Roads and artifacts: 16/10/2011

Milestones, Boundary Markers, Historical Artifacts, Street Furniture, lost roads and buildings.

There are many traces of our ancestors scattered around our landscape. Mile Markers and Boundary stones are there too. The Milestone Society believes that there are approximately 9000 left in the United Kingdom. Some are cherished but others are hidden in hedgerows, some have been unwittingly destroyed by crashes, road equipment or even stolen. Roads have been straightened to make them safer. There are old gateposts still left in place, old buildings, and place names that declare an evocative past. The aim is to capture some of this information at least photographically before it disappears.

Although the Fylde Coast does not have ancient history, the Romans apparently struggled to Kirkham. There have been huge changes in the last two centuries from literally a a few fishermans' and agricultural dwellings, to a full blown tourist and light engineering industry.

More historical information can be found here about the Fylde coast.

It also seems that time has marched on and left what appears to be some very respectable buildings... which just should be used, but seem to have no worth.

Links from this Blog

Nearly-Midnight The genealogy website relating to the family. A tangled web of people all related to one another, explore!
Memorials Website dedicated to War Memorials - The majority in the North of England. Visits to churches, but also memorials in out of the way places.
Robert Clark The Father of Henry Martyn-Clark - A missionary out in the North-West Frontier of India. One of the first Europeans to set foot in Afganistan
Affetside Census A small village north of Bury, Lancashire, I can trace many of my immediate ancesters from there. On the Roman Road, Watling Street
Andrew Martyn-Clark My Father and his part in my World. Also my mother and his parents too.
Henry Martyn-Clark My Great Grandfather, his roots and his achievements. Discusses malaria but also his confrontations with Islam.

Saturday, 22 October 2011

Lighteach

Another sad sight! Maybe this grand old house will be demolished by November. Looks pretty desolate. Bricks are sound - but its too late... Going to be demolished and Granny flats put up in its place or so I presume. ....Aaaagh...

From the main coast road

Lighteach

From the Moorings

From "The Moorings" drive

This house situated by "The Moorings" rest home on the promenade route to Blackpool. Just to the north of St Annes pier. There are some very fine houses here. I rented a flat in one in the late '60's. Sand got everywhere and it was really draughty. Sealed all the windows up with parcel tape. Good days! I may update the site when it has gone.

The final picture!

Only the gateposts left!

Sunday, 16 October 2011

St Cuthberts Church sundial

Just to the South door of St Cuthbert's Church is a Sundial. The pedestal is sandstone. On top the plate and the gnomon - pointer to you and me are made of copper. There seems to have been an attenpt to remove the actual plate judging by the bends in it. It has not been cleaned for ages. This possibly preserves it. However it has been given a grade 2 by English Heritage. The plate is inscribed with "DUM SPECTAS FUGIO" means "I flee even as you observe me" bit of a giveaway pointing it towards the 18th Century.