General Chat

Thanks Dave, Much appreciated, would love to know exact location of farms. Just found this whilst googling:- The Pendle Witch Camp - Summer Solstice 2007 the For pagans, witches and other heathens amongst us, the forthcoming festival will be of interest: ADULT TICKETS (18 and over) - £25 each YOUTH TICKET (11 to 17 years old) - £17.50 each CHILD TICKET (10 and under) - No Charge for 1st two, then £10.00 each DAY TICKETS AVAILABLE @ £15.00 per day

Dave Sadly, my line parted company from the landowners round about 1700, lol. The Holdens owned at least 20,000 acres of Lancashire in the Middle Ages - and probably a lot more which was in concealed ownership. The Manor of Holden was so well known that no-one ever said exactly where it was and I have spent a life time trying to find it! All I know is that it was in an area somewhere betwen Clitheroe and the Forest of Boland. The Holdens were Stewards and Greaves of Boland. A later Holden, the non-conformist Ralph Holden, regularly visited Pendle Hill to worship at a secret non conformist chapel - no, not witchcraft! OC

OC, Were the 'none conformists' Quakers? There were alot of them around at the time. I think it was also against the law to be Catholic then. LL

Dont live there now unfortunately but do visit family quite regularly and would be more than happy to check anything out for you. Nutter is quite a common surname in the area. Dave retires bowing from waist and touching forelock in defference to OC (wow fancy owning the Forest of Bowland--superb)

Dave, I'm sure the book I bought says there is a Nutter buried in the churchyard, but its NOT thought to be her. You living there can hopefully confirm one way or another? LL

Fascinating Dave, I must pop over the M6 from Cumbria and visit again soon!! Caz xxx

One of the witches is buried in the churchyard at Newchurch. The church tower has an eye carved in it supposed to be the eye of God.......some say it is God keeping watch over the village..........others say it is to make sure the witch stays put !!!! Dave

Wow LL didnt know that. OC I remember you told me of Lancs links, forest of Bowland is so lovely and all the surrounding area, Caz xxx

ooooooo OC, You worth a few bob then? lol LLxx

Hello Caz, Apparently, one of the farms is still owned bt the Nutter family (decendants of Alice Nutter). LL

Ahem! *modest cough* My ancestors OWNED the Forest of Boland and most of the surrounding areas. But when I lived in Lancashire and went to school in Darwen, I didn't know that.... OC

Hello LL, am not too far away in south Cumbria and have visited some off the places, I have read ' mist over pendle' and loved the tales of Alice Nutter and her family, Caz xxx

Is that the novel Mist Over Pendle by Robert Neill? My gran was really interested in the Pendle Witches and after she died we got her copy of the book. I think it's still in print - I've seen it on sale in the bookshop.

Thanks Dave, I did buy a book, from the shop, but not that one and it doesn't tell you much really, just the trials in (1613?). But if we go again I will look at other books. LL

LL, The shop you mention is called 'Witches Galore' google the name and checkout their website (really good) also if you read,try 'Mist over Pendle' I think its by Harrison Ainsworth--fiction but set in all the places you visited and woven around the Lancashire Witches Dave

CHEKAY, Its common knowledge, my husband (THE LORD) dissappeared in 1974 and hasn't been seen since. Can't think where you have been not to have known that *TUTS*

Thanks Dave, Will do. We went on spur of moment, and didn't realise just how much there was to see and do. Hubby has since looked on internet for more places to visit in the area. Buggs, I am also interested in the witches. I am not sure tho if there is a map that actually tells you where the farms are. ( maybe Dave could tell us? But, you can't go without visiting, the areas Dave has already mentioned . We went through Newchurch and visited the witches shop. We went through Barley and another place (sorry forgot name) RoughLee etc. Very, Very pretty villages. LL

I'm on the edge of Clitheroe, heading towards Whalley. We have a great view of Pendle from our garden, and especially from my parents' room. I have some brilliant landscape photos of round there.

How's the Lord LL?

LL, Next time you go for a drive ...take the road from Clitheroe through to Lancaster via what is called 'The Trough of Bowland' THATS beautiful, Enjoy,Dave