Blue skies and sunshine were the order of the day as my family and I joined the thousands of others heading towards Blackpool’s South Promenade for the annual air show. After finding a space to sit on the new Spanish steps just past Central Pier, we settled down to watch what was to be an amazing range of flying displays.
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Go Ape! at Rivington, Nr Chorley has been crowned Lancashire’s Best Tourism Experience of the Year and what an experience it is. Where else can you have such an exhilarating up in the trees adventure? With high-wire tree crossings, zip wires and stomach-hollowing Tarzan drops from a 40 feet platform, all surrounded by the picturesque scenery of reservoirs and woodlands in this beautiful part of Lancashire.
Having opened in 2009 to add to the many courses throughout the UK, Rivington appeals to a wide range of customers all looking for something different from a day out – a great adventure and of course great fun! They even welcomed a 90 year old lady which proves you are never too old to Go Ape!
It’s a place I went to often as a child and a regular day out whenever the relations came over from Italy; they loved the hall, to them it was the epitome of an English house (and a fine example of one to boot!) which they still talk about to this day. So, going back to Samlesbury Hall after some time and having the benefit of Director Sharon Jones as guide, was a bit of a revelation.
Things have changed at Samlesbury. Not the wonderful moment you turn the corner on the drive to see the splendour of the black and white timbers or, the beautifully kept gardens (literally springing-into new life after our seemingly endless winter) no, the real changes are within the hall itself.
Having met the legend that is Ken Hom today at Northcote during the Obsession 10 festival, we asked Ken your questions posed on Twitter...
What is your favourite wine?
Mr Hom said, “People often think that wine doesn’t go with Chinese food but I disagree; one because I like drinking wine and if you are having a Chinese dish of duck or pork I think a red wine really complements the dish. A red wine from France or the new world would be my choice!
The break between Christmas and New Year saw me hankering for a brisk walk and some fresh air so we decided to take a drive up to Morecambe and have lunch at The Midland Hotel. I haven’t been since English Lakes Hotels took over the management of the property and the rest of the family hadn’t been at all.
Sally's Tale: It was a dark, dark night in West Lancashire, the moon was out and the ghouls were ready for Farmaggedon– the ultimate terror experience!
I’m a big wimp generally when it comes to ghost trains and horror movies but this looked liked fun and it was, it was really good, scary fun.
First up was ‘Terror on the Farm’. We queued briefly outside a haunted house, complete with dancing skeletons and freakish dancers to wait our turn. The majority of other thrill-seekers were teens, but there were also families and couples waiting, and wanting to be scared. Finally we were invited in (we were in a group of 4) and so made our way cautiously inside. We followed dark passage ways through scary scenes and gory sets as blood thirsty actors jumped out, screamed and terrorised our path. The sound affects and the screams from other ‘victims’ added to the experience – which was as much fun as it was frightening!
Zoe's Tale: Having just left the other scare house I was a little on edge and could have done with a few minutes of mediation just to calm the nerves... With 'inmates' chasing and jumping out at me from behind coffins, tables and walls my pulse was racing the whole way around Insanity. The' shirking rooms' were particularly disturbing; being forced to push your way through a giant marshmallow sounds like fun, but in the dark with people pushing at your back and screams it overpowered my senses! After leaving Insanity the general feedback from the crowed was “excellent”! And I shall definitely be back next year too!
"I'm the King of the Castle and you're the dirty rascal" That was the cry from Sarah Short on Sunday (18 October), our recent competition winner as she spent the day as King of The Castle at Clitheroe Castle Museum. Sarah and her 5 loyal subjects descended on the Museum for an exciting day of exploration, adventure and fun - a day fit for a king!
As Site Manager of Clitheroe Castle I had the honour of welcoming Sarah and her retinue to our wonderful museum. I must say that I had a great time – it's not often that I get to dress up in costume as a Medieval woman and take such a lively group around our venue.
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