The Lime Industry in Southern Bowland
- 200 Kilns and Counting
- Cross-generational Kilns
- Bats and Lime Kilns in Bowland
- Once Upon a Time, 300 Million Years Ago….
- In the Limelight - Watch the slide show!
- A Window onto Bowland's Heritage
- Creative Quest in Clitheroe Quarry Watch the slide show!
- Lime Kilns Further Afield
200 Kilns and Counting!
Thanks to the hard work of a small team of people, the Forest of Bowland is set to have its lime industry heritage placed firmly on the map.
Staff from Slaidburn Archive, and keen volunteers, have spent the last 18 months searching out local lime kilns to make sure that these clues to the area's past are captured for the record before they disappear from the landscape.
From Easington to Bashall Eaves and from Chipping to Chaigley the work will have covered 13 parishes once complete and will give a valuable picture of the extent of this traditional rural industry within Bowland's Hodder Valley.
Lime is produced by burning limestone (or chalk), which is made up mainly of calcium carbonate. When calcium carbonate is heated to the right temperature it turns into calcium oxide or quicklime. If quicklime is slaked by adding water, it turns into calcium hydroxide or hydrated lime which, if left, will absorb carbon dioxide from the air and eventually turn back in to limestone. A neat life cycle and one which makes lime useful for a number of operations!
Lime was, and is, a widely used commodity. Traditionally employed in agriculture as a soil improver and as both a building mortar and "wash" for walls, it also has many other uses. From leather tanning and brick production, paper making to glass manufacture and from the pyramids in Egypt to the Great Wall of China, lime has been an essential ingredient. (Take a look at the British Lime Association's website www.britishlime.org to see the A-Z of lime uses – some of them quite surprising!)
The enclosures of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries would have led to an increase in the demand for lime as new land was brought into production, and many of the kilns in the Hodder Valley will have been used to produce lime for the fields. By all accounts this must have been a tricky business as quicklime is very caustic. Unfortunately, little first-hand evidence is available about the operation of these kilns as very few in this area have been used within living memory. This is one reason why the current work to record these structures is so important and the systematic surveying has already uncovered a number of previously unrecorded sites.
As there is such a large amount of land to cover, the work follows a regular pattern and takes place mainly during the winter months when the vegetation has died down and the sites are easier to access. Initially, old maps of the area are consulted and kiln sites located, following which, modern maps are used to confirm the sites. Once permission for access has been granted from the landowner, its time to get the walking boots out!
On site the survey team look for clues to identify the location of the kiln - tricky if all that's left is a raised outline or a scattering of loose limestone. Rough measurements are taken and a grid reference plotted. Photographs are taken and the orientation of the kiln noted, along with any special features. The survey also records whether any limestone quarries are nearby (or if the raw limestone had to be brought in) and if there are any visible trackways to the kiln. Although it’s a bit like, "how long is a piece of string?" each survey takes around 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
Once all the survey work has been carried out the data will be written up in report form and held at Slaidburn Archive. A copy will also be sent to the County Archaeologist who will use it to update the Historic Environment Record – the definitive record of Lancashire's historic monuments.
We're also hoping that Slaidburn Archive will be able to put the story of Bowland's lime industry into a new book before too long. So, if you know anything about the traditional lime industry in this area – a field kiln known only to you, a grandparent who remembers spreading lime, the annual whitewashing of a farm building perhaps – do contact us at the Forest of Bowland AONB and we'll happily pass your stories on to the Archive, who would love to speak to you!
In an interview for BBC Radio 4's Open Country programme, Helen Wallbank from Slaidburn Archive paints a great picture of how lime burning has helped to shape the Bowland landscape.
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Cross-generational Kilns
Whether you're eight or 86, Landscape Stories can confirm that lime kilns still have the "wow" factor!
Children from both Brennand's Endowed Primary in Slaidburn and Thorneyholme Primary in Dunsop Bridge got the chance to find out for themselves when they worked with the AONB and Community Archaeology Ltd during March this year. And hot on their heels was a group of local people who climbed aboard a mini-bus in May to check out lime kilns large and small. (One gentleman possibly bagging the title of "most mature explorer" at the age of 86!)
On each itinerary was a trip to the impressive Hoffmann kiln near Settle. Built in 1873 the kiln, which is between the villages of Langcliffe and Stainforth, is a huge structure with 22 firing chambers - and looks a bit like an ocean liner come to rest in the Yorkshire Dales! Take a look at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's "Out of Oblivion" website to find out all about the site. (http://www.outofoblivion.org.uk/).
During the visits we were very lucky to be joined by David Johnson who is a real "lime" expert and has done much of the research about this, and other, sites – including interviewing some of the men who used to work at Langcliffe. And, looking at some of the old photographs which David had brought along, it was quite an eye-opener to see the difference between today's Personal Protective Equipment, and what passed for health and safety clothing then!
Of course, the Forest of Bowland also featured in our wanderings. Closer to home, both schools grabbed wellies and waterproofs and headed out on a local heritage walk led by Kev from Community Archaeology Ltd. Thorneyholme pupils followed the River Dunsop upstream looking at "humps and bumps" in the landscape, inspecting traditional boundaries and hearing about glaciers and rivers.
Further up the valley, staff and pupils from Brennand's headed for the hills to check out local rocks, search for old cross bases and take a look at an old field kiln. And after a hot and muddy uphill slog, the children were surprised, and very pleased, to find that the "lime kiln fairy" had got there before them and left behind chocolate buns and juice – perfect! (and all thanks to the generosity of the local landowner).
And despite the absence of chocolate buns in May, our coach party had a great time finding out all about the clamp kiln and field kiln on one of the farms above Slaidburn. Which just goes to show, no matter how old you are, everyone enjoys a good story!
Bats and Lime Kilns in Bowland
It's true that nature will find all sorts of places to call home – disused lime kilns included!
So discovered a group of visitors recently when they joined a Landscape Stories walk led by bat expert David Fisher. David has spent a lot of time researching bats and their habits and has discovered that, along with roof spaces, mine workings and gaps in the stonework of bridges, these elusive creatures also like to hang around in old lime kilns – many of which look undeniably like mini caves!
The UK is home to 17 different bat species, from the smallest Pipistrelle , which weighs less then a £1 coin and is the commonest type of bat in this country, to the largest Greater Mouse-eared bat (which is still smaller than the palm of your hand).
Along with protection from predators, roosting and feeding sites are the most important things needed by bats, which can live for up to 30 years. And because suitable sites have decreased over the years, so unfortunately, have bat numbers, which is why they are now protected by law and cannot be disturbed.
You'll find bats in all kinds of areas as long as they have a source of water nearby, somewhere to catch the insects on which they feed and enough woods, hedgerows and other linear features by which to navigate.
(David explained that bats aren't actually blind at all, it's just that echolocation - the technique by which bats bounce sound off different objects in order to find their way around - is more efficient than eyesight during the hours of darkness.)
When it comes to feeding, UK bats are very fond of insects! Daubenton's bats love to roost near water where they swoop low over the surface of ponds and rivers, catching insects with their feet or tails. The tiny Pipistrelle can gobble up as many as 3000 insects during one night – eating them mid-flight generally. (One of the things that David had brought along to show us was a bag full of insect wings – left overs from a bat feast!)
During late spring David explained, female bats will be pregnant and looking for a suitable maternity roost (often in a nice, warm house roof) and they will separate from male bats who will find other roosting sites.
This means that at this time of year, bats found in lime kilns and similar structures are likely to be male. Interestingly, bats mate during autumn and into winter but the females then store the sperm, not actually becoming pregnant until the weather warms up in spring. Female bats generally give birth to a single baby, which they then stay with until the youngster is able to fly and feed for itself.
During the winter bats need cooler, constant temperatures for hibernation so will often choose caves and similar places for their long sleep. And for this reason, David pointed out, it's important to remember to leave some roosting spaces for these fascinating mammals if you ever find yourself about to renovate an old lime kiln!
Many thanks to the landowners who allowed us to visit the kilns on their land during our walk - we had a great afternoon.
Thanks to David, BBC Radio 4's Open Country presenter, Helen Mark, got the chance to see bats in action during a spring-time visit to the Forest of Bowland.
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Once Upon a Time, 300 Million Years Ago….
Imagine yourself paddling in a warm, tropical sea under blue skies just south of the equator……
Perhaps a little difficult whilst standing in the middle of an industrial estate on the outskirts of Clitheroe but, had you been on Lincoln Way around 300 million years ago, you would definitely have been getting your feet wet! So discovered Class 3 children from Chatburn Primary School when they visited Salthill quarry after the spring half-term break.
Thanks to Phil Dykes, Project Officer with the local Wildlife Trust (http://www.lancswt.org.uk/index.php/places-to-see/salthill-quary.php)
who manage the site, the children got to find out all about the oldest quarry in Clitheroe, where the rocks are twice as old as the dinosaurs!
The sedimentary limestone, which is found in the quarry, was laid down under warm seas, as generations of sea creatures died and fell to the sea bed where, over time, they became compressed into solid rock. Phil explained that the limestone rock here began to be quarried some 300 years ago and that the site is now classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its geology.
The Chatburn pupils had been studying rocks and soils back in school and had already had a great visit from Clitheroe Castle Museum's Assistant Keeper, Rachel Jackson - so they were able to impress Phil with all their "rocky" knowledge.
The children had great fun looking for the fossils which are visible, on close inspection, in much of the rock. These fossils are mainly crinoids, or sea lilies – animals which still exist today. Phil let us each collect a few loose fossils to take back with us but he explained that we had to be careful not to take too many so as not to destroy the site for other visitors.
During the visit we saw one of the best meadows in Lancashire (according to Phil!) which would be full of wildflowers come July and definitely worth a visit then. The children also learnt that Salthill got its name from the pack horses which transported lime away to other areas and returned carrying salt!
Finally, the children got the chance to see the beautiful stone fossil carvings which have been incorporated into a seat on the site. A good place to sit and contemplate 300 million years of history!
Back in the classroom the children put their creative hats on to compose some great poems about rocks and fossils – a few of which we've been lucky enough to add below.
We've also added quotes from some of the children's thank you letters to Rachel and Phil so you can also see what a lot they learnt and how much they enjoyed the project.
Last but not least a couple of jokes to make you smile - courtesy of Chatburn Primary School!
What's a geologist's favourite music?
Rock!
and…
Which stone is the most sour?
Limestone!
In the Limelight
From single clamp kilns providing lime for local fields to industrial Hoffman kilns with 22 firing chambers – local people have been discovering the extent of the lime industry in and around Bowland with a little help from some of the experts.
Our thanks to Slaidburn Archive, Community Archaeology Ltd, Oxford Archaeology North, Clitheroe Castle Museum, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Rosemary Johnson, David Johnson and David Fisher for their knowledge and expertise and to staff and pupils at Thorneyholme, Brennand's and Chatburn Primary Schools for all their enthusiasm.
Slide show:
There'll be plenty more to find out this coming year, but why not have a look at these photographs and catch up with what's been going on so far? (Click Esc to stop the slideshow!)
A Window onto Bowland's Heritage
There is obviously a wealth of hidden talent in Bowland and the surrounding areas and this was wonderfully demonstrated at our Creative Glass workshop in September.
Held at the village hall in Slaidburn the aim of the workshop was to offer people to chance to find out a little more about the legacy of lime production in the upper Hodder valley through looking at one of the many uses of limestone - in this case, its role as a component in glass making.
Glass artist, Anne Somers, led two relaxing yet highly creative workshops where 13 visitors were guided through the craft of fused glass work, each making their own, unique window hanging, ornament or pendant.
After a few simple, but important, safety points (use goggles at all times if cutting or grinding glass as shards can fly out and always use a dustpan and brush - rather than your hand - to clear surfaces) our visitors got down to designing their masterpieces. Not as easy as it sounds, having tried it!!
Once everyone had their designs the next step involved cutting the glass into the right shapes and sizes then grinding off any sharp edges.
After a quick wash and dry (to remove any greasy finger marks made by the oil in the glass cutters) the pieces where then glued carefully onto the backing glass ready for Anne to take back to her studio and fire them in the kiln. The finished pieces where then delivered to their rightful owners, ready to grace windows, mantelpieces and in some cases, the owners themselves!
Some lovely pieces were made on the day with everything from owls, landscapes, hearts and abstract patterns featuring. Why not take a look at our step by step guide to see what was involved?
Creative Quest in Clitheroe Quarry
Where can you use grass for canvas and autumn leaves instead of oil paints?
Well, if you'd come along to the Sticks and Stones workshop at Salthill quarry in October you'd have been able to do just that!
Thanks to Lancaster-based Land Artist Richard Shilling and partner Julia, a group of visitors enjoyed a sunny afternoon exploring the oldest limestone quarry in Clitheroe – and then creating mini works of art with this fascinating landscape as a backdrop.
When we go out for a walk we can sometimes miss the detail in our surroundings whilst we're busy taking in the view, so it was lovely to spend a few hours in one place, getting to know what was there and then using Mother Nature's materials to make our very own pictures and sculptures.
The area is a SSSI and so we made sure that we didn't damage anything in our quest to create – using things which had fallen onto the floor and only taking leaves and twigs from plants which had enough to spare.
Slide show:
And people's imaginations worked overtime! Take a look at photographer, Gaye Woollard's pictures below to see what's possible with nature's palette and then check out the slide show to see the team in action.
Lime Kilns Further Afield
As you meander around the Hodder Valley in the Forest of Bowland you're likely to stumble across lime kilns large and small – a reminder of a time when this peaceful area would have rung to the sound of rocks being quarried, fires being stoked, lime being carted and the shouts and calls of men and women involved in what must have been a heavy, dirty and hazardous occupation.
Take a trip a little further north and west, to Arnside and Silverdale, and here too you'll find evidence of a rural industry which has left its mark on the landscape.
Our sister AONB has carried out an in-depth project linked to their own lime industry and has gathered together lots of information which is definitely worth taking a look at. Visit www.arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk and click on the Culture & Heritage section in the Understand tab.
In particular, the leaflet "The Limeburner and the Kiln" paints a vivid picture of what it must have been like for those who made lime for a living – not to mention the horses which pulled the carts!
Why not take a look and let your imagination take over….?
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