The Meanderthals: LONGRIDGE

" IT IS WRITTEN...." 6.5 Miles

Written About :- Vic, Paddy, Danny, John W, Mike, Jim.

A plethora of roadworks caused much confusion as our walkers made their way to the crowded car park of Longridge Civic Hall.

Once gathered together we set off down Berry lane .

Just before the corner we came across this sign.

We always are and do !

Then just around the corner was the first house that John W and Val, his wife, bought when they got married.

Next we encountered some of the road work causing so much annoyance to Longridge residents and visitors.

It's the classic scenario "There's a hole in the road and the men from the council are looking into it,"

Soon after we cut across Sainsbury's car park and left Longridge by way of the cricket fields.

Where we had our coffee break.

Paddy wished to remain incognito but that hat is far too big !

and we found a cricket ball ....... Which we left next to the club's door.

Leaving the cricket ground we turned east along the road to chipping but soon left it to follow Lords Lane up the slope of Longridge fell.

Half way up the lane we passed this sign on a gate.

The sign spoke the truth . There was no well or barn to be seen.

The Lane ended at a large farm complex and then turned right along a woodland path. This took us to the bottom end of "Smith's Sports Field".

Time for lunch. But first check out the "Info plaques".

The retired teachers amongst the group insisted that a group of elderly men should not sit in a child's playground watching young children. So we sat a little distance away to munch and crunch our lunch.

As you can see, once again, Martin joined us for lunch.

Lunch over we left the park, crossed the road and dropped down past the former restaurant (Heathcotes)

Formerly known as the "Quarrymen's Arms"

Thinks.......the Beatles were first called the "Quarrymen"

to a small development of "Designer " homes.

There was even a designer bird feeding station.

Vic , todays leader, had taken us this way to admire the wonderful panoramic views,

Goodbye to Martin as we set off again heading for the "Corporation Arms".

"Don't pose" I said" I'm trying to take a natural shot."

Do you think someone is posing ?

We turned left close to the Corporation Arms and followed the road towards Hurst Green.

After about half a mile we left the road and tramped through the fields towards "Written Stone Farm".

The approach was rather messy but the farmhouse itself was a solid and well maintained building.

And then we arrived at the "Written Stone" itself.

The written stone is considered a chronic trouble maker. Quite right .... there was some slight altercation in the group as to it's history.

THE LEGEND OF THE WRITTEN STONE

There are several versions of the Written Stone Legend but the most usual is that a "Foul Murder " was committed near here and the stone was laid to expiate any ghosts.

Upon it was written :-

"RAVFFE RADCLIFFE LAID THIS STONE TO LYE FOREVER 1655 "

However locals at that time continued to claim that a Boggart still haunted the area. A farmer decided that it would be ideal to keep things cool in his dairy/buttery so taking horses (2 or 10 ??) he moved it. BUT everything he placed on it fell off , spilling milk , water, whey etc. He decided to put it back. Only one horse was needed. the accidents ceased and no-one has ever dared to move it since. Other versions can be found.

This legend has been turned into a fantasy novel by Andrew Hartley the son of Frank one of our original Meanderthals (R.I.P.) He also wrote a fantasy novel about Cold Bath Street. in the university district of town, This book was centred around the Longridge railway line as it passed through Ribbleton and went off through the "Miley Tunnel", Andrew is a successful author both here and in America.

"What do Boggarts actually look like ? "😉

The curse of the "Written Stone " did actually follow us as our route lay along a very narrow path filled with head high nettles . John W was not amused as he was the only one in shorts.