THE FLATLEY DRYER

[Stanley]

I used to go through the Trough of Bolland regularly as an alternative way from Barlick to Lancaster. A large reservoir was built at Slaidburn in the late 19th century and they opened a quarry and installed railway lines and machinery. When they finished, for some reason they left the railway lines and this steam crane in place. Perhaps they were thinking of an alternative use for the quarry. In 1980 they were still there. 40 years on I wonder if the crane still stands there waiting for some TLC?

[PanBiker]

I used to do the same when I was doing various courses and my CISCO stuff at Lancaster. Past my mates house at Cow Ark whose front room is the official dead centre of England.

[Stanley]

During my time at Pendle Heritage we got some interesting jobs. One was when I acted as chauffeur to John Miller and we went to Slaidburn Village to do a reconnoitre before taking on the job of writing a description of the village for the estate who owned it. The whole village was Flatley Dryer country as nothing had been altered for many years. The main house in the village still had all its furniture and a nursery full of Edwardian toys. I don't have any pictures as we were under a strict privacy clause. There was still a fully functioning water mill but converted to a saw mill for the estate. I don't know what happened to it all.

[noyna]

After Mr King-Wilkinson's death Slaidburn became part of Lord Clitheroe's estate. I doubt if much has changed!

[Stanley]

That wouldn't surprise me at all. It felt timeless when I was there.....

[PanBiker]

Nothing has changed much in Slaidburn apart from the plethora of parked cars around the village. The village was on the route of many of our practice cycle runs when we were training for the Coast to Coast ride that we did.

[Stanley]

I used to deliver cattle regularly to a farm in Crawfordjohn in South Lanarkshire. They had a saying there; 'Into Crawfordjohn, out of the world.' Slaidburn could qualify as a hideaway as well!

[Stanley]

I love these old advertisements from the 1920s. I can remember all these products particularly the 'Pul-Front' corsets which were very heavily advertised. I always thought it was funny when we were aware of so many prudish attitudes that every magazine you opened had pictures of ladies wearing very little! You wouldn't see anything as daring as this anywhere else in mainstream media. It was far to 'rude'.

[Stanley]

I am watching the changes on our high streets. Closed banks,betting shops and pubs and now many of the chain shops as they fold one by one. The small family businesses are under the same pressure and it behoves us to do what we can to support them before they become Flatley Dryer country as well.

[Stanley]

It's hard to believe that we are only 25 days away from Xmas. The biggest candidate for Flatley Dryer status this year could be Xmas itself. Or rather, not the religious festival of Xmas but the associated commercial activities. I'm fairly certain that there will be no Santa's Grottos this year and full blown family Xmas dinners will have to be restricted not only because of regulations about permitted numbers but also sober reflection on the chances of passing infections on to elderly relatives. From what I can remember, this is worse than anything we had to cope with during WW2 apart from the availability of food and drink.

[plaques]

I wouldn't write Christmas of just yet. From what I've seen this lockdown has resulted in a surge in Christmas home decorations. People are getting so fed up with looking at four grey walls, not quite Green Green Grass of Home but getting near, that they are determined to add a bit of colour. Even myself the most dour of the Humbug Humbug brigade would be prepared to tolerate it for once.

[Big Kev]

Even myself the most dour of the Humbug Humbug brigade would be prepared to tolerate it for once.

I'm still 'bah humbug'

I have a contingency in place for Christmas Day, if the Barlic Raj are closed to diners they're offering it as a takeaway.

[Stanley]

I did note yesterday that in premises that are open, Santa's Grotto is to be allowed as long as face coverings are worn. But surely social distancing will take the edge off it.
Xmas lights are starting to go up in windows and I've seen one decorated tree already.

[Stanley]

I note that the TV companies are attempting to whip up the Xmas Spirit with their programming and the advertisers have hit the festive button. I don't know if it is my age or an effect of the times but I am even less engaged than usual. I apologise for mentioning it if you were successfully shielding yourselves by ignoring the problems.
So many matters are up in the air, it's difficult to see how anyone can feel secure.
Not really a festive season, for the moment, that is Flatley Dryer country.

[Stanley]

Every now and then I am surprised to find something I thought was Flatley Dryer country but has survived.. It happened this week when I saw a news item about Bird Flu in Turkeys in North Yorkshire. LINK.
A news item like this used to be a stock item every year in the run up to Xmas but of late has gone out of fashion. It looks as though it may be back and not a thing of the past!

[Tizer]

Viruses are back in fashion!

[Stanley]

That may be the reason why the media are suddenly reporting on Bird Flu Peter. I see that regulations are coming from 14 December to make Wendy keep her hens under cover.... (LINK)

[Wendyf]

Thanks, that's the first I have heard about it!

[Stanley]

[Stanley]

One good thing about Brexit, it has consigned 40 years of complaining about 'unelected bureaucrats' to Flatly Dryer country. What we have discovered in the process is that the unelected people to worry about are over here in 10 Downing Street.

[Tizer]

Derek Hatton (remember Militant) up to mischief in Liverpool - that must be Flatley dryer country! (And trust Liverpool to have a swindling mayor. )

[Tripps]

A touch judgmental ? Perhaps insert 'alleged', but like you I have worked there.

[Tizer]

Yes, perhaps it's unfair to tar all Liverpudlians with the same brush. I knew many who were law abiding!

[Tripps]

I'd steer clear of 'tar brushes' too for a while.

[Whyperion]

Derek Hatton (remember Militant) up to mischief in Liverpool - that must be Flatley dryer country! (And trust Liverpool to have a swindling mayor. )

Maybe trust Liverpool to find such suspicions, I rarely trust elected leaders not to serve their own interests.