A group of  15 of us and 1 dog gathered at Brindle village hall on a dry, sunny but blustery day to set off on field paths around Brindle and Hoghton.  We soon arrived at Top o’ th’ Lane - most of the original inhabitants here used to do handloom weaving to supplement their agricultural income.  Top o’ th’ Lane was also the site of the old Brindle workhouse. Built in 1735 at times it housed up to 200  people although it was only meant to take about 60.  It acquired notoriety as a place to send “difficult” cases and until 1816 was used for “pauper lunatics” as well as the destitute.

We left Top o’ th’ Lane and dropped down across fields to join the Leeds Liverpool canal for a short stretch. Leaving the canal we headed across more fields to join the track to Withnell Fold. The original settlement dates back to 1843 when the paper mill was built together with a row of cottages for the mill workers to live in.  From Withnell Fold we continued through Ollerton Fold,  Laund Fold (this farm had the look of an unofficial tip about it!!) and Brimmicroft to join the Leeds Liverpool canal once again.

 After lunch we dropped down to follow the river Darwen to Hoghton Bottoms, on the way passing the weir (which used to supply water to the local cotton mills) and going under the impressive 5 arch viaduct which carries the railway line from Colne to Preston.We left the river at Hoghton Bottoms to take the path around the edge of Hoghton Tower.  Crossing the main road we walked past Hoghton church then through fields to Duxon Hill. More lanes and fields eventually took us back to Brindle.

The walk ended with a visit to St James’ church Brindle  (no they weren’t giving thanks that I had managed to get everyone round the 10 mile walk without losing anyone!)  We all had a climb to the top of the church tower  (quite  breezy on top) and there was also a chance to have a look at the bells and see how they are rung.