John Burke's Reminders of History
The Cotton Tree The "Cotton Tree", Lancashire
The once busy port of Sunderland Point is where the first cotton bales were landed in England. This tree, appearing shortly afterwards, was thought to have grown from seeds from the first bales, but is in fact a kapok tree. Cotton, as we now know, grows on a bush.

I was told a while back that the tree had collapsed since this photograph was taken but that attempts were being made to grow a new sapling - anyone able to confirm this?
Sambo's Grave, Lancashire
Staying with Sunderland Point for a while, this lonely grave can be found on the headland, well away from the houses and the churchyard. The tale goes that it is the grave of an African slave, left at the port by his master whilst he went into Manchester to conduct his business. Sambo apparently died, thinking himself abandoned and the locals refused to give a heathen a Christian burial.		 Sambo's Grave
Snatchems Snatchems, Lancashire
This inn on the tidal road between Lancaster and Middleton was so popular with the Press Gangs that it became known as "Snatchems"! The Press Gangs used to forcibly capture innocent men who were forced to crew ships for years on end, regardless of family or other ties.
Big Wheel Cafe, Lancashire
When Blackpool dismantled the "Big Wheel" in 1928, the carriages were sold off as summer houses and sheds. The only one still in existence is this one, which now serves as a cafe in the countryside near Out Rawcliffe, across the River Wyre. This photograph was taken in 1982. The cafe has since been renamed "The Big Wheel Cafe" and photographs of the wheel are displayed inside.		 Sambo's Grave
Sundial Sundials
By their nature, sundials cannot be accurate all the time, for the angle of the sun changes with the seasons (and there is Bristish Summer Time). They were introduced to Britain by the Romans and the earliest forms are scratch dials - where the marks where etched into a wall. This is a later example of a scratch dial. The rod, or gnomon, which casts its shadow over the dial has to be set at the correct angle, which is determined by the latitude of the sundial.
The Giant of Hale
The village of Hale is a stone's throw from the River Mersey. The village inn is named "The Childe of Hale" after John Childe, who was born in 1578 and lived in this cottage. He grew to the astounding height of 9 feet 3 inches and the locals took him to see King James I where he fought the King's champion, beating him which caused James to give him half a crown and send him home! In later years his height was thought to have been exaggerated but when his grave was opened the bones proved the height of 9' 3".		 The Giant's Cottage
The Giant's Cottage The Giant's Cottage Roman Road, Rochdale
The road over the moors at Blackstonedge, just outside Rochdale. Wheel ruts here match the guage of some found at Pompeii. The central channel may have been for drainage or to take a primitive kind of brake - the gradient is 1 in 4.		 The Giant's Cottage
Roman Baths at Ribchester Roman Baths, Ribchester
Ribchester is featured elsewhere on these pages also, but here we have a look at the remains of a Roman bath house.

The cavalry fort of Bremetennacvm was situated here on the banks of the Ribble.

 Roman Baths at Ribchester
Dun Cow Rib Farm Dun Cow Rib Farm
It is said that in the 17th century a dreadful drought hit the Fylde coast. A farmer had a huge cow and allowed all in the neighbourhood to draw milk from her.

The local witch though milked her into a seive and the cow died. A rib was kept over the door of a farm and bad luck was experienced if it was moved.

 The old cow's rib
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