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BB2336
: Anyone for Treacle?
Thursday
21st December 2023
There’s
something strangely gratifying about walking
a section of countryside that you know well
with someone for whom it is new territory.
It’s a rare opportunity to regale
them with stories that might otherwise become
lost to time. So when Robert and I
set off through the village, I was able
to tell him the story of the Natland Treacle
Mines and then, to prove what might have
been thought of as a myth, point out houses
made from said treacle. Later, as
we approached the Helm, I pointed out where
the treacle had actually been quarried.
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Also,
I could relate the tale of the underground
cave system and the day when I went to investigate
the Helm
Gate Cave and was shocked
to be greeted by a voice from the deep inside.
It’s true! Honest! Check
the link.
After
stopping to take in the view at the summit
trig point.....
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.....
we headed diagonally down, past the small
tarn and out onto the Back of Helm Lane.
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In
the field is a Manchester Corporation Syphon
Well for the gravity-fed Thirlmere pipeline.
At Up
The Pipeline is the story
of the creation of the reservoir and the
construction of the pipeline to take gravity-fed
drinking water to Manchester.
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The
next item of particular interest was ancient
Bleaze Hall, the features of which are well
displayed in its 2017
sales brochure.
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Before
entering Bleasehall Wood, there
was another Syphon Well building
to inspect.
If
we were to return to the wood
in May, we would be treated
to a magnificent display of
bluebells amidst the trees.
Today,
there was a magnificent display
of deep mud into which
to sink in the field after exiting
the wood!
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After
passing Stang, we dropped down to the Punchbowl
at Barrows Green where, not surprisingly,
we paused for refreshment before passing
the site of another story relating to the
cave system.
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According
to the Westmorland Gazette of 20th January
1855, a cavernous recess appeared and a
passing tramp was lowered into the cave
to determine its size.
The
newspaper article relating the tale can
be found at The
Barrows Green Cave.
It
was only a mile back to our house where
I had one more surprise for Robert. Not
the cup of tea but the accompanying block
of Natland Treacle into which, fortunately,
he was wise enough not to try and sink his
teeth!
That
was on Tuesday. On Thursday, 60 mph
winds having caused us to wimp out of a
serious walk, a few of us decided to have
a beer and bite lunch at the Strickland
Arms instead. Strangely, once the
word got round that no walking was involved,
it prompted a rather larger turnout than
would be normal for our outings.
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I
suggested to the management
that there should be a new addition
to the menu. To go with
their coffee, guests should
be offered a plate of the finest
pure Natland Treacle.
Note
to self: If this ever
happens, buy dental shares.
Don,
Thursday 21st December 2023
If
you want to know more about
the Natland Treacle mines why
not take the Natland
Treacle Tour?
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