IF you want to be verbally assaulted, try to tell a resident of Trawden that they are just part of Colne.

You will be told in no uncertain terms that Trawden is a settlement in its own right, with a long history all of its own.

Originally the place was a mere hamlet in the middle of the ancient Trawden Forest, which one occupied the area from Boulsworth Hill to Colne.

The word "forest" meant an area where hunting took place from Saxon times but gradually the trees were cut down for building and to clear land for farming.

Most of the trees have long gone but Trawden is still surrounded by attractive areas of countryside and farmland.

It was only during the 17th century that any industry other than farming was developed.

Coal mining became important but the last pit was opened in 1874 and by the middle of the next century all the scars left by the operations had begun to heal.

By the 18th century handloom weaving had become important, although at this time wool and not cotton was the staple textile.

Many handloom weavers' cottages can still be seen in the area and have been converted into attractive homes.

I would have expected some parts of Trawden to have been given Grade 2 listing but this has not been the case.

There is, however, one structure which is so listed. this is a cast iron urinal, once a feature of so many places in Victorian times but now rare.

The ironwork is certainly intricate and so unusual that it is quite right it should be listed.

At this time Trawden was expanding rapidly as handloom weaving of wool was replaced by mills weaving cotton.

The cotton has now gone, along with the coal, so it remains for the farms to continue the history of Trawden, which takes its name from the trough-shaped valley in which it is situated.

Some reminder of the past can be seen by looking at Trawden Hall, dating to 1540 and set on the corner of the well-names Goose Green Lane.

The attractive church dates from about 1840 and is located on a crossroads at the southern end of the village.

A short distance away is a Quaker graveyard dating from 1686 and here is the last resting place of William Hartley, who made his fortune from jam-making.

He built a set of alms houses between Colne and Laneshawbridge which still exist.

Those who love walking should stroll about half a mile to the south of the church to the Lumb Spout waterfall and also look at Midge Hole, which was once a place where cotton workers gathered to gamble away from the prying eyes of the police.

On the opposide side of the village is the Ball Grove picnic site, which now looks idyllic and is a delightful place to enjoy a picnic and a stroll.

The site has not always been so pleasant and throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries Ball grove was one of the largest tanneries in Europe.

The stench and pollution have long gone, to be replaced only by explanatory notice boards, old ponds which are nature havens, along with crystal clear streams and weirs.

Within walking distance of Trawden is Wycoller, one of the best-preserved handloom weavers' hamlets and now the focus of a splendid country park. For details, telephone the ranger on 01282 861286.

At Winewall is an Inghamite chapel built in 1752.

Benjamin Ingham was a Church of England clergyman who was a friend of John Wesley and set up his own sect.

Like many others, he was in dispute with the traditionalists.

His chapels at Winewall and Wheatley Lane proved to be very successful.

To the south west of Trawden, on Boulsworth Hill, is Lad Law and a stone there is said to be a druid monument.

There is a large Iron Age fort at Castercliffe on the hills above Colne.

The road from Trawden Church to Carry Bridge should be explored at leisure and show the local scenery to perfection.

Here are unspoiled woodland, streams and farmland.

I don't want to be verbally assaulted so I am happy to celebrate Trawden as a unique settlement and separate from Colne!