Posted by Ian E-N on May 01, 2002 at 18:29:27 from 213.1.192.220:
In Reply to: 'Summit register'? posted by Peter H on April 26, 2002 at 11:30:56:
At this point I have to say that alas, this would not be possible in the UK. Such a 'register' would not last for more than a week, and I am not referring to the weather here, unfortunately
not a new development either
Personal Recollections of Lower Bentham from 1882
Joseph Carr writing in the Lancaster Guardian on 15th May, 1897
The closing article of this series should be on the building
improvements which have taken place in the tradesmens shops,
working mens homes, &c., since 1820, but my present knowledge
of later improvements is too inadequate for me to undertake.
In place of such an article some recollection of the two Benthams
may not be without interest. There were many things in the
far past which bore resemblance in the two villages. The building
and opening of a tower on Ingleborough was a memorable
event in the history of the parish.
The Hospice Tower
This heading was the proposed heading of the new building indicating
that the erection was to be a general benefit to all tourists and the
public generally who might ascend the venerable mountain. It was a
matter which interested all the neighbouring villages, hamlets, and
even persons living in more distant towns. Mr. Homby Roughsedge,
of Bentham House, asked to be representative of the two Mills Company
and the Lords of Ingleton Manor. As the two villages were equally interested
in the movement it is only reasonable to include it in the reminiscences.
Of late years I have only met with three old men who remembered the event,
and were present at the opening. The late Mr. John Scott, and Mr. William
Harrison, of Clapham, and Mr. J. Thomas Coates, who is now in his 84th
year of his age. A year or two ago he told me that the event took place
when he was in the 16th year of his age, which would be in 1830. He also
told me that many gentlemen contributed to the building fund. It will be
taken for granted that there was no easy matter to take material to the
summit of the mountain.
There was one local advantage, there was plenty of stone within
easy reach. The timber, lime, &c., were carted on a road branching from
the old Ingleton and Clapham turnpike, near Newby Cote. The building of
a tower on Ingleborough was viewed in different aspects through a wide
district. While some persons looked upon it as a wild goose chase,
which was sure to prove a failure, others thought that a tower on
Ingleborough would not only be an attraction to mountain climbers but
a convenience in which they might rest and take their portable refreshments.
Though the lords of the manor might use the Tower as a shooting box, still
it was well understood that it would always be accessible to the public.
During the erection of the tower spying glasses and telescopes were used
in clear weather in the surrounding villages to see what progress was being
made in what was pronounced one of the wonders of Lunesdale. When the
building was near its completion great preparations were made for its
opening. The promoters of the Tower decided to make it a memorable event
and a historical record.
The Opening of the Hospice Tower
The opening took place in the summer, and the day proved auspicious
for the opening. People from every quarter of the compass were on their way
from the two Benthams, Ingleton, and the neighbouring villages. The centre
of attraction was convenient for Ingleton and Clapham, consequently many
persons availed themselves of the opportunity. There were also a number
of gentlemen present to witness the proceedings. The chief features of
the day were feasting, racing, drinking, and at night drunkenness, and
mischievous rowdiness. The tower was a circular and substantial building with
a dome roof. A round stone table for refreshments was fixed to the centre.
The door and windows were made of strong material on account of the terrible
winds which sweep over the summits plain from the north-west and the
north-east. To human appearance it looked as if it would resist the winter
storms for ages with occasional repairing. The memorable event, took place
with great rejoicing and much shouting. Mr. Roughsedge and many of his
friends were there to take part in the opening ceremony. The racecourse
was round the summit of the hill, which was about a mile. In one race twice
round, Bark Smith, a well-known Ingleton coal miner, won the first prize,
Kit Foster of Yarsber the second, and a Clapham man of the name of Parker
the third. There were more races, but the one mentioned was the principal.
Money was collected from the spectators to meet expenses.
Mr. Roughsedge, Mr. Overend, and their friends left for home some time
before the drunken rows began and the work of mischief was completed. Thus
drink and rowdyism inflicted ruin and desecration on an ornamental and
useful building which had been put up at great expense and much labour
for the benefit of mountain climbers as well as for the convenience
of a shooting box in the grouse season. The great mischief done at the
close of the memorable gala so grieved and annoyed Mr. Roughsedge and
the friends who had planned and carried out the building of "Hospice Tower"
that they would undertake no repairs, so that in the course of a few years
it became a mass of ruins. When the door and windows were broken the torrent
of winter rains and howling winds had free access to its interior and brought
down its dome. The ruins lie in a heap near the south-west of the mountains
edge and within sight of all the villages and towns westward as far as
Lancaster and Morecambe as a monument of the sad effects of intoxicating drinks.
that's Ingleborough, my local mountain, as seen by AR on his returns to Leeds from the Lakes. Never been up it myself - burrowed around in it a lot though.