Beautiful maybe - but does this area really belong to Lancashire?

THIS week, I explored the stretch of the Leeds to Liverpool canal between Salterforth and Barnoldswick.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine described this area as one of Lancashire's prettiest walks.

This would not have pleased too many folk in Barlick, because until 1974 this area was in Yorkshire.

I don't blame 'em for wanting it back and perhaps a referendum should be held, with any new home rule assembly for Barnoldswick being held in the Anchor Inn, at Salterforth!

Walking along the canal bank, it is easy to see how important the Anchor Inn was at the time when the canal was the most important link between Yorkshire and Lancashire.

There is good ale here and the cellars are unique as seepage has produced impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

The best way to distinguish between the two is that stalagmite has a "g" in it and grows up from the ground and stalactites has a "c" in it and grows from the ceiling.

Both are formed from lime which, over the years, evaporates from water seeping through limestone or mortar.

As I walked, it was easy to see how water can damage masonry and canal banks need to be kept in repair, otherwise a collapse would result in major flooding.

Just beyond the Anchor Inn, I found work going on not only on the bank. One brave soul was actually up to his waist in water, toiling away.

He looked for all the world like a naval diver inspecting the hull of a ship.

The whole area between Colne and Skipton is a walker's paradise, especially those with an interest in industrial archaeology and natural history.

Apart from the canal towpath, which is an easy walk, the old railway line from Colne is now a linear footpath.

One stretch leads from Earby to Thornton and those who stroll slowly will be rewarded by discovering the remains of old platforms, hotels built especially for the railway and the occasional bits of rusting iron almost submerged in bramble and other vegetation.

Parking is not a problem wherever you want to walk and, providing you pick the right day, the Salterforth canal walk is one of the best in our area.

Beyond the "diver" I watched a coot diving for food.

It's amazing how our wildlife seems to have invented (or perhaps evolved is the best word) all the things which have taxed the human brain.

It just goes to show that there is nothing new under the sun.

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Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.