Drive & Stroll, with Ron Freethy

THE information centre and car park in Barley is the starting point for a network of footpaths.

I began my walk on a mid February morning with the warm, almost spring-like sunshine quickly melting the morning frost. I crossed the bridge and then followed the footpath past the chapel and headed for the reservoirs.

On this walk I did not intend to climb Pendle but for those who fancy a steep clamber up the hill then the Ogden route is one of the best, but not so well used as many others.

Both Upper and Lower Ogden reservoirs are situated at the foot of Pendle and have provided drinking water to Nelson and district for almost a century. Neither is regarded as a major site for wintering wildfowl but their attraction should not be underrated.

The Ogden walk can be damp in places and I recommend a good pair of boots or wellingtons. Obviously the natural history is impressive in this area but visitors should not neglect the hsitory of Barley.

Barley, known as Bareleigh in 1324, means an infertile lea or meadow. The township of Barley included Barley Booth, Wheatley Booth and Haybooth and Whitehalgh (now known as Whitehough) -- "booth" meaning cowsheds. About 1266, a cow farm was established, followed by extensive cattle breeding in the 13th century. Barley earned its livelihood from agriculture until the 18th century when textiles were manufactured and handlooms were installed in attics of many smallholdings as an extra source of income.

Barley's brooks -- as an effective sourse of waterpower -- attracted cotton factories. There was a mill at Narrowgates and one at Barley Green -- which is now the site of North West Water's filter station. In its heyday in 1862, Barley Green Mill worked 200 looms but floods destroyed the building in 1880. A cotton twist mill at Narrowgates was built by William Hartley to spin cotton warp thread. Workers cottages were improved by Pendle Council in 1976 and are now occupied by local people.

Although I had completed my circular walk, I found time to stoll the couple of hundred yards to enjoy the Narrowgates cottages, which in the lighter months of the year are a riot of colourful hanging baskets.