Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY - this week, Bentham

AS we celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, I am aiming to explore some of our local beacon hills. In times of danger or on days of celebrations it has been a tradition to light bonfires on prominent hills.

This week I am going to explore Beacon Hill and next week I am going to explore good old Pendle in a new light -- literally.

I followed the River Wenning, which is a tributary of the Lune. The hedgerows around Melling were full of flowers, including violets, primroses and barren strawberry but these blooms are beginning to fade and are now being replaced by white deadnettle, germander speedwell and greater stitchwort.

Just off the Kirkby Lonsdale to Melling road and close to a pretty bridge is an old toll house which has been lovingly restored. It is a private residence but it has retained its old tariff board. Even the gateposts have been retained.

These days with our good road surfaces it is hard to imagine just how the Turnpike system worked. Why did people accept paying a toll? Why did people not just ride their horses round the gates. In the old days, however, areas were not drained and the only solid surface for horses and carriages in wet weather was along the toll roads. Those who used them, paid for them.

After watching dippers and grey wagtails feeding their young close to the river bank, I decided that, as the morning mists evaporated in warm sunlight and a stiff breeze, I would head to hills and enjoy the scenery.

Beacon Fell looks at its best in May and June and I was ready for a cup of tea before following a couple of the well-marked footpaths. The publicity leaflet is well presented and even more importantly it is very informative.

Beacon Fell as its name implies was once part of an early warning system which was vital until replaced in the modern electronic age.

The pond outside the visitor centre is fringed with reeds and marsh marigolds which are also known as king cups. These flowers look very delicate and it is hard to realise that it is one of the most simple and ancient plants to be found anywhere in the world.

These days more and more sculptors are working on carving trees into exotic shapes to add interest to the footpaths. The Beacon Fell area was one of the first to decorate footpaths in this way.

I have written several times pointing out that I am not keen on this type of natural art. I thought that the best decorator of all is Mother Nature herself. I have now changed my mind and, providing this happens on marked footpaths, good artists are good news indeed.

From the forested area I climbed a steep path onto the summit of the fell and the views were spectacular. In the shelter of a few trees I enjoyed my second picnic of the day.

We have already had a dry warm spring and if we get a long hot summer fire is a real hazard. While strolling I watched a man and his wife light a cigarette and throw a match on the path. The man did not seem at all pleased as I picked up the match and put it in a bag I always carry with me. I also picked up three glass bottles on the path. The glass can focus the sun's heat onto dry vegetation, with obvious results.

The lesson for us all is obvious. We should protect our countryside as we would protect our home. You should take your litter home but we should also remove other people's litter, especially if it is likely to cause a hazard.

On a sun-warmed rock I found a lizard basking in the heat and among other rocks I watched wheatears displaying and their obvious white rump was clearly seen.

This was a wonderful walk in glorious countryside, and with the required blend between history and natural history.

In the long days of spring and summer it is possible to enjoy these two strolls with a break in between for a quiet picnic. To reach Bentham from East Lancashire follow the A59 through Gisburn, turn left on the road to Long Preston and then join the A65 through Settle. Bentham is signed left from the A65 and close to Bentham is the little village of Melling.

Beacon Fell can be reached from Melling but an alternative are the signed routes from the A6 between Preston and Lancaster.