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Historic shoes found during pub renovation
1:23pm Wednesday 18th July 2007
Comments (9)A PAIR of centuries-old shoes have provided a unique insight into an historic pub's past - after being found under the floorboards.
The footwear, measuring three inches and believed to have belonged to a child, were discovered during renovations at the Aspinall Arms, in Mitton Road, Mitton.
Lancashire tour guide and historian Simon Entwistle said the shoes may have been a good luck charm used to ward off evil spirits like the Pendle Witches.
They were hanged in 1612 because the ten men and women were believed to have been responsible for the murder by witchcraft of 17 people in and around the Forest of Pendle.
The shoes, which Mr Entwistle believes are 200 to 300 years old, are made of brown leather, with worn soles and were probably worn by a three or four-year-old.
Simon Forster, landlord of the Aspinall Arms, which has recently had three new bed and breakfast rooms added in the renovations, said he planned to display the shoes along with the 1920s lease documents found next to them.
He said: "We were installing a new fire alarm system and the floor boards needed replacing when they were found.
"I would like to put them back for good luck reasons but everyone says we should display them in a case along with the documents so that is what I will do."
Sally Forster, the landlord's sister, said: "We were stunned to find the shoes. We are so intrigued and would like to know the history behind them.
"An article I was sent said another reason people concealed shoes behind the walls and floorboards was to help women who could not conceive as well as warding off evil spirits."
"And it is very rare to find a pair."
In the past, cigarette boxes from the 1920s have been discovered in the walls of the pub.
Mr Entwistle, who runs independent tours around Ribble Valley and Pendle, said: "No one knows the exact age of these shoes but they are unique and there must be some lovely history behind them.
"I believe they belonged to a child aged three or four.
"They are very badly worn but the brown leather looks to be very good quality.
"There is some indication they were used to ward off witches, almost like a lucky charm."
Your Say YourLancashire Telegraph
WILLIAM, AVONDALE, AZ says...
11:02pm Wed 18 Jul 07
is there a website that would display information about old buildings and their histories ?
The Truth, Veritas says...
11:48am Thu 19 Jul 07
No such thing as bad publicity, though.
Please don't give people titles they are not entitled to use and get a qualified person in who IS entitled to use such a title AND comment on the nature and age of the shoes.
The shoes could have been accidentally left there by a small child, anything - but a charm to ward off the Pendle Witches sounds much better doesn't it?
What complete and utter poppycock!
Peter S, Ribble Valley says...
1:01pm Thu 19 Jul 07
The concealment of shoes and other artifacts in buildings is well documented, as is the common belief that this was an old folk custom to both bring luck and prevent evil spirits from entering the building.
There is a index of similar finds here http://www.northampt
on.gov.uk/site/scrip
ts/documents_info.ph
p?documentID=311&pag
eNumber=1 at the Northampton Museums web page.
I think a child accidentally leaving a pair of shoes under the floorboards is highly unlikely !
As for giving people titles they are not entitled to use, I think calling oneself the truth is a bit of a laugh.
HB, Darwen says...
2:31pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Veritas, Veritas says...
5:43pm Thu 19 Jul 07
He runs ghost walks, so is bound to be getting some trade now after this.
And we have Pendle Hill conveniently situated closeby ... by the way I am from Whalley, so I know perfectly well the local folklore but also the stuff peddled out for tourists such as this.
Simon may well be correct in what he sayd, but he's not an historian.
He has no letters after his name, never studied as an historian.
Ever been on one of his ghost walks? Well, most of them are 'embellished' by stories to make them sound good. Same old stuff around the country on such things.
Even people who work with Simon say he's a bit of a story teller, too.
So, some nice publicity but how did Simon get involved with this?
If someone had 'just found' a pair of historical items in their home or building why, then, do they not get a properly lettered historian and someone who can actually VERIFY their age, but also their authenticity and why they were actually there.
On that score, Peter S - I speak the truth. He's not an historian. And it makes a mockery of people who are and study for years to become either archaeologists or historians.
Sorry, but Simon often gets printed as being an 'expert' on this and that when he's not.
If you cannot understand that, but must attack me for pointing that out, I suggest you go look up the terms in your dictionary.
And coming from the Ribble Valley ... as you mention ... You're attitude does not surprise me.
Have a vested interest in Simon and his ventures do we ...?
As to titles ... who the hell are you to say things about me? You don't know me, you don't know what qualifications I have.
However I DO know what Simon is and isn't. And that this will make good publicity for him if nothing else. Not a week goes by he's not in the local press for something or other.
So, Peter with an 'S' I am thus allowed to comment on something I see bandied about in the press which is an 'untruth' but a 'falsehood'.
I can just see the cash registers 'kerchinging' over this now. And more trade for the Aspinall as well.
Veritas, Veritas says...
5:50pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Do you suggest when someone finds a dead body in the street, house or countryside they, instead of going to a forensic expert via the police, that we call out the local village 'expert' on Agatha Christie?
Seems like it.
Oh, I give up. You people believe what you want to believe.
Oh, by the way I AM entitled to use the term Veritas in my profession Mr Sunny Jim cos I have letters after my name.
So, stuff that down your Ribble Valley gullet and smile. :)
mildly amused, Clitheroe says...
11:11pm Thu 19 Jul 07
J Aspinall, Ribble Valley says...
5:06pm Fri 20 Jul 07
Mr. Truth, or whatever it says on your hat and cape, if you want to slag off Simon Entwistle be a grown-up and tell it to his face. Everyone in Clitheroe knows he is a quack, so why bother wasting your time belching your complete and utter poppycock opinion here?
Twerp.
As for the shoes, it is very likely that they are as old as Entwistle is claiming, as the Aspinall Arms itself (formerly known as the Mitton Boat) was originally built in same time period that witch burnings were common in the Ribble Valley.
MYSTERY FIND: Simon Entwistle (left) and Simon Forster inspect the shoes
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John Crawford, Whalley says...
1:56pm Wed 18 Jul 07
I had a meal at the Aspinall Arms recently following the renovation and it is absolutely fantastic - a definite rival to the Three Fishes!
The history of the place just adds to the atmosphere.