HYNDBURN RAMBLERS
JANUARY 2019 Walking Programme:
The coach Ramble to Morecambe is on January 6 which will be a choice of various walks, booking essential.
Starting at 9am on January 13, is a walk to Downham, grade B, 12 miles.
On January 20, stating at 9am there will be a walk Round Pendle for the Clarion House which is grade C, eight miles.
The walk to Darwen Tower starts at 10am on January 27, is grade C and seven miles.
All walks except the coach rambles start at Plantation Street car park Accrington at times stated above.
Wednesday walks take place throughout the year leaving Plantation Street car park Accrington at 9.30am.
They are a choice of two walks grade A or B and the destination is decided the week before.
Wednesday walk enquires to Brian Wohlters on 01254 871 851, all other enquires to Nigel Brooke 01254 887750. Find us on Facebook.
ACCRINGTON DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
TONY welcomed three new prospective members to our last regular meeting of 2018.
Next Thursday will be the Christmas Lunch, so last chance to grab a place.
This week we met Mick Neary, poet extraordinaire.
He has rhymed since primary school but, some 10 years ago, decided to ‘educate’ himself.
Creative writing groups filled that bill and we were treated to a riveting and totally unscripted hour of Mick’s talent.
The subjects ranged from cheese to Sir Tom Finney, by way of Herbert Danson’s grandson’s wife, the Forest of Bowland and the behaviour of Capistrano’s swallows.
Every piece a wonderful example of how important it is to hear poetry, whenever possible, from the poet.
Then Mick gave us extracts from what he had written on the Great War in Lancashire.
Based around the story of Tom and Nell from Chipping and following them to Buffalo, New York.
Nobody in the room today will ever forget the Somme, where the whistles sending men over the top became the anguished whistles of mills when the whole county screamed its loss.
“I remember when you walked right here with me.”
We were also told of Inspirations, Middlesbrough’s blood, sweat and banter and The Bicycle.
Mick is someone we must try to get back.
In thanking Mick, Chris offered his appreciation with, Anticipating Christmas, though weather is quite murky, thoughts of Christmas pudding Will always keep me perky.
I really do love Christmas, but then – I’m not a turkey.
Carolyn closed, in rhyme, expressing the puzzle of all the little pills knowing just where in the body to do their particular thing.
There are still limited vacancies for new members.
Anyone who would like to join the fun should contact Tony Joy, on 01254 264 359 or, come to the next meeting, in the Supper Room of Accrington Town Hall on Monday, January 7, from 10am.
If you are retired or retiring soon, give it a try, for free, with coffee and a biscuit.
HYNDBURN OVER 50S FORUM
MEMBERS met for their November meeting at Bank Street.
Lesley Jackson welcomed guests and members and read the minutes of the last meeting and we heard about other meetings attended.
Lesley reported that she had attended a talk on ‘Action on Hearing Loss’ and reported that Specsavers offer a free hearing test if the GP requests the same.
Sue Sinclair from Homewise answered questions put to her and is always available to help the Forum.
CVS were also thanked for support they give to the Forum.
Everyone agreed that the lunch at Mill House in October was a huge success, especially the special cake made by Molly Robbins and the film TV crew.
Members were told that this will be shown on Channel 4 in the next series of Extreme Cake Makers.
Linda informed the group about arrangements for the Christmas party on December 5 at New Church in Oswaldtwistle.
The guest speaker was Cath Duckworth and her subject was Kinloch Castle and the Accrington Bullough family who eventually owned it.
Cath had worked at Accrington library in the special studies department and had visited the castle many times.
James Bullough was born in 1799 and the family had moved to Baxenden in 1853 and had three sons and two daughters.
James was involved with the improvements of weaving looms at The Globe Works.
The group found Cath’s knowledge very interesting and informative about the births and marriages in the family and how the boys had gone into the textile trade in Scotland and bought the castle and the island of Rum.
Son George was also Knighted and made a Baron.
Cath was certainly an expert on the history of the Bullough family and everyone enjoyed it.
She was thanked by Lesley and a light lunch was served.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 9.