Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY - this week, around Gisburn

GISBURN has always been one of my favourite places to stroll in the Ribble Valley, but I have been disappointed with it in recent years.

Thankfully, however, it is coming back from the dead -- the splendid old parish church has been renovated and at present the Ribblesdale Arms seems to literally be "on the mend" as renovation is in full swing.

I started my walk at the Ribblesdale Arms and then went on around the footpath through the grounds of Gisburne Park Hospital (formerly the Hall). Until very recently Gisburn always had an "e" on the end.

It is said that when the railway opened in 1885 the "e" was dropped because it saved money on printing! It is hard to believe this but this is certainly the time that the "e" was taken off.

Old Gisburne had a Monday market and an annual fair granted to the monks of Sawley Abbey in 1260. At first the market was held on ground now belonging to the Ribblesdale Arms but the Cattle Market is now situated close to the old station. This market has only just opened again following the foot and mouth outbreak and the Thursday honey-pot of activity is slowly coming back to life.

This also applies to the Ribblesdale Arms which is thankfully being restored. It was built in 1635 and the Parliamentary Troops, including Cromwell himself, passed through Gisburn in 1648. The troops stabled some horses in the nave of the church and smashed a lot of medieval stained glass. They were in high spirits following their victory in the Battle of Preston.

I decided to have a look at the church before taking the easy-to-follow footpaths around Gisburne Park. St Mary's is partly Norman, including the main doorway and the two huge pillars.

There are two interesting gravestones. Jenny Preston was said to be a witch and her headstone has a cauldron carved on it. A much more Christian grave is that of Frances Duckworth, the composer of the famous hymn known as Rimington.

A few weeks ago in this column I mentioned Rimington and asked if readers knew of any other tunes written by Duckworth. Keith Hall, of Downham, gave me photocopies of names and music. He included one entitled Gisburn, which was one good reason for following this route.

The sun was shining brightly as I followed the track up to and around Gisburne Park, now a hospital but once the seat of the Earls of Ribblesdale. This was thought to be the residence of Guy de Gisburne, who may have been one of the models on which was based the story of Robin Hood.

On the footpath is a bridge crossing the old railway track. Lord Ribblesdale would only allow the railway to come through his land on condition that the company made the bridges look like small castles. I never rush this walk, especially in spring when the combination of flowers and bird song is wonderful. For the patients recovering in the wards of Gisburne Park I cannot think of a better pick-me-up.

There are two things I would like to see happen in this village. I want to see Ribblesdale Arms restored and I would like to see the "e" put back in Gisburn -- never mind the cost!