Volunteers from Newton (and one from Preston!) gave up a few hours on Sunday to improve Bright's wood in Newton. There were some massively overgrown privets that were cut down and some small trees and branches that were removed in order to bring in more light. Hazels were planted which in future years can be regularly cut/coppiced for firewood and garden sticks. There's some chainsaw work and chipping still to do but the 10 people who were there (including a couple of children) can be proud of what they did. As we worked I saw someone with a camera and tripod packing the gear back into his car. I asked who he was (if you don't ask you don't find out) and it was Andy Latham, Landscape Photographer. He's recently published a book on the Ribble and was persuaded to take a few of the task. Check the links to see pictures of the historic Hoffman limekiln in Yorkshire  and the strange humps in Moor Piece. Andy does work with the Wildlife Trust and promises a book on Bowland all being well.

Foz from Preston has walked all over Bowland and was asking me about Langden Castle. Does anyone know the origin of the name and it's purpose? Some references on the internet suggest that it was a stopover for prisoners on their way to trial in Lancaster.

It was good to see the Parkers Arms doing a roaring trade to people dressed mainly in Lycra. (Cyclists in case you were wondering). The beer was flying from the pump as AJ singlehandedly explained that his other helper behind the bar was stranded in Germany courtesy of Eyjafjallajoekull.

Bird sources* tell me that Bowland is being overun by raptors this last week. A White tailed Eagle was seen over Burn moor on Saturday morning; later at Leighton Moss and later still at Haweswater. On Monday lunchtime, an immature Golden Eagle was seen over Langden valley. Unconfirmed rumours are that UU are economising on inspection flights over the Haweswater aqueduct, normally conducted by helicopter. I suppose these rumours will remain unconfirmed but I thought I'd pass them on. Other raptors that have flown past are a Red Kite and an Osprey. Gavin Thomas (pictured right) assures me that these sightings are reliable.

*Other bird sauces according to Gavin Thomas of the RSPB are Duck a l'orange, Pheasant and red wine and Turkey with cranberries.

There is a really excellent Bowland wildlife blog here www.bowlandwildlife.org.uk and there's a link on that site to the Lancashire wide wildlife blog.

It was only at the beginning of this week that I blogged about the Lord of Bowland.  Now, here I find myself again, reaching for my keyboard at the news that our mysterious lord has pulled yet another rabbit (an Easter bunny?) out of his feudal hat. This time it’s ancient rights being exercised. With astonishing flair, the Lord of Bowland has appointed not just a Bowbearer of the Forest of Bowland (the first since 1871) but also a Chief Steward (the first since 1922). 

I’m told that the lucky appointees are Robert Parker of Browsholme Hall – many of whose forebears were Bowbearers – and Charles Bowman, landlord of the Inn at Whitewell, whose gastro pub was once the ancient courthouse over which Lords of Bowland presided for more than six hundred years. Of course, you might argue what’s the point of having ancient rights if you don’t exercise them … 

That said, I doubt either Mr Parker or Mr Bowman will now find themselves groaning under the weight of the responsibilities newly entrusted to them. But then I don’t imagine, in any case, these appointments are really about guarding his Lordship’s vert and venison or stewarding Forest courts that haven’t been summoned for nigh on two hundred years. It seems to me that our Lord of Bowland, camera-shy though he may be, is in the business of creating colour.  And today, as a result of his actions, Bowland is a brighter, more cheerful, more colourful place.  

His Lordship, God bless him, has given us all an Easter present - he’s made us smile. Long may it continue!

More information on the Lordship of Bowland is posted on Discovering.

Rumours have reached me that in the next few weeks a history will be published telling the untold story of the Lordship of Bowland.  I understand our elusive new Lord of Bowland – whose identity has been a source of much speculation in recent months - may well have had a hand in this venture which is being issued by that august body of scholars, the Cambridge University Heraldic & Genealogical Society.  

Among its vice-presidents, the Society boasts two of the Queen’s heralds, York and Somerset.  Its patron is no less a personage than His Grace The Duke of Norfolk, hereditary Earl Marshal of England.  The Earl Marshal will be familiar to aficionados of Royal protocol as the berobed, wand-wielding cove who walks backwards in front of the Sovereign at State ceremonials.  Such bizarre duties notwithstanding, the Earl Marshal is a force in the land:  responsible for the organisation of Coronations and State funerals and premier duke of England. 

It is pleasing to learn that our new Lord moves in such exalted circles.  Bowland can bask in the reflected glory and at last, locals have a means of identifying their feudal master.  

Just look out for a gentleman richly clad, more Alice in Wonderland than Bolton-by-Bowland, perambulating in a backward direction and it could be your lucky day ...

A copy of the history of the Lordship of Bowland will be posted on our website as soon as it becomes available.   A limited number of printed copies may be available on a first come, first served basis.