The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response Upon entering the idyllic village of Downham in the Ribble Valley untouched vistas of the surrounding countryside Further exploration reveals something quite unique - the quaint stone cottages are devoid of modern amenities such as TV aerials There's a distinct absence of road signs or markings and the village appears to be frozen in time Downham is among the handful of villages in the UK that has remained under the stewardship of the same lineage for over 500 years Frequently lauded as Lancashire's most picturesque village it draws visitors who delight in meandering through its scenic lanes beside a gently flowing brook The Assheton family has been the custodian of the village for half a millennium, including the ancestral Downham Hall and the breathtaking 3,000 acres of rolling countryside that envelop it. They have dedicated themselves to preserving the village, ensuring it stays as authentic to its origins as possible, the Mirror reports enabling them to keep modern intrusions out of sight and retain the area's old-world allure the power lines are discreetly concealed beneath the unmarked roads to maintain the village's historic charm The ancestral Downham Estate is presently overseen by the Hon Ralph Assheton being one of the village's most impressive properties The Assheton family also has a policy of renting out local cottages to individuals who wish to become part of the community thereby preventing second-home owners from leaving properties vacant for most of the year Thanks to their commitment to preservation and the village's breathtaking location overlooking Pendle Hill Downham has become a sought-after filming location for period dramas The 1961 hit movie Whistle Down the Wind is one of the most notable productions filmed here Michelle Brown, who runs the local ice cream shop and lives in the village with her family there aren't many villages like this," she said "If you took all the cars away, you'd half expect to see a horse and trap on the streets. It's just a lovely little village, and we get lots of visitors who say it's beautiful, yet you've got a bustling town like Clitheroe less than 10 minutes away." Visitors can also enjoy a drink at The Assheton Arms which was a key filming location for BBC's The Secret of Crickley Hall This 18th-century gastropub boasts stunning views from its terrace and offers six bedrooms for those wishing to stay locals still regard Downham as somewhat of a hidden treasure especially since there are no road signs indicating you've arrived in the village preserving the village's charm is important They're also dedicated to moving Downham forward while keeping its unique character intact A spokesperson for the family said: "Downham may look preserved in aspic but it is a vibrant and thriving community supporting a range of businesses." One example is the transformation of Brookside Barn into office space alongside the nearby eco-friendly Bowland Bioenergy which supplies sustainable wood fuel products for biomass heating The Estate is also committed to reducing its carbon footprint with the current challenge being to upgrade very old and listed properties without damaging their historical features The Estate is actively involved in the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership project which includes initiatives such as creating a new bridleway connecting Downham to the nearby village of Chatburn LancsLive now has its very own WhatsApp community to deliver the latest news straight to your phone Breaking news, opinion and top stories are being sent directly to our community and we want you to be part of it. Get the latest news as it breaks from across Lancashire Users who want to join must have WhatsApp downloaded to their phone All you have to do to join is click on this link select 'Join Community' and you're in No one will be able to see your personal information in the community and you will only receive messages from the LancsLive news team We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest stories from across the county If for some reason you decide you no longer want to be in our community you can leave at any time by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking 'Exit Group' Subscribe to our daily newsletter LANCS LIVE NEWS and get all the biggest stories from across Lancashire direct to your inbox Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right The Stripes put in a tremendous last thirty minute stint to deservedly take a share of the spoils The final league game of the Pitching In NPL Division One campaign was shrouded in typical Dream2Reality Stadium match day weather – rain which had a least becalmed the very lively surface slightly The first half was a game of very few chances to be honest The East Lancashire side should have taken the lead on twenty-five minutes but Ntumba Massanka somehow found the near post when he hoped to caress the ball in an empty net Leon Creech’s shot was well parried by Sol Honor and this time Massanka was faultless with the rebound Michael Clegg’s team had to improve in the second half but were delivered a hammer blow within minutes of the restart Jack McEvilly stood over an innocuous looking free-kick in his own half He sent in what was an audacious punt which had the young custodian back-pedalling Honor was already behind the goal line by the time he could change the ball’s trajectory and as the visitors appealed that the effort had already crossed the line Cameron Lancaster erased the doubt and fired into the empty net Colls could either wimp out in front of a great home following or show some minerals Liam Sheppard was have having good success down the right flank and his marker was cautioned for an ale house challenge The feist notch had raised significantly and there was to be a spate of cautions playing up the slope and just after the hour mark it was game on Scott Bakkor flicked on to Tom Bentham whose header nestled into  the far corner of the net Goal number five of the season for The Butcher Colls were now stretching the visitors who set out to defend and try to pick off on the break His shot from ten yards gave the Clitheroe glovesmn no chance it was the away team who were perhaps the happiest to hear the final whistle What had started as the archetypal end of season ‘dead rubber’ had morphed into a gradely game of football The black n white stripes left the field to the chimes of The Great Escape and the genuine applause of their faithful supporters The last game of the season is in on Saturday at Wincham Park Atherton Collieries are pleased to confirm our participation and support for the 2025 ‘March of the Day’ Grassroots Football Tour Atherton Collieries will look to sign off the 2024/25 season in style on Saturday when they travel to face Witton Albion in their final outing With a historic ninth season in the Northern Premier League secured for the Collieries on Friday evening by results elsewhere there's nothing quite as good as a delicious Whether you prefer to opt for an ice lolly from the local shop a Mr Whippy from a neighbourhood van or to find your local ice-cream shop is finding a delicious ice-cream and enjoying it in a beautiful setting but some villages simply take your breath away Having never visited before, we knew the village had been the setting for some films and TV shows in the past a sure indicator that the scenery is just as beautiful as they say nothing quite prepares you for the real thing Downham offers unrivalled views of Pendle Hill in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty What makes it unique is there's no TV aerials satellite dishes or road signage to be seen in the village there's plenty to see and do with the village pub the Assheton Arms and a tearoom at Greendale View the business on Main Street is situated over a small bridge and next to a small green area for visitors and locals It was founded in 2014 by Michelle and David Brown and is clearly popular in the area but we were surprised to see so many couples and families enjoying the views on a mid-week afternoon Many had clearly travelled specifically for the ice-cream and decided to enjoy it whilst sat on a bench or on the grass some music or to spend quality time with a loved one Although there were plenty of people around we walked straight into the parlour without having to queue and were quickly served mint choc chip and strawberry - but we had our eyes on one It's a must order when you see this flavour particularly from a small business that you know is going to do it well I was given two scoops for a very reasonable £2.90 and had paid and left within a matter of minutes the ice-cream was already melting and I needed to try it .. No big deal though because it was delicious with plenty of chunks of meringue within and the zing of lemon there too There was plenty of ice-cream for the price and this went down right to the bottom a small delight but perfect when you're enjoying the flavour We ventured across the road and sat on a bench beside a small stream that was underneath the previously mentioned bridge and although people were all around The only real noise was the noise of oncoming traffic and the odd chatter but the beauty of the surroundings did most of the talking It was the perfect setting for an ice-cream in the sun, but will also make for the perfect setting to visit this bank holiday weekend, particularly as you can also visit nearby Clitheroe for shops An exceptional ice-cream with exceptional views in an exceptional setting - there's not much more you can ask for Clitheroe Library will host a celebration event next week as part of a nationwide tour from the Royal National Institute of Blind (RNIB) to mark the 200th anniversary of braille It’s 200 years since Louis Braille developed the six-dot tactile reading system that would become known as braille is leading a year of celebrations – running into 2025 – across the UK to recognise the bicentenary of the braille code and to highlight its importance in helping blind and partially sighted people access education Clitheroe Library has been chosen as the destination in the North West of England with the celebration event taking place on Thursday 5 December Chris Wakefield will be discussing his great-great-grandfather and his transformative work on braille interpointing and practical braille maps will be talking about the impact it's had on his life since losing his sight has a rare condition that led to the deterioration of his eyesight throughout his 30s eventually forcing him to retire at 40.  The former bricklayer said braille helped him to regain some of his independence and led to him embarking on a journey that would see him teaching braille for going on three decades "When I first finished work I was virtually housebound," Chris said.  "My wife was doing everything for me "Instead of my wife ringing up and ordering my books I could do it myself That was my start regaining some of my independence." He added: "If you're reading a novel you can escape You can escape into a novel just the same as a sighted person." Chris began teaching braille in the community after two years studying at Bolton College where he would travel by train with his first guide dog.  which offers accredited free tuition in braille skills to blind or visually impaired parents and carers at different centres around East Lancashire; Accrington "Once you've learned braille you've got a skill for life," Chris said "There's so much independence you can get from reading braille you're not asking someone to do this for you Braille IT received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Chris carried the 2012 Paralympic Games torch across London’s Abbey Road and carried the Queen's baton for the Commonwealth games in Blackburn 2022 Chris is now urging people to come to the Braille 200 event at Clitheroe Library to learn more about the positive impacts braille has had on his life and many others in the blind and partially sighted community cabinet member for Community and Cultural Services "We're thrilled to have been chosen by the RNIB as the North West stop on their Braille 200 tour "Clitheroe Library and all of our libraries are proud to champion braille and I look forward to hearing more about its rich history and the positive impact it's had in Lancashire "I would like to give special thanks to Chris Tattersall for his inspirational work in promoting the importance of learning braille for those in the blind and partially sighted community "'We are delighted to welcome him and Chris Wakefield to Clitheroe so please come along to Clitheroe Library to celebrate the revolutionary impact of braille." A spokesperson for the Royal National Institute of Blind (RNIB) "Come and celebrate the 200th anniversary of the revolutionary system of braille with us and discover the huge value of tactile literacy Our December stop is at Clitheroe Library on Thursday 5 December information stands and a special talk from Chris Tattersall teaches braille and values the huge impact it has on people's lives "Everyone and anyone who is interested in braille is welcome. Refreshments provided. For further details please email us at braille200@rnib.org.uk." Cookie Settings Powered by Onclusive PR Manager™ Broadcasting for the first time since the 1960s six lost episodes of one of the BBC’s most popular radio comedies – The Clitheroe Kid Starring the diminutive northern comic James Robertson Clitheroe The Clitheroe Kid ran for 16 years between 1968 -1972 over 10 million listeners were tuning in to hear the adventures of the forever cheeky schoolboy a childhood illness meant Jimmy was four foot three tall The combination allowed him to become the irrepressible schoolboy He had a background in variety theatres in the north of England The Clitheroe Kid began as a one-off radio show on the BBC Home Service in 1956 and was the idea of producer James Casey Later series were broadcast on the Light Programme The Clitheroe Kid has a domestic family setting Living in an unnamed northern English town Jimmy’s comedy family featured: his (often in the pub) grandfather (Peter Sinclair); his sister Susan (Judith Chalmers otherwise known as Fish Face or Scraggy Neck; and his long-suffering mother (Renne Huston Alfie Hall (Danny Ross) who often plays the stooge for Jimmy’s escapades Its humour is steeped in the music hall tradition Every week’s messy situation is met by Jimmy’s daft schoolboy solution “Don't some mother's 'ave 'em” He topped the bill in pantos and summer shows In the first of this run six programmes - Jimmy the Kid – Jimmy’s obsessed with the Wild West and will do anything to go and see the Texas Phantom’s stage show Peter SinclairTheodore Craythorpe/Harry Whittle … Select a theme and theme mode and click "Load theme" to load in your theme combination Christmas Tractor Run – 150 tractor procession decorated in festive lights and Christmas Music – only 30 mins from Preston Christmas Tractor Run - 150 tractor procession decorated in festive lights and Christmas Music - only 30 mins from Preston Passing through Clitheroe Town Centre (BB7 2BZ) at 7PM with plenty of parking a great place to watch in front of the library with lots of local bars and pubs to grab a drink and keep warm before the tractors arrive BlogPreston was founded by Ed Walker Preston based 3manfactory designed & developed the website Preston based Clook Internet host the website Blog Preston is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) Blog Preston is a Community Interest Company Receive our digest of the biggest and best stories every Sunday to your email inbox I was 32 when I started doing the steeplechase I was pushed towards it by British Athletics because 2008 was the first time it was going to be in the Olympics I’d never even jumped over a barrier until I was in my 30s so I didn’t have that natural hurdling ability but I enjoyed running on the flat more and I just felt like I wanted to change In 2010 I'd run the Commonwealth 1500m and steeplechase and it was a turning point I’d fallen out of love with the steeple a little bit because I'd done this qualifying time and there was a spot available in the steeplechase and I said: “What do you think my best options are for 2012?” He went: “Let's go for 5000m/10,000m and have a real good bash at that.” Going into the winter of 2010 and preparing for the 2011 season we went to high altitude training in Kenya We had no intention of doing the indoors that season I discussed it with John and we thought: “Let's just do a couple of indoor races” I came back and I did the GB v USA match in Glasgow I won that and broke Liz McColgan’s stadium record I did the Grand Prix in Birmingham and ran a 3000m PB there of 8:39 Going into the European Indoor Championships but I'd previously come fourth twice over 1500m at those championships so it was like: ‘Will it ever actually happen for me?’ The Polish athlete Lidia Chojecka had won the champs twice previously and was probably the one to beat There were a couple of Russian athletes who were good It was about weighing up the best strategy but I just felt nobody was really going to take it on as a fast race As long as it was a good clip and I was up there at the front and ready to strike I'd never really trusted myself to sit and kick I probably would grind it out and then hang on It was probably the first time I did exactly what John told me to do in a race He said: “Make sure you’re in the front few You tag on to them.” That’s pretty much what happened but the Russian girl Olesya Syreva was coming for me so even when I crossed the line I knew it was pretty close Had I actually won something for the first time ever I won a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2002 over 1500m at the beginning of my career you're like: “Hopefully I'll have loads more days like this” You think your chance to get on top of a podium has gone I’d walk off the track and be asked: “When are you finishing?” not “What's next?” I was the oldest person to ever win a European indoor title I remember being told at the time it was rare to run that well on the track – that it was more likely you'd become a good marathon runner in your late thirties It was just so nice to go: “We can still do this.” I did change my training a little bit as I got older I probably was careful on hard sessions and recovered before I did the next one just because I was respectful that it might take me a bit longer to recover As long as you're looking after yourself and you're looking after your body I felt like so many people had wondered when I was finishing rather than thinking that I could actually get on top of a podium you can get a little bit blasé about making a team or going to a championships There are some athletes that you know are regular medal winners but the vast majority don't get that many medals READ MORE: My greatest race archives I've had these conversations with loads of athletes I know or have even worked with as a coach over the years They might wonder whether to bother running at the Commonwealth Games or indoor championships but I say: “Trust me getting a medal will be the thing you’re remembered for.” Not that many people get to stand on an Olympic podium you should look at the opportunities to represent your country and look at the opportunities that will give you the best chance to get as high up as possible in the competition European Champs outdoors and Commonwealth Games are the competitions that offer that it’s the absolute highlight of their lives » Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here Belgrave and Shaftesbury Barnet capture English cross-country relay crowns Laura Muir awarded 2015 European indoor 3000m bronze Experience a historic ‘day of knights’ at Clitheroe Castle on Saturday 17 August at a free family-friendly event from European martial arts group The event is an opportunity to meet the experts and view different styles of replica medieval armoury The displays will take place in historically accurate costume using authentic historical moves “This will be a brilliant event for families which involves a free family day out and an opportunity to experience the world of medieval chivalry first hand "It's also in the beautiful and historic setting of Clitheroe Castle and promises to be a highly entertaining and informative day out for everyone.” cabinet member for Community and Cultural services "It's fantastic to see  Lancashire celebrating part of our history and heritage in such a fun and interactive way "Clitheroe Castle is one of the jewels in the crown of Lancashire's medieval heritage and this event will allow visitors to experience chivalry first hand and see how medieval knights trained and fought We'd urge families and people of all ages to go along and see Silver School of Arms." although normal admission charges apply to the museum galleries.  Children must be accompanied at all times The fun is also set to continue throughout August.  Young museum explorers can join a summer quest and search for toy knights princesses and fairytale folk hiding around the museum galleries They can also enter the competition for the chance to win a goody bag full of souvenirs from the museum shop Daily children’s craft activities will also take place.  Children can enjoy magical kingdom crafts with fairytale ceramics (£2) and badges (£1) Museum admission does not apply to join in with crafts To find out more about the event, activities during August, and Clitheroe Castle and Museum please email clitheroecastle@lancashire.gov.uk or phone 01200 424 568 Clitheroe Castle Museum is managed by Lancashire County Council’s Museum Service on behalf of Ribble Valley Borough Council Young People and Children 18 and younger: FREE Further details are available from Clitheroe Castle Museum on 01200 424 568. https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums/clitheroe-castle-museum/ A night of scintillating football at Keys Park saw the Pitmen put eight goals past the visitors Clitheroe and move up to seventh in the league table A fairly even opening quarter of an hour did not signal what was to come The Pitmen had a couple of corners without causing the visitors many problems while High shot well over the bar for Clitheroe The game ignited in the 18th minute with a superb freekick taken by Dan Sparkes out on right sailed past Hakan Burton to give the Pitmen the lead Jack Bearne hit the side netting for the Pitmen before skipper Ellliot Johnson cleared the ball off the line preventing Clitheroe’s Louis Potts from scoring Hednesford Town doubled their advantage in the 34th minute when Bearne played in an inviting cross for Jake Jervis to tap home at the near post Three minutes later Dom McHale went on a mazy run in the Clitheroe box beating numerous defenders before slotting the ball into the net to give the Pitmen a three goal lead Sefton Gonzales shot narrowly over the crossbar for Clitheroe before Bearne just failed to get on the end of Jervis’ cross to the far post The second half was only five minutes old when Jervis broke downfield with the ball he flicked a pass to McHale who beat his defender and slammed the ball into the net The Pitmen were now applying relentless pressure on Clitheroe and only had to wait another five minutes for the next goal this time Jervis forced a good save from Burton only for defender Sam Olawumi to send a looping clearance into his own net Bearne would be the next on the score sheet producing a tremendous finish from substitute Manny Duku’s cross The frustration grew on the Clitheroe bench as manager Jimmy Bell received a red card after one too many altercations with the match officials putting one effort just wide and another just over the bar Bearne made it seven with an individual goal running in on the left and blasting the ball past Burton in the 86th minute Two minutes later Duku completed the rout with an excellent finish from the edge of the area Deep into stoppage time Johnson attempted to head the ball back to Ryan Brown however the ball sailed over the keeper and into the net to give Clitheroe a consolation goal Become a member of our online community and get tickets to upcoming matches or sports events faster Website by Zephi A Decrease font size. 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Home > News and Events > Commissioner supports Clitheroe Project Tackling Youth Anti-Social Behaviour Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has supported a project in East Lancashire aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour The MentorFit programme in Clitheroe received funding from the Commissioner’s Summer Community Fund to deliver targeted fitness and mentoring programme Delivered by local instructors and community members the programme combines group functional fitness sessions (CrossFit and Deka) with individual exercise programmes By engaging with young people in the Ribble Valley the project aims to make a long-term difference to individuals and the community whilst also having a short term impact over the summer holiday period The structured sessions include coached physical activities and opportunities for one-on-one discussions and group discussions on key subjects such as mental health The project has also linked with local police and schools to encourage referrals “Projects like this one in Clitheroe are vital for our communities They not only reduce anti-social behaviour but also provide young people with the tools they need to lead healthier we are making a long-term investment in the safety and wellbeing of our neighbourhoods and ultimately making communities safer “I’m pleased to see this initiative making a difference and I remain committed to supporting projects that make a positive impact utilising cash seized from criminals to make a difference preventing offending and protecting the public are my key priorities and these can only be delivered through strong leadership Chair of the MentorFit Programme and Gym Owner said: “We designed this programme to support our vulnerable young people providing them with a safe and structured environment during the school holidays By combining physical fitness with mentoring and life coaching we aim to build their confidence and equip them with the skills they need to succeed.” The Community Fund is currently open for applications until Monday Full application details and fund criteria can be found at lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/grant-funding Use the drop downs below to navigate to the area needed for your comment to be more easily processed If you would like to comment on the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire you can write to: The Office of the PCC for Lancashire County Hall Preston PR1 0LD Email: commissioner@lancashire-pcc.gov.uk