Fifth Form Outing to Ingleton and District
For most members of the Fifth Form, Tuesday, April 7th, 1953, is a day to be remembered. At eight o'clock we left Oldham Market Place by motor coach, bound for Ingleton. The weather was perfect, with ideal conditions which lasted all day - to the obvious delight of Mr. Wells, who had arranged the outing.
But for a half hour spent in Settle, we went uninterruptedly on our way to Clapham, which we reached at 10.30 a.m. From here we went by foot through the heavily wooded Ingleborough estate, passing by the lake and Clapham Cave into Trow Ghyll. We left this gorge by a rocky staircase and emerged on the open moors. After walking through half a mile, of marshy ground we came to Gaping Ghyll, the largest pot-hole in the British Isles, which is 1,350 feet above sea level. We rested here for a while, admiring the views, and then commenced the climb up the shoulder of Ingleborough, pausing many times to point out landmarks and admire new vistas. We finally reached the summit, 2,250 feet above sea level, and ate our lunch, looking over the extensive countryside below which included a glimpse of Morecambe Bay. Owing to the altitude, however, it was very cold, so we began the steep descent without delay.
About two miles from the summit we came to Weathercote Cave, where we saw a waterfall in a pot-hole, and when we reached the road we found the coach waiting, which took us to White Scar Cave. The stalactites, stalagmites, limestone formations and waterfall were pointed out to us by a guide, at the cave, and he explained that some of the stalagmites were known by names, for example, "The Mother and Child," "Father Christmas," and "The Buddha." The time was then 4.00 p.m. and we made for Ingleton, some of the party going on foot in order to see, en route, the many waterfalls which included Thornton Force, and the remainder travelling by coach. The waterfall, pouring from its limestone ledge, was a magnificent sight, and had attracted visitors other than our party. From there we continued on our way to Ingleton along a winding path, through a steep-sided, beautifully wooded valley, in which we saw many smaller cascades. At 5.30 p.m. we reached our destination and were ready for our teas, which were obtained in the many cafes. We remained in the village until 7.30 p.m. and then left for Oldham, with a short stay at Gisburn on the way.
The journey back took three hours, and on our arrival in Oldham we felt that we had had a most enjoyable day, thanks to the district, the weather and, of course, Mr. Wells.
BRENDA TAYLOR.
SHIRLEY GIBSON.
The Third Year Trip to Stratford-on-Avon
On the morning of June 3rd, the Third Year, after assembling on West Street site at 8.0 a.m., set off for Lichfield, where we stopped for half an hour. Some of us made our way to the cathedral. The cathedral takes its name from St. Chad, the first bishop of Mercia, who had his see at Lichfield. The one thing which I wanted to see was the tomb of the "sleeping children." The altar itself is a very fine work of art. After we left the cathedral we set off for Stratford, passing Warwick Castle. We also passed Arden forest which was a sign that we were not far from Shakespeare's native town.
The red building of the theatre was the first sight that greeted us. As we scrambled out of the coach, Mildred and I made our way in the direction of Shakespeare's birthplace. We paid sixpence for admission and visited each room. In one room was a small hole in the wall which, the guide said, according to legend was a hole through which members of the family could hold a conversation with their neighbour, which I admit is much more convenient than going into one another's houses. In the Elizabethan age one wrote one's signature with a diamond on the window pane, and there is the signature of Shakespeare's leading lady, after she had visited the house. After visiting the birthplace we went to the theatre. As we were not able to enter we contented ourselves by wandering round its grounds and peeping through the windows. We also saw the four bronzes of Falstaff, Hamlet and two other of Shakespeare's characters. Mr. Wells then took us to Shottery to see Anne Hathaway's cottage which is a spot frequented by American tourists. We saw the old settle which is said to have held William and Anne while he was doing his "courting." At the foot of her bed is an old box in which Anne Hathaway placed her Bible each night. Before we left the cottage we signed the visitors' book.
After having seen the cottage we left Shottery and returned to Stratford and picked up the remainder of our party and then went to Coventry for tea. We left Coventry at 7.30 p.m. After an exciting and tiring day we returned to Oldham at 12.30 a.m.
JOAN SCHOLEFIELD, 4X.