This short section of the track bed from the Preston & Walton Summit Tramway was moved from Bamber Bridge and relayed in Worden Park by the Chorley historic society.
Lucas Green Bofors Installation
There were originally over 1,200 such anti-aircraft gun sites built during World War 2, with only about eighty now surviving. This site was rediscovered in 2013 during investigations carried out for Redrow Homes prior to starting house building on the site.
It comprises a light anti-aircraft gun emplacement, a static Bofors 40mm gun, with an attached pillbox. It was built to defend the nearby Royal Ordnance Factory on Euxton Lane.
The site has been preserved and can be accessed via the modern housing estate.
Anti-Aircraft Installations
I’ve been told there are a few anti-aircraft installations around Hall Lane, Wheelton Lane, and Centurian Way. They were built during World War 2 to protect the various factories in the area. This one is in the fields at the bottom of Hall Lane.
Ministry of Supply Tank Factory Test Track
Little evidence remains of the Ministry of Supply tank factory in Leyland. However, following a tipoff and while reviewing information about Lower Farington Hall we discovered that part of the test track surface can still be seen today.
Located at the north end of Hall Lane, most of the original track has been lost to the development of industrial units, but the road structure still follows the route of the original track. At the north west end, the original track surface can be seen behind large gates.
The location of the test track can be seen clearly in the two images below.
Barnoldswick, St Mary le Ghyll
The parish church of Saint Mary le Ghyll. 6 bells; 630 kg in Ab.
The Bells
The church of St Mary le Ghyll is situated close to the Lancashire & Yorkshire border. It has a pleasant sounding ring of six bells in the key of A flat. The second, third and fourth were cast in 1723 by Abraham II Rudhall with the treble cast in 1870 by John Taylor & Co. and the fifth and cast is 2007 and the sixth cast in 2009 by Taylors, Eayre & Smith. There are almost no neighbours which make the tower popular with peal bands.
Getting There
Garstang, St Helen, Churchtown
The Bells
The peal was cast in 1828 by Thomas II Mears and is turned to the key of G.
| Bell | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-1-0 | E |
| 2 | 6-1-22 | D |
| 3 | 6-3-3 | C |
| 4 | 7-1-5 | B |
| 5 | 9-2-17 | A |
| 6 | 12-1-17 | G |
Getting There
Ramsbottom, St Paul
St Paul’s Church in Ramsbottom. 8 bells.
Getting There
Withdrawn Peals
I have rung in the following “peals” which have been withdrawn.
Performance 1
Non Association
Minster-in-Sheppey, Kent
Phildene Lodge
Friday, 29 July 1977 in 1h 28 (15 in C)
5,040 Plain Bob Minimus
1–2 Raymond A Hutchings
3–4 Phillip R J Barnes (C)
This peal has been flagged as not complying with the Central Council Decisions. Handbell peals of Minimus were not recognised by the Central Council.
Performance 2
Carlisle Diocesan Guild
Shap, Cumbria
St Michael and All Angels
Thursday, 1 August 2019 in 2h 38 (7–2–19 in G)
5,040 Surprise Minor
One extent each of Queen Mary Surprise, King Edward Surprise, Norwich Surprise, Dylan Thomas Surprise, Kelvinbridge Surprise, Cambridge Surprise, and Primrose Surprise.
- Clarissa J E Carol
- Jane Holland
- Andrew J Holland
- Raymond A Hutchings
- Kevin M Price (C)
- Andrew W Gordon
Rung in memory of The Revd. Stanley E Ablewhite, Vicar of Brough and President of the Cumbrian Association during the 1980’s, who died recently.
Peal withdrawn: Dylan Thomas Surprise, Kelvinbridge Surprise are false in a 720.
Performance 3
Lancashire Association
Rainhill, Merseyside
St Bartholomew
Friday, 30 August 2019 in 2h 38 (2–2–6 in F)
5,040 Surprise Minor
One extent each of Norwich Surprise, Bourne Surprise, Caithness Surprise, Dylan Thomas Surprise, Kelvinbridge Surprise, Cambridge Surprise, Primrose Surprise.
- Nicola J Galton
- Andrew W Gordon
- Andrew J Holland
- L Martin Daniels
- Raymond A Hutchings
- Kevin M Price (C)
100th peal of Seven Surprise Minor – 2
Remembering Kenneth Daniels, Martin’s Father, who died on 30th August 2012).
Peal withdrawn: Dylan Thomas Surprise, Kelvinbridge Surprise are false in a 720.
Performance 4
Carlisle Diocesan Guild
Thursby, Cumbria
St Andrew
Thursday, 9 January 2020 in 2h 39 (6–2–22 in A)
5,040 Surprise Minor
One extent each Bourne, Hull, Dylan Thomas, Kelvinbridge, Cambridge, Primrose and Norwich.
- Ruth M Gilbert
- Jane Holland
- Andrew J Holland
- Peter H Gardner
- Kevin M Price (C)
- Raymond A Hutchings
Remembering Nigel Gilbert, whose 50th Birthday would have been today.
Peal withdrawn: Dylan Thomas Surprise, Kelvinbridge Surprise are false in a 720.
Thursby, St Andrew
Thursby, St Andrew. 6 bells.
Walkden, St Paul
S Paul, Walkden. 8 bells. 18-2-1 in E.