Ron Freethy visits Ribchester...

ON Boat Race Saturday I enjoyed a little sunshine sitting on a seat overlooking the Ribble Valley at Ribchester.

I do not often take my collection of old photographs with me during my excursions into the countryside but the spring of 2001 is different.

I repeat each week that the foot and mouth outbreak should restrict our movements but there is still plenty to enjoy if we plan carefully.

As I drove towards Ribchester on the back road from Whalley I could smell the ramsons, also known as wild garlic or stinking onions. Also growing in the woodlands alongside the road where wood anemone, lords and ladies and primroses.

I saw a jay flying across the road in front of me.

My task, however, was to look at my collection of early photographs of Ribchester. I found that the main street, in a picture dating from 1904, had the same appearance, although the old handloomers' cottages have been restored and traffic is always in evidence.

The atmosphere of Ribchester, however, has remained and I think that its flavour of the Roman period and Industrial Revolution chapter in its history blend perfectly.

The Riverside scenery is always idyllic and the church and Roman museum which, I have often described in my columns, are two of Lancashire's joys. So are the Alms Houses at nearby Stydd but you'll need to check carefully to see whether the stroll from Ribchester is still open. Look at the columns of the 18th Century structure and you will see the glory that was Roman. Look also at the columns supporting the porch of the White Bull Hotel and you also get a feel for the Roman Empire.

Visit the museum and see the excellent exhibits dating from the time when the Emperors of Rome ruled most of Europe.

Then go on to look at Ribchester's old cottages, dating from the start of the Industrial Revolution -- just before King Cotton was crowned in his Lancashire stronghold.

The riverside will be at its best during April and May. There are plenty of places to eat but if a picnic is your idea of heaven then there are plenty of seats along the banks of the Ribble.

On the day of my visit I saw two sand martins, which are always early migrants.

During April and May they will be followed by swallows and house martins and the last to arrive will be the swifts.

Ribchester should always be enjoyed slowly -- it is the sort of place which grows on you.

Bearing in mind that we must respect the privacy of residents, I always find time to look closely at the stone blocks of the buildings. Many were "quarried" from the old Roman fort especially at the time of the population increase during the Industrial Revolution. The architecture of the old villages of East Lancashire always fascinates me and next week I am going to explore a Settlement which is a complete contrast to Ribchester. This is Barrowford, which is a wonderful balance between the 16th, 19th and 21st centuries.