Eric Leaver on a unique annual reunion

THE once-thriving village of Grane on the moors near Haslingden was home to more than 1,000 folk - who worked in its three mills, three quarries and on its 30 farms and worshipped in its two churches.

Their forefathers were notorious for the secret whisky stills they had hidden around this isolated country community.

But though it is more than 80 years since Grane disappeared under the waters of the giant reservoirs that now occupy the valley, the village makes a remarkable reappearance every year - in the form of a big annual get-together of those whose roots lie there.

More than 100 people who were either born in Grane or whose ancestors came from there will be travelling from all parts of the country for this year's Grane Tea Party on July 25 at the Clough Head Information Centre, which overlooks the reservoirs beneath which "their" village lies.

The special tea parties have been taking place and getting bigger since the first in 1991.

They started after their organiser, countryside information services assistant Jackie Ramsbottom, who works at Clough Head, heard two women complaining they no longer had the chance to meet old friends from the vanished village. As well as the tea and musical entertainment, ex-Graners will be shown a display of the family trees of folk from the Grane area and old photographs - like this one of the former Broad Holden Farm which now lies at the bottom of one of the reservoirs.

Old Graners who would like to attend the tea party should get contact the Clough Head centre. Tel. 01706 830162.

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