Prestwich and Whitefield Probus Club

War-time evacuation to the Ribble Valley had revealed to him the rural beauty which lay beyond the urban smoke of those years. Inspiration had come also from the writings of the late Jessica Lofthouse which urged him to probe even further afield.

Train, tram and his "trusty steed" - his bicycle - have transported him to quiet villages, unpolluted rivers, nature reserves and quarries reclaimed by Natures plants and wildlife.

Coffee cups were thrust aside as the opening slide showed The Yew Tree Inn and thoughts of clearer liquid refreshment within sprang to mind.

It wasn't a continuous journey with a strict start and finish, but grasshopper-like, jumping around the county from the Fylde coast in the west, to Bolton-by-Bowland on the border with Yorkshire, down to Wigan Pier and ending with Fletcher Moss Gardens nearer to home.

Meanderings revealed much inbetween. Fine stone buildings with their fabric in many subtle colours and dated carvings telling of their age. Homes of yeoman farmers in bygone years, lovingly and tastefully restored to extend their lives, were always worth a lingering look.

So were fine old halls such as Rufford Old Hall, Haigh Hall and Mawdesley pleasurable to view. Reminders too of Agecroft Hall, lost to America when it was demolished then re-erected in Virginia. Abbey remains at Sawley and Whalley reminded us of past religious strife but gardens adjacent tempted one to loiter and revel in the array of colours.

Terry assured us we had gorgeous weather earlier this year and he had plenty of photographic proof. Who could forget the slides of red tulips in profusion for all to relish or the different moods of Pendle Hill and Winter Hill? What we might have missed near the latter was a tomb of 2000-3000 B.C.

Old churches with architecture in different styles and fine wooden carvings inside were superb subjects. A Jacobean pulpit was a solid and exquisite piece of work.

Natures own treasures which were screened included fine landscapes, despoiled quarries now recovered providing recreation for Mankind, and the River Hodder never seemed to be far way, nor the rural reaches of the Ribble. Restored canals have led to urban regeneration and a location where Terry usually captured pictures of narrow boats.Throughout his talk Terry urged us to get out there and see it whilst its there and we are! Recommendations for hostelry stops came a-plenty and he proved that he was a master at chatting up ladies who provided him with cups of tea then opened up their home for photographic purposes only of course!

Were promised a second show which club president Albert Molineux assured our speaker we all eagerly look forward to. So there's more in 2005. It was great entertainment from Terry for which he was readily applauded.

Off to Gallipoli at our next meeting, on December 16, when Mary Davidson will show more of her excellent slides.

BERNARD HOWCROFT