Today was the Dedication and Unveiling of the Chorley Pals Memorial on the Flat Iron, Chorley. After photographing the memorial before the event I walked to the T.A. Centre on Devonshire Rd to photograph the parade preparations. Then it was back to the memorial for the official unveiling. It’s been a long time coming but I hope the people of Chorley appreciate it.

The Memorial

The Memorial

Lancashire Local History Federation held its Spring Day School at the Social Centre adjacent to St Peter’s Cathedral, Lancaster. Some subjects covered were Ben Edwards speaking about Preston’s 17th century armorial glass window which originated from Hampton Court.

Then Margaret Edwards gave two presentations on stained glass windows and the stained glass studios of Lancaster. James price gave a presentation on the Lancaster Architects Paley and Austin. It was interesting to note that the glass artists Shrigley and Hunt did windows in Heapey Church and Abbotts did one in Brindle Church.

Memorial to Queen Victoria, Lancaster.

St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster.

We reach the ruins of Ratten Clough in a snow blizzard.

In Brinscall Pine Woods the snow stops briefly.

The walk route

The summit of Fair Snape Fell in the sunshine while the Ribble Valley below is covered in mist.

On the summit of Parlick two hang gliders were waiting for some wind before taking off.

Lund Tower (right), above Cowling is believed to have been built by James Lund of Malsis Hall, but why or when is a mystery. A viewing platform at the top is freely accessible by a winding staircase.

On the way home a fantastic meal of fish, chips and peas at Kelbrook.

Wainman's Pinnacle, said to have been first erected as a memorial to the Napoleonic Wars by a member of the Wainman family of Carr Head Hall, Cowling. Pendle is in the distance.

This morning I picked up Roy Davies, a friend and ex-colleague, from his home in Longridge and drove to the Stocks Office and Reservoir site near Slaidburn. Roy used to me the manager there and we wanted to try and find some old date-stones from demolished buildings from Stocks-in-Bowland village. The village was flooded after the building of the reservoir dam and dam. I also wanted to see the glass plate negatives of the construction works done during the 1920s and 30s.

This building used to be the Hospital. it is the only building remaining from the temporary Hollins village.

Shaped By War - Photographs by Don McCullin

On Sat 6 Feb the Shaped by War exhibition by Don McCullin opened at the Imperial War Museum (north). I drove to Ladywell tram stop near Eccles and caught the tram to Harbour City stop then walked via the Lowry Centre. I had seen many of Don's iconic war images before but it was good to see some of his excellent moody landscape prints he made of the views around Somerset. Also on view were letters concerning his career as a newspaper photographer and it was interesting to see how little he was paid considering the worldwide income his employers made from his photographs.

Over the footbridge towards the
Imperial War Museum (North)

The Nikon that saved Don's life. The hole in the top right of the camera is where it stopped an AK47 rifle bullet in Cambodia.

Hue, Vietnam, February 1968: A US marine suffering severe shell shock waits to be evacuated from the battle zone

Photo of Don McCullin in front of one of his images. Photo from The Guardian

Frosty summit

Winter Hill transmitter masts and the moon.

I was out this morning for a cycle ride over Rivington and Belmont. There was frost on the roads making it a bit difficult in places.

This evening was the 60^th Birthday Party (3 days early) of my brother Dean at the Withnell Fold Sports and Social Club. The excellent local band ‘The Goodfellas’ provided the live music. It was good to catch up with old friends I hadn’t seen for years.

Dean's 60th birthday cake. Its a mountain with a tent on the summit and Dean in his sleeping bag.

Janice, Dean and Tom check out some pictures from the past.

Dean and some of the girls singing 'Donald where's your troosers'

The Goodfellas provide the live music.

Dean's acceptance speech

Today I experienced the minefield of buying a replacement mobile phone. My Nokia 6230i has given me 5 years excellent service but recently developed a fault as the ringtone stopped working, it crackles when switching on and the battery now lasts less than a day. So I thought a replacement was necessary. I only use it for pay as you go texting. It has an ancient O2 SIM but I also use an Orange SIM where that has better coverage. Yesterday I went to the O2 shop in Chorley and was told the nearest equivalent was the Nokia 2330 Classic at £40 but I would not be able to use my Orange SIM in it. Reluctantly I bought one to keep me going on O2 and resigned to the fact that I’d have to carry my old phone as well with the Orange SIM and only switch it on when needed.

Shortly after purchase I called in to an accessory shop and was told I could buy the same phone from Carphone Warehouse unlocked so my orange SIM would work and much cheaper. I managed to return my O2 phone for a refund but as the deal included a £10 top up they only gave me £30 of my £40 back. So then it was over to the Carphone Warehouse shop for the same phone, unlocked, for £25.