told us that each silhouette was about Ribchester's history but he couldn't immediately recall  what.

All the recent rain meant that although  today was dry the Ribble was still powerfully high. More history intruded as we recalled reading that the Vikings used the Ribble as part of their journeys from the Irish Sea to York.

On walks around Ribchester it is almost "De Rigeur"  to have our lunch on the benches behind the school wall next to the river. So here we are.

The views in either direction were a delight,

Even the views held history, There in the distance was Pendle. Integral to the sad tale of the Lancashire Witches,

At the far end of the benches a gentleman was sitting by himself drinking. Before we left he came past us and asked us not to touch his bag ???

We promised we wouldn't.

Our path now turned left to follow a muddy footpath along the banks of a tributary brook

Half way along this footpath the mud became almost impossibly thick, Fortunately we left it to look around the ruins of the Roman Bathhouse.

Leaving the Romans behind we set off to exit Ribchester in the opposite direction.. History continued to be ever present. Tucked away in a small patch of land (we had never come across it before) was the village War Memorial.

As we walked towards it these poignant words were on a flagstone at the entrance.

We now headed towards the 12C "Stydd"  church which in 1175 was known as the "Hospital under the Long  Ridge" and was home to the "Knights Hospitallers" Before we got there, however, ....  more history.

Leaving the village we passed these two establishments.

This is now a private home,

An old friend to some of our readers (parish lunches ?)

 Following the lane up towards the Stydd church we first passed St Peter and St Pauls Catholic church which, like several in the area, was built to resemble a barn as catholic churches were not allowed at the time.

In the land next to this church were the 18C almshouses.

Thoughtfully provided with their own freshwater supply.

Also down the lane we came across a very trendy "Old made New" industry,

...and so on to the Stydd Chapel.

As we sat outside the chapel finishing our flasks a gentleman came striding across the fields swinging a large key. "Do you want to look inside" he said. Even though we had seen inside several times before we could hardly refuse his kind offer.

Martin closely examines a Mediaeval fire extinguisher 😁

Amongst other things he pointed out that the chairs were locally made but although very attractive were also VERY uncomfortable..

When asked he told us that the legend of Margaret Clitherow being buried here was debatable but that the Jesuits from Stonyhurst believed this to be so.

He continued to say that the gravestones in the alter area were of catholic clergy and that the Clitherow's family vault was here too.. So.....?

When we took a photo of Margaret's possible burial stone a shaft of light mysteriously  intruded. I wonder if someone is sending us a message. I am not superstitious but...............

He showed us the "Devil's Door" close to the alter (for a quick getaway ?)

He also pointed out that the font was not well made but contained images of the areas history

As we left he pointed out the graffiti on the massive nailed door "Nothing new about vandalism is there" he mused.

We thanked him profusely and set off back to the cars. as we arrived at the car park a young lady was getting into her car outside the cafe,

Quite unprompted she said "Do you two want a drink. I've just locked up but I'll make you one if you want ?"  and so she did. Two delightful hot chocolates. (It was a little bit concerning that one glance caused her to think that these two elderly gents were in need of sustenance) 😞😞

 !

 THE END

JW

This was a most surprisingly interesting walk. Far too much to tell in this blog (I'll get in trouble for being too long ) but most of the things we came across can be found online if you want to know more.