Pendle Sculpture Trail in an Atmospheric Woodland Setting
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Walk distance: It is approximately 1 mile to get to the trail from Barley Car Park including one uphill stretch and one steep path. Once in Aitken Wood, which is situated on a slope, you could easily walk another mile walking around. Please wear stout footwear as there can be some muddy stretches after wet weather. Allow around 2 to 3 hours for your visit. See back cover for details on how to book a tramper vehicle for easier access to the wood for people with walking difficulties. Visit the Pendle Sculpture Trail in an atmospheric woodland setting. Art, history and nature come together against the stunning backdrop of Pendle Hill. Four artists have created a unique and intriguing range of sculptures. Their work is inspired by the history of the Pendle Witches of 1612 and the natural world in this wild and beautiful corner of Lancashire. A Witches Plaque Explore the peaceful setting of Aitken Wood to find ceramic plaques by Sarah McDade. She’s designed each one individually to symbolise the ten people from Pendle who were accused of witchcraft over 400 years ago. You’ll also find an inspiring range of sculptures, large and small, which are created from wood, steel and stone, including Philippe Handford’s amazing The Artists (as pictured here left to right) are Philippe Handford (Lead curving tree sculptures. Artist), Steve Blaylock, Martyn Bednarczuk, and Sarah McDade Philippe’s sculptures include: after dark. Reconnected 1, Reconnected had a religious vision on top There’s even a beautifully 2, The Gateway, Life Circle of nearby Pendle Hill which carved life-size figure of Philippe Handford, the lead kind of permanent trail. It’s and Spirits of the Wood (steel led him to found the Quaker a witchfinder byMartyn artist, who lives in Pendle, great to be involved in this figures which are alive inside movement. Bednarczuk. This sculpture says: “I’ve been up Pendle fantastic project. We’ve all with holly bushes!). There is has overtones of the local Hill many times with the been inspired by the beauty also The Quaker Tree which Look high in the trees to spot magistrate, Roger Nowell, view of creating natural of the area. There are some represents the branching out Steve Blaylock’s metal bats, who first interrogated the sculptures. As a result of intriguing shapes in Aitken of the Quakers from humble owl and a giant spiders’ web Pendle villagers who later this I was approached by the Wood and we’ve all been beginnings in Pendle. In representing the natural world became famous as the Pendle Council to see if I would be touched by a sense of 1652 George Fox of the wood at twilight and Witches. interested in creating some Pendle’s history. Barley Blacko Bar Road Pasture Lane Barley Road R idge Lane J14 Cross Lane Jinn y Lane Barrowford M65 Newchurch Colne heatley Lane Road th Road W A6068 J13 eights Lane Noggar H e ford Road enc Barrow Nelson F M65 J12 How to get to Barley - take junction 13 off the M65 and follow the signs for Fence/ Barden Mill. About a mile and half up the road (A6068) look for a sign for Barley Picnic site, and turn right at the sign. Continue to follow the brown & white signs for Barley Car park. This will take you up into the village of Newchurch (home of “Witches Galore” emporium) and down again Other things to see and do into the village of Barley. There are many other things to see and do in Pendle. The area has beautiful countryside and is popular with From the A59 Preston - Skipton route: walkers and cyclists. There are also a number of great At Gisburn take the road signed for Nelson, and after events throughout the year including the award-winning about two to three miles look for a pub on the left Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne at the called the Moorcock Inn, after the pub look for signs August Bank Holiday and the Pendle Walking Festival in for Barley Picnic site on the sharp left hand bend. Turn September. right. This route will take you through the village of To find out more about the Pendle Witches we have Roughlee. a Pendle Witches Trail which can be done by bike, If you’ve enjoyed this sculpture trail you might minibus or car and there is also a walking trail, called Walking With Witches. like to visit these others: Visit the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford for more information on the fascinating history of the East Lancashire Panopticons Pendle Witches. www.midpenninearts.org.uk/panopticons For more information on Pendle, including accommodation, and how to get here, please visit our Burnley - www.tinyurl.com/towneleysculptures website www.visitpendle.com Ribble Valley - www.tinyurl.com/ribblevalleysculptures Tramper Route Irwell Valley - www.irwellsculpturetrail.co.uk For those with disabilities or for the less mobile the Lancashire - A witches trail is being developed with upper part of the trail is accessible with a tramper - arts installations along the route. For information go type vehicle. Vehicles can be booked by calling The to - www.lancashirewitches400.org Bowland Experience on 01200 446553 or 07853 996545. 48 hours notice required. Not suitable for There are many other arts attractions as well normal electric wheelchairs. and these can be found at: www.visitlancashire.com Tourist Information Thanks to: The sculpture trail is part financed by the European Discover Pendle, Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural Boundary Mill, Vivary Way, Colne, BB8 9NW areas, with Defra as the Managing Authority and via the Pennine Tel: 01282 856186. Lancashire Local Action Group. The land on which the trail is located is owned by United Utilities who have worked in partnership Pendle Heritage Centre, with Pendle Council on the trail. Parkhill, Barrowford, Thanks also to Pendle Leisure Trust and Mid-Pennine Arts for their BB9 6JQ Tel: 01282 677150. assistance. Photography by: Sarah Lee and Lee Johnson. Graphic design by Pendle Council iJb3164 - updated 10/13 Alice Nutter was not poor like the other Pendle Witches and was regarded as a gentlewoman. This is reflected in the place she lived which was called Crowtrees which is part of the village of Roughlee. Can you spot in a representation of the place she lived on her plaque? (You can also see a sculpture of Alice Nutter in the nearby village of Roughlee.) Elizabeth Device was the daughter of Demdike and was known locally as Squinting Lizzie. She had a spirit dog, said to have been a witch’s familiar. Can you see any paw prints anywhere? Having domestic animals as pets is Witches in the woods of course not unusual, but was used by Roger Nowell JP as a clear sign that those accused The Pendle Witches lived 400 years ago but were indeed witches. their history resonates down through the centuries and still holds lessons for us all James Device was grandson of Demdike. today. During an era of religious persecution His grandmother told him to bring communion J and superstition they were the convenient bread from the church perhaps to use in L scapegoats of their day. remedies (or to some people spells!). Instead It all started on the 18th of March 1612 he ate the bread and on his return from church when Alizon Device cursed a pedlar and K I he describes “a thing in the shape of a hare” believed that she had lamed him. Roger which threatened to pull him to pieces. 9 Nowell, the local Justice of the Peace began Can you spot a hare on one of these plaques? E D an investigation, and soon it ratcheted up to M N become Britain’s biggest witchcraft trial. Nine was the daughter of year old Jennet Device, grandchild of Demdike Anne Redferne H 3 Chattox. She was accused of making a clay doll and sister of Alizon, took centre stage in court, or ‘picture’ as they were called, in order to kill 5 C giving evidence against neighbours and her a local man, Robert Nutter. There is evidence own family. B from history and from other cultures of the use 4 F On the 20th August 1612 nine of the of clay dolls with pins stuck in them to do harm G accused from Pendle were hanged in Lancaster. to people. Can you spot a clay doll on your trip Jennet and Alizon’s grandmother, Demdike O through the wood? A 2 died before-hand in the terrible conditions of 10 Lancaster Castle’s Well Tower. 1 Katherine Hewitt. James Device 7 Which witch is which?! implicated Katherine as having killed Anne Foulds, a child from Colne, by witchcraft. Her You could win a weekend break nickname was Mouldheels and she was more in Pendle… well-to-do than most of the other so called 6 witches. Her husband was a clothier, which To follow this unique witches in the wood trail meant he was a weaver or supplied yarn. we have placed the rough location of each Can you see a textile weave pattern anywhere? plaque on a map of the wood. Here are some clues on the identity of each witch. All you 8 was one of the accused who Sculptures need to do is match the so called witch to the John Bulcock was said to have roasted the stolen mutton at correct plaque, filling in the coupon. A. Quaker Tree the Malkin Tower gathering on Good Friday, where the Pendle Witches were said to have B.