Ribble Valley is the largest district in Lancashire, in terms of area, and the majority of this is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You will be sure to find velvet green valleys, commanding fells and heather strewn moorland amongst the breath-taking scenery of picturesque countryside. Ribble Valley is also home to the Forest of Bowland which is itself, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Forest of Bowland offers plenty of opportunity for walking, cycling, fishing and horse riding and can offer some of the most remote and rugged walking in the North West, including the Tolkien Trail, which takes you in the footsteps of J.R.R Tolkien. The Pendle Witch Trail follows the route taken by the witches from their Pendleside villages passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.
At 300 square miles, the ageless landscape of rural Lancashire appears almost bypassed by time. There are two market towns, Clitheroe and Longridge, along with 44 villages, who attract visitors that return time and time again to experience the historic area.
Discover the heritage contained within, ancient castles, atmospheric ruins, stunning architecture and nostalgic storytelling. Visit Clitheroe Castle, which has over 800 years of history and provides stunning views of Clitheroe town and the stunning Ribble Valley countryside. Try Whalley Abbey where the tranquil grounds are home to ruins of the large 14th century Cistercian abbey of Stanlow. Have a wonder around Sawley Abbey, with history dating back to 1147. Take a drive to Stonyhurst College which is renowned as one of the most stunning architectural sites in the north of England. Relax and hit the shops in Clitheroe before tackling Pendle Hill where you can learn the 400 year story of witchcraft.
Ribble Valley is easily acessible by public transport with regular bus and train services. There are also excellent motorway links from the M6 and M65.
Ribble Valley is a great place to visit for food lovers as it fast becomes known for local culinary delights and first class hospitality. Clitheroe is also developing into Lancashire's Food Town. Each August, it hosts a Food Festival and don't forget to try the Ribble Valley Food Trail when you visit.
We're looking forward to welcoming you!
Saturday, 26 December 2015
Monday, 21 December 2015
Ribchester Museum
Ribchester Museum was an idea conceived by Margaret Greenall, who was originally from Warrington and a member of the famous brewing family. Her objective was clear - to stem the flow of artefacts out of the village that had occurred ever since Ribchester was recognised as a site of special historic interest. Miss Greenall opened The Ribchester Museum of Roman Antiquities in 1915.
When the original Museum opened, there was just one room, until a temporary prefabricated extension was opened in the 1960s. This annexe increased the Museum's storage area and allowed more space for displays, which was suffice, until the 1980s when its condition had seriously deteriorated. A plan to rectify this was developed and by 1990 the Museum had been completely revamped. A new two-story extension to the rear was built which connected the Museum to the adjoining cottage. The cottage was previously the incumbent curator's residence, and the decision was made to incorporate it into the Museum. These developments were undertaken under the auspices of Ribchester Museum Trust, which had been formed from the Museum committee following the National Trust's decision to relinquish the property after almost seventy years of ownership.
The Museum reopened in 2001, after under going the most ambitious redevelopment scheme in its history. Using funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European funding and grants assistance from other supportive organisations, it was extended once more, this time incorporating the adjacent building which was vacant, adding a new wing which was opposite the original Museum. The permanent exhibition was replaced by striking, informative and modern displays, which included displaying the most interesting objects from the 1989 excavation in St Wilfrid's Graveyard for the first time. Behind the scenes facilities were improved and access and education issues were addressed.
The Museum celebrated it's Centenary year in 2014, which saw the return of the Ribchester Helmet on loan from the British Museum and the unveiling of a new interactive 3D model of the fort and vicus which allows visitors to explore a reconstructed fort, bathhouse and neighbouring settlement.
When the original Museum opened, there was just one room, until a temporary prefabricated extension was opened in the 1960s. This annexe increased the Museum's storage area and allowed more space for displays, which was suffice, until the 1980s when its condition had seriously deteriorated. A plan to rectify this was developed and by 1990 the Museum had been completely revamped. A new two-story extension to the rear was built which connected the Museum to the adjoining cottage. The cottage was previously the incumbent curator's residence, and the decision was made to incorporate it into the Museum. These developments were undertaken under the auspices of Ribchester Museum Trust, which had been formed from the Museum committee following the National Trust's decision to relinquish the property after almost seventy years of ownership.
The Museum reopened in 2001, after under going the most ambitious redevelopment scheme in its history. Using funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European funding and grants assistance from other supportive organisations, it was extended once more, this time incorporating the adjacent building which was vacant, adding a new wing which was opposite the original Museum. The permanent exhibition was replaced by striking, informative and modern displays, which included displaying the most interesting objects from the 1989 excavation in St Wilfrid's Graveyard for the first time. Behind the scenes facilities were improved and access and education issues were addressed.
The Museum celebrated it's Centenary year in 2014, which saw the return of the Ribchester Helmet on loan from the British Museum and the unveiling of a new interactive 3D model of the fort and vicus which allows visitors to explore a reconstructed fort, bathhouse and neighbouring settlement.
Friday, 18 December 2015
A message from the Captains.
Anxiety UK works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy, guide booklets, phone and internet chat lines.
They campaign to raise awareness and work regularly with external agencies and healthcare professionals to improve services for those living with anxiety disorders, panic attacks and phobias.
Established in 1970 demand for its services have grown significantly and are likely to grow even more.
Monies raised during the year will amongst other things go towards a locally targeted awareness scheme. The charity has also just started a major initiative aimed at helping those in or just out of higher education.
Please take the time at some point to have a look at their website and see the good work they do.
We know we can reply on your generous support but to help along the way we have decided to re-introduce 2 initiatives and we ask all members to help police them.
Members whose ball lands in any pond or bunker are asked to make a small contribution of 10 pence (or more if you wish) to the charity. Collection tins will be placed in the golf shop and in the club bar.
Secondly, some of you will remember a time where a penalty or fine of £1 was applied when a members mobile phone rang in the bar. Phones can of course be turned to silent or vibrate only mode and subsequently picked up and answered outside the bar.
Therefore, any member whose phone rings or alerts out loud in the bar should be encouraged to pay £1 contribution to the charity (monies to be placed in the collection tin in the bar).
They campaign to raise awareness and work regularly with external agencies and healthcare professionals to improve services for those living with anxiety disorders, panic attacks and phobias.
Established in 1970 demand for its services have grown significantly and are likely to grow even more.
Monies raised during the year will amongst other things go towards a locally targeted awareness scheme. The charity has also just started a major initiative aimed at helping those in or just out of higher education.
Please take the time at some point to have a look at their website and see the good work they do.
We know we can reply on your generous support but to help along the way we have decided to re-introduce 2 initiatives and we ask all members to help police them.
Members whose ball lands in any pond or bunker are asked to make a small contribution of 10 pence (or more if you wish) to the charity. Collection tins will be placed in the golf shop and in the club bar.
Secondly, some of you will remember a time where a penalty or fine of £1 was applied when a members mobile phone rang in the bar. Phones can of course be turned to silent or vibrate only mode and subsequently picked up and answered outside the bar.
Therefore, any member whose phone rings or alerts out loud in the bar should be encouraged to pay £1 contribution to the charity (monies to be placed in the collection tin in the bar).
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Clitheroe Christmas Festival 2015
Even with the torrential downpours, the Clitheroe Christmas Festival was anything but a washout!
Organised by members of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Commerce, they decided to go ahead despite another local Christmas Fair having to cancel due to the great British weather.
Daniel Williams, president of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said ''The weather was awful, but we rearranged a few things and battled on and the day does go down as a success. Everyone who braved the weather enjoyed the event and the idea was to bring people into town shopping and if ever there was a day we needed that, it was this Saturday! I'd like to thank the whole team for all their efforts and everyone who came to support us on the day.''
The festival featured a visit from Father Christmas who was seen arriving on a train from Blackburn and Olaf, the much-loved snowman from the Disney film Frozen.
Entertainment was provided by a range of singers including Grace Davies, Arthur Geldard and Xanthe and James. Also braving the weather were Clitheroe Ukelele Band who performed close to the Rose and Crown pub on Castle Street, where refreshments in the form of a hog roast, mulled wine and mince pies were served.
The Atrium Cafe at Clitheroe Castle was home to Santa and his grotto for the day and Britain's Got Talent star Ella Shaw was in fine voice to sing Santa on his merry way at the end of the day.
The annual Walking Nativity from Clitheroe Parish Church to the crib at the castle gates was once again led by Rev. Andy Froud, who commented ''We thought long and hard about cancelling the Walking Nativity due to the dreadful weather. The alternative would have been to re-enact the story of Noah. As it happened, an amazing number of families appeared so I'm glad we kept to plan. I'd like to thank the team from the Clitheroe Chamber of Trade for all their hard work and for keeping the faith!''
Local pupils from St James's CE Primary School in Clitheroe and St Mary's RC Primary School in Langho provided carol singing throughout the day.
Organised by members of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Commerce, they decided to go ahead despite another local Christmas Fair having to cancel due to the great British weather.
Daniel Williams, president of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said ''The weather was awful, but we rearranged a few things and battled on and the day does go down as a success. Everyone who braved the weather enjoyed the event and the idea was to bring people into town shopping and if ever there was a day we needed that, it was this Saturday! I'd like to thank the whole team for all their efforts and everyone who came to support us on the day.''
The festival featured a visit from Father Christmas who was seen arriving on a train from Blackburn and Olaf, the much-loved snowman from the Disney film Frozen.
Entertainment was provided by a range of singers including Grace Davies, Arthur Geldard and Xanthe and James. Also braving the weather were Clitheroe Ukelele Band who performed close to the Rose and Crown pub on Castle Street, where refreshments in the form of a hog roast, mulled wine and mince pies were served.
The Atrium Cafe at Clitheroe Castle was home to Santa and his grotto for the day and Britain's Got Talent star Ella Shaw was in fine voice to sing Santa on his merry way at the end of the day.
The annual Walking Nativity from Clitheroe Parish Church to the crib at the castle gates was once again led by Rev. Andy Froud, who commented ''We thought long and hard about cancelling the Walking Nativity due to the dreadful weather. The alternative would have been to re-enact the story of Noah. As it happened, an amazing number of families appeared so I'm glad we kept to plan. I'd like to thank the team from the Clitheroe Chamber of Trade for all their hard work and for keeping the faith!''
Local pupils from St James's CE Primary School in Clitheroe and St Mary's RC Primary School in Langho provided carol singing throughout the day.
Monday, 14 December 2015
Forest of Bowland is Recognised Nationally with Dark Sky Discovery Site Status
Picture the scene, a frosty, winter's evening wrapped in an inky darkness with sprinkles of starlight, in awe of a wonderful view as the cosmos magically reveals itself in the wondrous dark skies of Bowland.
Thanks to a national initiative, there is no better time to explore Bowland's dark skies. It has recently been awarded the Dark Sky Discovery Site status for four sites in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Recognised by the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership, managed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh, Dark Sky Discovery Sites are places within the UK that are both dark and easily accessible, but where it is possible to observe the spectacle of the Milky Way or the constellations, such as Orion, with the naked eye.
Forest of Bowland Sustainable Tourism Officer, Hetty Byrne had been quoted as saying ''We're delighted to join the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership's growing network of sites which highlight the best spots to see the night skies in the UK. The AONB, as part of its sustainable tourism developments, put forward four sites for approval by the Dark Sky Discovery programme - Beacon Fell Country Park, Crook O'Lune Picnic Site, Gisburn Forest Hub and Slaidburn Village Car Park. They are accessible sites, with good sight-lines and relatively low light pollution, giving people the best possible conditions to just turn up and see the stars on a clear night.''
Robert Ince, a local physicist has been working closely with ANOB to assess the night skies, to see how they are affected by light pollution and identified the best and darkest places to star gaze. Local authorities and land owners were also involved in the process to gain their support for the project.
Robert will be working with the ANOB during 2016, offering a series of star gazing events and workshops through the Festival Bowland programme. Robert explains, '' I love showing people the night skies, in the Forest of Bowland you can literally see thousands of stars; It has a real wow factor! Everyone can enjoy stargazing with a pair of binoculars and some basic information on how to get started, including star maps. During 2016 we'll be running a series of events at Discovery site locations - during the spring when glittering star clusters and magnificent constellations like Orion grace the sky, and in autumn when the Milky Way is overhead and meteor showers like the Perseids can put on an amazing show.''
Thanks to a national initiative, there is no better time to explore Bowland's dark skies. It has recently been awarded the Dark Sky Discovery Site status for four sites in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Recognised by the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership, managed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh, Dark Sky Discovery Sites are places within the UK that are both dark and easily accessible, but where it is possible to observe the spectacle of the Milky Way or the constellations, such as Orion, with the naked eye.
Forest of Bowland Sustainable Tourism Officer, Hetty Byrne had been quoted as saying ''We're delighted to join the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership's growing network of sites which highlight the best spots to see the night skies in the UK. The AONB, as part of its sustainable tourism developments, put forward four sites for approval by the Dark Sky Discovery programme - Beacon Fell Country Park, Crook O'Lune Picnic Site, Gisburn Forest Hub and Slaidburn Village Car Park. They are accessible sites, with good sight-lines and relatively low light pollution, giving people the best possible conditions to just turn up and see the stars on a clear night.''
Robert Ince, a local physicist has been working closely with ANOB to assess the night skies, to see how they are affected by light pollution and identified the best and darkest places to star gaze. Local authorities and land owners were also involved in the process to gain their support for the project.
Robert will be working with the ANOB during 2016, offering a series of star gazing events and workshops through the Festival Bowland programme. Robert explains, '' I love showing people the night skies, in the Forest of Bowland you can literally see thousands of stars; It has a real wow factor! Everyone can enjoy stargazing with a pair of binoculars and some basic information on how to get started, including star maps. During 2016 we'll be running a series of events at Discovery site locations - during the spring when glittering star clusters and magnificent constellations like Orion grace the sky, and in autumn when the Milky Way is overhead and meteor showers like the Perseids can put on an amazing show.''
Friday, 11 December 2015
Favourite Christmas Tracks Revealed
A recent survey of the most popular Christmas tracks played in shops, nightclubs, pubs and hotels has shown vintage songs to be top of the list.
Music licensing body PPL, state Band Aid's Do They Know it's Christmas (2014) topped the chart, with The Pogues' Fairytale of New York in second and Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You in third.
Contemporary tracks only creep in, on the back of marketing campaigns such as John Lewis's Christmas advert in 2014 which pushed Tom Odell's version of Real Love into the chart at number nine.
The PPL most played Christmas tracks are:
1. Do They Know It's Christmas? (2014) - by Band Aid 30
2. Fairytale of New York - by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
3. All I Want For Christmas Is You - by Mariah Carey
4. Driving Home For Christmas - by Chris Rea
5. Last Christmas - by Wham!
6. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - by Wizzard
7. Merry Xmas Everybody - by Slade
8. Merry Christmas Everyone - by Shakin' Stevens
9. Real Love - by Tom Odell
10. Wonderful Christmas Time - by Paul McCartney
What's your favourite Christmas song?
Mine has to be Fairytale of New York by The Pogues - although, I'm a sucker for them all!
Music licensing body PPL, state Band Aid's Do They Know it's Christmas (2014) topped the chart, with The Pogues' Fairytale of New York in second and Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You in third.
Contemporary tracks only creep in, on the back of marketing campaigns such as John Lewis's Christmas advert in 2014 which pushed Tom Odell's version of Real Love into the chart at number nine.
The PPL most played Christmas tracks are:
1. Do They Know It's Christmas? (2014) - by Band Aid 30
2. Fairytale of New York - by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
3. All I Want For Christmas Is You - by Mariah Carey
4. Driving Home For Christmas - by Chris Rea
5. Last Christmas - by Wham!
6. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - by Wizzard
7. Merry Xmas Everybody - by Slade
8. Merry Christmas Everyone - by Shakin' Stevens
9. Real Love - by Tom Odell
10. Wonderful Christmas Time - by Paul McCartney
What's your favourite Christmas song?
Mine has to be Fairytale of New York by The Pogues - although, I'm a sucker for them all!
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
Welcome to Excellence
Several employees here at Mytton Fold Hotel & Golf Club attended a nationally recognised Welcome to Excellence training course provided by The Via Partnership. From management and reception, chefs, gardeners, waitresses and house keepers, all functions of the business were assembled to take advantage of the 'Welcome Host Gold' customer service course.
The course was promoted by the Ribble Valley Tourism Association and the Ribble Valley Borough Council with the aim of improving our visitor numbers through excellence customer service. Welcome Host Gold helps participants get up to speed with the latest techniques, legation and best practices within the customer service sector. It also helps to give an insight into customer expectations and ways in which to consistently deliver the highest levels of customer service.
Having attended the customer service training, they had the knowledge to complete the City and Guilds Level 2 Award in Customer Service Delivery in the Workplace which included a variety of tasks including written questions and workplace observations and were awarded certificates for their efforts.
The course was promoted by the Ribble Valley Tourism Association and the Ribble Valley Borough Council with the aim of improving our visitor numbers through excellence customer service. Welcome Host Gold helps participants get up to speed with the latest techniques, legation and best practices within the customer service sector. It also helps to give an insight into customer expectations and ways in which to consistently deliver the highest levels of customer service.
Having attended the customer service training, they had the knowledge to complete the City and Guilds Level 2 Award in Customer Service Delivery in the Workplace which included a variety of tasks including written questions and workplace observations and were awarded certificates for their efforts.
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