A WEEK or two ago I strolled through Wiswell and Whalley and mentioned that all ancient villages were founded because they had a reliably supply of fresh water. This is certainly true of Pendleton.

The energetic can find a network of footpaths from either Whalley or Clitheroe to Pendleton using the Landranger Ordnance Survey Map No 103.

Do take care before setting off that these footpaths are open. It is difficult for me to predict if and when foot and mouth restrictions apply. The golden rule is "if in doubt stay out."

The same rule applies to this walk which begins near the Swan With Two Necks, an excellent hostelry and proceeds to Pendleton Church. From there, there is a footpath to and from the ancient hamlet of Wymondhouses.

DISTANCE AND TIME: The energetic coming from Clitheroe or Whalley can cover as much as 12 miles but the Pendleton Wymondhouses is around four miles and about three hours should be allowed.

MY WALK: A combination of hot early September sun and cool showers combined to provide a bracing stroll.

Pendleton is a village sliced in two by an unpolluted brook. Along the main street between old cottages with mullioned windows and festooned with colourful hanging baskets are farms which prove that the village was once self sufficient.

Beyond the Swan With Two Necks is the church and old school dated to 1847. Between the two, however, is one of the most important bits of history in the area. This is Fiddle Bridge which once spanned the bridge but which was lost to Pendleton for more than 100 years.

Fiddle Bridge so named because of its shape is a huge block of stone of a type known since the bronze age. In the year 2000 the villagers decided to have their bridge back. The workers from Castle Cement provided machinery and muscle and in combination with the village determination Fiddle Bridge is back where it belongs. An appropriate plaque celebrates the event and in the year 2000 the achievement gained the Heritage Award in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Grimewatch Awards.

From the church the ancient track to Wiswell passes through the moorland hamlet of Wymondhouses on the foothills of Pendle. This is famous in the annuals of ecclesiastical history because this was the preaching base of Thomas Jollie (1629-1703). He founded the first congregational church in the area. No doubt he chose Wymondhouses because it was so isolated at a time when those who chose not to conform to Church of England doctrine were far from popular.

Jollie began his ministry at St James' Church at Altham but like many Puritans he was expelled when Charles II was restored in 1660. Eventually after Jollie had hidden away at Wymondhouses some semblance of toleration was established and at nearby Barrow just off the A59 Whalley to Clitheroe road is the Jollie Memorial Chapel.

A careful look at maps and footpaths would reveal a great walk. It could begin and end at the Memorial Chapel and pass through Pendleton and Wymondhouses. I've even got a title. What about a "Jollie Wonderful Walk?"

By the time I returned to Pendleton I was ready for a brew and a meal at the Swan With Two Necks but not before I had photographed yellow loostrife by the Fiddle Bridge and cow parsley by the side of the stream. I always enjoy the balance between history and natural history during my walks. On the whole for those with patience, flower identification is easy but one family of plants does present a problem. This is the Umbellifer family which includes Hogweed and wild carrot.

A BOOK TO HELP YOU: Umbellifers of the British Isles by Sabina Knees (Shire Publications, £2.50).

I like it when only British species are described. Having to wade through large numbers of European species can be very confusing. This very difficult family is lucidly described in only 24 pages. There are lots of coloured illustrations and diagrams showing features which can confuse amateurs like us.

There is a section showing which species grow in which habitats and there is also another section describing the poisonous species.

This book is value for money and the walk here described is value for effort.

If you want to stretch your muscles and inspire your soul then you could do worse than follow in the footsteps of good old Thomas Jollie.

Pendleton is situated off the A59 road about half way between Whalley and Clitheroe.

Next week: Following Jollie to Altham.