~A look at Colne~
30th October 2010
Summiteer is being kept off the fells by indifferent weather and work commitments. So, for a change, Saturday afternoon was spent by taking a look at parts of the town of Colne, East Lancashire. You might call it urban exploration, but this town, the furthest east of the major Lancashire towns that lead into West Yorkshire is surrounded by the countryside.
The End of The Line
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Cliff Street, Colne
I parked close to Primet Mill in Colne and walked up Cliff Street - this only led back to the main road (seen here), but I wanted to get a good view of the railway viaduct, if possible. Unfortunately, the view was not possible due to trees.
Spring Gardens Mill
Colne is a town built on a hill, which is a little unusual in this neck of the woods. Mills were built on the flanks of the hill, the "South" and "North" Valleys as they are known. Pressed Felts, then John Cotton (Colne) Ltd. occupied this mill and made felts for various trades. Now, LBS Polythene use the mill, not sure how many floors are occupied - I'd like to have a look around.
The Admiral Lord Rodney
A pub with a reputation for tasty Real Ales. Never been in, but I notice from the local press that the landlord has left citing "loss of business to cheaper competition". This must have been thriving when there were more factories and houses nearby.
Aylesbury Duck
On my last local excursion along the canal in Nelson, I saw what I thought was an albino duck. My friend Jill B. thinks that they are Aylesbury Ducks - try Wikipedia for an exploration. One strong possibility is that this is the same duck as I saw on the canal in Nelson last Saturday, but it didn't seem to recognise me.
Colne Mills
I'm now following Colne Water in the direction of Carry Bridge. Birdwatchers - saw a heron and two dippers down here, my clumsy approach tends to scare the birds away.
Carry Bridge Ruin
Carry Bridge was a former industrialised area of Colne. The mills have gone and this ruin is attached to a farm. Strangely, the very bridge which gives the area its name, has the stonemason's chiselled scribe as "Carrey Bridge". All referances lead to Carry Bridge being the correct name.
Carry Bridge
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C.C. Carrey Bridge
The top photo reveals how the bridge was widened at some point, the carving being on the older part, nearer the camera.
Colne Water
Soon after this photo, the footpath leads to the road and takes walkers into Cotton Tree, near Trawden.
Cotton Tree Lane
The road from Colne to Trawden.
Tram Lines
There is an incline from Colne down to Trawden where trams used to run. I rejoined the river at Winewall and walked along to Spring Grove, before walking up to Keighley Road. Coninuing along the river leads to Wycoller.
Winewall
Spring Grove
Hartley Homes
Jam magnet, Sir William Pickles Hartley who was born in Colne, gave some of his profits to build these homes. I think you have to be getting on a bit or infirm, or both to live here. This is just about in Laneshawbridge, for those who know the area.
Winewall from Keighley Road
Skipton Old Road, Lidgett
Lidgett is a corner of Colne. I wish I could take a photo of some of these old cottages without cars in view.
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Keighley Road, Colne
These are sought-after properties, they have cellars and attics and look out on open countryside to the south-facing rear. In front, over the road is Colne Cricket Club. My occasional walking companion, Simon Baldwin used to live in the end house, close to where the lady with the bags is. The Robinsons may still live next door-but-one. My walk leads along the road to Colne centre.
Formerly Colne Fire Station
Now a cake shop, that you can't park outside.
Colne Centre
Colne is a busy little place, contrast this to Nelson, last week's destination. Mind you I am an hour earlier.
Town Hall, Colne
Colne Municipal Hall
They do some great turns here. Bumble's coming next week for a chat about cricket and stuff. Start the cars!
Carlo's Restaurant
Carlo's has been here for 20yrs +. Recently they brightened up the property with a coat of paint. Looks alright doesn't it? Not so, say Pendle Council, either repaint it black - as it was before, or apply for retrospective planning permission - this is a Grade II listed building and common sense does not apply.
Cobbled Street
There are lots of steep cobbled streets in Colne, more than any of the neighbouring towns. One such street was used as a film location in a Monty Python Film - can you think of the film and the song they sang?
To Skipton.....
When closing railways was in vogue, the secretary of state for such closed this line in 1970. What a shame, a missing link in a now busy and in-demand rail network. The line from Burnley to Colne is not busy itself, but what if you could still get to Skipton, linking with the Leeds, Settle-Carlisle line?
Walkers: Just Me
Time taken: 3hr 20 minutes, over about 5 miles.
Route: Primet Mill, up and down under the viaduct to Waterside, Colne Water to Winewall and Spring Grove, Keighley Road, Bent Lane and Skipton Old Road and then into Colne Centre and down the hill back to the start.
Weather and conditions: Sunny Intervals, clouding over.
Greetings Count: Dog walkers and a twitcher early on. Quiet along the river and then busy in Colne.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Nothing to report today.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©
Take me back to the start ....