Author books in to reveal Valley’s hidden heritage
STUART PIKE
AFORMER headteacher has published the first part of a comprehensive historical field guide to the Rossendale Valley.
Stephen Oldfield, who lives in Broadclough, Bacup, has explored and studied the valley ‘since he could walk’.
The first volume – concentrating on the Limy, Whitewell and Irwell Valleys - has finally arrived after 18 months of research,
●● writing and photography.
With just a few exceptions, he has taken all of the nearly 400 photographs in the book himself.
The book will appeal to walkers, cyclists and anyone who loves the heritage and landscapes of northern England.
Freelance writer Stephen, 51, said: “From a young age I had parents and relatives pointing me in the right direction and making the past a fascinating place to be.
“The book really is a culmination of all that encouragement as well as my own natural curiosity. As a teenager I used to long for a modern guide to what there is to see in the Rossendale Valley. There were some great 19th century books and brilliant focused studies by Chris Aspin as well as a number of books of old photographs that were fascinating in themselves – but there was no modern guide to what could be seen there and then.
“Hopefully, at last – we can now fill a gap with ‘The Forgotten Forest.’”
The book, which visits hundreds of places along the three river valleys, uncovers the stories behind buildings past and present, ancient sites, ghosts and gravestones, mystery and murder, and contains snippets of family history which add both humour and tragedy.
There will be five volumes when Stephen has completed the project, and he hopes it will leave a lasting impression.
“I don’t want it to be remembered as a dry history book,’ said Stephen. “There is plenty of humour in there; there’s suspense and even tragedy – but it all adds up to the bigger picture of what a fascinating place Rossendale really is. Some of these places have never seen print or a camera before.”
The publishing of the
●● Author Stephen Oldfield book has been generously supported by local history enthusiast Peter Fisher.
Stephen said: “Without Peter’s help we would have had a few colour pictures and many in black and white.
“I wanted to do the place justice and make a highly visual impression, and Peter has been enthusiastic and supportive with every stage of the book’s production. He wanted the same. Like me, he wants to see people really love the Rossendale Valley and if we can go some way to make this happen, all the hard work will have been worth it.’”
Signed copies of the book, limited to 1,500 copies, can be ordered by contacting Stephen at weathercote44@gmail.com or visiting the ‘Forgotten Forest’ facebook page.