40 minute read
Call of the Sea Statue Celebrates Blackpool’s Award-Winning Coastline
A new statue celebrating the importance of protecting Blackpool’s beautiful natural coast and marine life has been unveiled today on Talbot Square.
The sculpture is one of a number of unique works commissioned as part of the ongoing regeneration plans to make the town centre more attractive to shoppers, residents and investors.
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The ‘Call of the Sea’ sculpture is sited close to the popular new heritage tram benches by artist Andy Hazell.
Artist Laurence Payot wants the life-sized statue to become a new local character inspired by sea goddesses and heroes across cultures.
Covered in replica shells and sea life based on those found locally, the statue gives a message of hope for the marine environment that is threatened globally by climate change.
The funding for the statue has come to Blackpool from a grant through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership under its Growth Deal.
The design was developed from the results of a community consultation led by the artist and plays with Blackpool’s link to performers using magic and illusion to entertain people, and in particular the traditional street performer disguised as a statue.
During the consultation phase, Laurence spent time with fashion students from Blackpool and The Fylde College, pupils from Blackpool Gateway Academy and the council’s www.lancmag.com
beach patrol team in creative workshop sessions before finalising her design.
Laurence wanted to find a suitable female model for the sculpture and Charlotte, who was born in Blackpool, was chosen due to her passion for the environment and her interest in marine conservation.
Charlotte said: “I was born in Blackpool and I couldn’t imagine living away from the sea – it has intrigued me from a very young age. The sea has so many hidden features, it is a beautiful and mysterious world. “I was delighted to help Laurence create this work, from seeing the initial children’s designs, to testing outfits and positions, and being 3D scanned! It was fascinating seeing the process from casting in wax, to bronze, and painting.
“I’m representing my generation, who have become more aware of the problems we now face. We live at a turning point – we need to take action, and this is what this statue represents, looking after and fighting for our environment and our future.”
The sculpture has been made by Castle Arts Foundry using a state-ofthe art 3D scanner on the live model so that the statue looks as realistic as possible. It has then been cast in bronze and painted an array of colours reflecting the natural vibrant colours of an undersea coral bed.
Laurence said: “Call of the Sea will mark a turning point for Blackpool which has declared a climate change emergency and send a positive and optimistic message about the town’s progress to maintain its quality sea water and clean beaches.
“She was carefully designed with and for Blackpool, and emerges out of the sea, like a magical and surreal apparition. I hope people will accept her and care for her, for she represents hope, change and kindness.
“She is a motherly figure, caring for local sea life found in the Irish Sea, holding it tight to her heart. But she is also a powerful figure, a fighter with a determined position, moving forward and raising a bright red conch shell as if raising an emergency call, inviting us to follow her path. She is a call for the sea, and for the young and future generations.
“Her body, the sea, and the fauna and flora she is holding are all intertwined into a colourful web of life. Reds and blues, opposite colours, sit together, representing the contradictions she embodies, and the choices we have to make.
“I cannot wait to see her in situ. I hope she will surprise passers-by, and make children dream of a beautiful future.”
Cllr Lynn Williams, Blackpool Council Leader and Cabinet Member
for Tourism and Culture, said: “We are a forward-thinking town and as we recover from the impact of the pandemic, I am pleased we have a statue that local young people wanted to represent their passion for protecting our natural environment.
“I’m sure the statue will prove to be a popular landmark for people to meet at before going and enjoying the many attractions including our wonderful beach and piers where you can get close to nature.
“Our seaside resort is proud to have recently received the Keep Britain Tidy Seaside Awards for the high standards of all four of our beaches and bathing waters so it is very fitting that the statue celebrates our beautiful natural coastline and our award-winning beaches.
“This project is just one element of our wider plans for the town centre regeneration and is part of the ongoing work taking place to create a resilient resort for the 21st century.”
Above: Call of The Sea - Laurence (L) with Charlotte (R)
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BetterBlackpool LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 41
Charter Market is the traditional market of Sandbach held in the town center
every Thursday for as long as 1547 when it was first granted by Queen Elizabeth I. The market provides for an extensive variety of quality products at an affordable price which has attracted generations of traders with a passion for trade and value for money. It is open from 9 AM to 4 PM during summers and 9 AM to 3 PM during winters in the Market Hall and Market Square. also a variety of other activities you could partake in such as canoeing, angling/fishing, orienteering, and birdwatching.
Saxon Crosses, or Sandbach Crosses are two large Anglo-Saxon stone crosse are said to have been built in the 9th century, situated in the lively Market P
Brereton Heath Nature Reserve is a 50-acre silver birch and oakwood land
surrounding a 15-acre lake with a variety of animal habitats and bird species. It also consists of a beautiful wildflower meadow and heathland which is best
enjoyed during the late summer when the flowers are in bloom. The overall landscape provides an aesthetic contrast that is noticed during sunrise and sunset, making it a perfect place for an early morning or evening walk. There are
The Friday Market is held on every Friday indoors in the Market Hall in a compact and efficient manner. A variety of essential goods such as meat, dairy, sweets, and other hand-produced locally grown products are sold from 9 AM to 2 PM.
There is also a Saturday Market that is regularly held on every Saturday of the week, selling things in and around the Market Hall from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Makers Market, held on the second Saturday of each month, is a market for award-winning local food, drink, art & crafts producers, and artisans to showcase their trade. It also offers a variety of children’s activities, live music, and street food Sandbachto add to the already lively atmosphere. The timings of the market happen to be from 10 AM to 2 PM, held at Sandbach Market Square.
By Megha Seth
Sandbach is a town in Cheshire that is particularly popular for being a market town with excellent road connections to its neighbouring townships.
The easy commute is what primarily makes the town ideal for trade and businesses andserves as a commercial hub for most of the marketeers from the adjoining towns. The visitors are often surprised at finding quaint shops and half-timbered Tudorpubs at almost every street corner.
Sandbach, also being one of the four civil parishes of Cheshire, is located in the North West region of the country. It is prominently known for being the original founding homes of the ERF and Foden trucks company, both of which unfortunately do not exist any longer. The town is also famous for its Scheduled Ancient Monuments such as the Sandbach Saxon Crosses that is situated in the Market Square. Other renowned places in Sandbach happen to be Brereton Heath Nature Reserve, Wheelock Farm, and Sandbach Town Hall.
The people of Sandbach are known to have a strong community spirit and the schools in the town have a sound reputation for providing quality education. In fact, Sandbach school is a school in Cheshire that educates children without having to pay any fee.
HISTORY OF SANDBACH
Sandbach has always been a part of one of the four civil parish settlements that included Sandbach itself, Elworth, Ettiley Heath, and Wheelock. Traces of the settlements are found as early as Saxon times when the town was called sand bæce. Sandbach originally derived its name from the Anglo-Saxon origins which referred to the land as “sand stream” or “sand valley”.
Sandbach has a rich history and most parts of its town date back to the 16th century, including a number of halftimbered Grade II listed buildings inside the conservation area. Its official history is recorded from as early as the
Food in Sandbach
“hidden gem” for its small infrastructure and location but masterful service and fantastic food. The most popular dishes here are their sandwiches, cakes, “caesar salad box” and “all day breakfast”
Deciding where to eat in Sandbach is quite a paralyzing task due to its wide range of cuisines and restaurants. The reason for this is the increasing number of regular traders and new faces that come to visit the town. From a quick bite to a five-course meal, the town has food for every kind of pallet and stomach.
Minshull’s Country Kitchen Casa Mia
If you have kids or love animals then Wheelock Farm might sound like a fun place to you. They have a variety of farm animals that can be fed, along with a large
With all these provisions, the town is just one mile from junction 17 of the M6 motorway and only 34 miles away from Manchester City Centre, so, commute from Sandbach would never be a problem. The basic amenities and excellent recreational facilities in Sandbach make the town a truly desirable place to live in.
The Potters Barn is fully operational pottery open to the public to witness the complete process of how pottery is made from start to finish. Here you can choose to partake in any stage of pottery making such as playing with clay, pot painting, or molding the pot on the Potter's Wheel.
If crafting in general really piques your interest, then you may consider taking up their courses on silversmithing, upholstery, stone carving, and longbow-making to name a few.
There is also a showcase of finished items on display in the gift shop to see and purchase or draw inspiration from.
Doomsday book but a significant part of Sandbach’s history took place prior to William the Conqueror. It was as early as the 9th century when local Saxons erected bejeweled Crosses to proclaim the Christian message. This is the same famous Saxon Crosses that is still seen to be massively standing on the cobbles of the Market Square today, that serves as a local landmark in Sandbach. EXPLORING SANDBACH
The most popular areas in Sandbach include Park Lane, Congleton Road, Bradwall Road, Offley Road, Crewe Road, and Middlewich Road, primarily due to the close proximity of the local schools that are situated in and around these areas. Smaller villages on the outskirts of Sandbach (such as Elworth) offer a peaceful and soothing environment that makes them truly desirable places to live in Sandbach.
MARKETPLACES IN SANDBACH
Casa Mia is an authentic Italian restaurant specializing in dishes such as gnocchi, carbonara, ravioli, and pizza. The Italian owner Lello and his staff strive to give the Minshull’s Country Kitchen is rated as the best restaurant in restaurant anSandbach, servingItalian feel by holding special events exploring the different dishes homemade local British cuisines and desserts. The locals refe eachr to thi region ofs place as a Italy has to offer. It is safe to say that they have successfully earned the name “Italy in Sandbach” Phathong If you are looking for something different than the usual fish and chips or rib-eye steak, perhaps Asian food might come to your mind. One of the countries that have mastered TYPES OF MARKETS IN SANDBACHthe art of spices and flavors is Thailand which is why Phathong is probably the bestThere are four kinds of markets found in Sandbach held Thai food restaurant you can find in the country, with the finest Thai food in a on selective days of the week, boasting over 80 stalls: comfortable and fresh ambience and attentive but not intrusive Charter Market, the Friday Market, Makers Market, and Ad-hoc indoor market. Charter Market is the traditional market of Sandbach held in the town center every Thursday for as long as 1547 when it was first granted by Queen Elizabeth I. The market provides for an extensive variety of quality products at an affordable price which has attracted generations of traders with a passion for trade and value for money. It is open from 9 AM to 4 PM during summers and 9 AM to 3 PM during winters in the Market Hall and Market Square.
Being a traditional market town, Sandbach holds a variety of different markets every day of the week. The locals from the three neighbouring parishes of Elworth, Ettiley Heath, and Wheelock along with traders and bargain hunters of all kinds support the community business and their economy.
The Market Square has been the center of attention in Sandbach for several centuries. It is the main marketplace of the town, hosting several markets, fairs, and festivals, including the Charter Market. There are many recorded high-grade buildings and structures, one of the most notable ones being the Saxon Crosses.
Sandbach Market Hall located in the Sandbach Town Hall is another marketplace that is home to over 20 individual merchants with businesses specialising in meat, fish, dairy, sweets, arts and crafts.
The Friday Market is held on every Friday indoors in the Market Hall in a compact and efficient manner. A variety of essential goods such as meat, dairy, sweets, and other hand-produced locally grown products are sold from 9 AM to 2 PM.
There is also a Saturday Market that is regularly held on every Saturday of the week, selling things in and around the Market Hall from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Makers Market, held on the second Saturday of each month, is a market for award-winning local food, drink, art & crafts producers, and artisans to showcase their trade. It also offers a variety of children’s activities, live music, and street food to add to the already lively atmosphere. The timings of the market happen to be from 10 AM to 2 PM, held at Sandbach Market Square.
The fourth type of market is an Ad-hoc indoor market that is held at the Market Hall on selective Sundays. It is generally a market for fairs, crafts, records, and indoor car boots displaying many fancy products by the local sellers.
SIGHTSEEING IN SANDBACH
Brereton Heath Nature Reserve is a 50-acre silver birch and oakwood land surrounding a 15-acre lake with a variety of animal habitats and bird species. It also consists of a beautiful wildflower meadow and heathland which is best enjoyed during the late summer when the flowers are in bloom. The overall landscape provides an aesthetic contrast that is noticed during sunrise and sunset, making it a perfect place for an early morning or evening walk. There are also a variety of other activities you could partake in such as canoeing, angling/fishing, orienteering, and birdwatching.
Saxon Crosses, or Sandbach Crosses are two large Anglo-Saxon stone crosses that are said to have been built in the 9th century, situated in the lively Market Place, and surprisingly still in great condition. The elaborate carvings are of animals and scenes of biblical origin. There are placards around each side of the cross describing and deciphering the carvings. The sheer intelligence and detail put into the building of these crosses to make them last over a thousand years are mind-boggling and definitely worth visiting.
THINGS TO DO IN SANDBACH
Sandbach offers a plethora of activities you can do while on a visit here. Some of them are:
WHEELOCK FARM
If you have kids or love animals then Wheelock Farm might sound like a fun place to you. They have a variety of farm animals that can be fed, along with a large outdoor and soft indoor play area for the kids. There is also a cafe that serves delicious lunch and afternoon tea at a reasonable price.
The Potters Barn is fully operational pottery open to the public to witness the complete process of how pottery is made from start to finish. Here you can choose to partake in any stage of pottery making such as playing with clay, pot painting, or molding the pot on the Potter’s Wheel.
If crafting in general really piques your interest, then you may consider taking up their courses on silversmithing, upholstery, stone carving, and longbow-making to name a few.
There is also a showcase of finished items on display in the gift shop to see and purchase or draw inspiration from.
FOOD IN SANDBACH
Deciding where to eat in Sandbach is quite a paralyzing task due to its wide range of cuisines and restaurants. The reason for this is the increasing number of regular traders and new faces that come to visit the town. From a quick bite to a five-course meal, the town has food for every kind of pallet and stomach.
MINSHULL’S COUNTRY KITCHEN
Minshull’s Country Kitchen is rated as the best restaurant in Sandbach, serving homemade local British cuisines and desserts. The locals refer to this place as a “hidden gem” for its small infrastructure and location but masterful service and fantastic food. The most popular dishes here are their sandwiches, cakes, “caesar salad box” and “all day breakfast”
CASA MIA
Casa Mia is an authentic Italian restaurant specializing in dishes such as gnocchi, carbonara, ravioli, and pizza. The Italian owner Lello and his staff strive to give the restaurant an Italian feel by holding special events exploring the different dishes each region of Italy has to offer. It is safe to say that they have successfully earned the name “Italy in Sandbach”
PHATHONG
If you are looking for something different than the usual fish and chips or rib-eye steak, perhaps Asian food might come to your mind. One of the countries that have mastered the art of spices and flavors is Thailand which is why Phathong is probably the best Thai food restaurant you can find in the country, with the finest Thai food in a comfortable and fresh ambience and attentive but not intrusive service. The best dishes served are “Po Pia Tod” (Thai Spring Rolls) and “Geang Panang Gai” (Thai coconut milk dry chicken curry).
With all these provisions, the town is just one mile from junction 17 of the M6 motorway and only 34 miles away from Manchester City Centre, so, commute from Sandbach would never be a problem. The basic amenities and excellent recreational facilities in Sandbach make the town a truly desirable place to live in.
A catch up with
Peter Rutt
Our monthly column by Peter Rutt.
Part 3 of 3 This is the final part of the UFO phenomenon sweeping the globe and the hotspot of Lancashire. I mentioned about ley lines and there are the converging ones in the ground and water and another set located in the sky. When I wrote that I was aware of it existing but had not physically seen it. That was until now.
I was driving southbound on the M61. It was early in the morning and traffic was extremely light. The weather was partly cloudy and not raining. I guess that is a story in itself about not raining. Something caught my eye to the left against the blanket of darkness. And as I looked up into the sky I could clearly see a huge curved mesh or frame going as far as the eye could see. The lines seemed to cross forming triangles and it was coloured black. I could see it for about five to ten seconds and wondered if others had seen it too, but I am yet to find out. Ah, but did you see it in your rear view mirror I hear you say? Yes.
Now the interview with A.I alien. After I finished communicating with this being I studiously wrote down everything while it was fresh in my mind. I went back to read it a week or two later and it looked like a piece of science fiction. Almost as though someone else wrote it. The information was startling. So much so I think it wise not to divulge major pieces. We covered Covid-19, before and during the dinosaur era, the reason beings are here, technology, geometry and other alien races and worlds.
I was shown a planet called Naburu. While we slowly travelled, the inhabitants I saw appeared human. I recognised this one man who was waiting on a white station terminal to board a public vehicle. He was very famous on Earth until his death. But I saw him on Naburu very much alive. I was told this happens from time to time to fulfil the master plan. Where there is a need to correct something in order the paths we all live eventually lead to a desired outcome.
Part 1 of 3. Regular readers will know I love weird and wacky stories, even if they are not true. So imagine my pleasure when I came across the sensation of alleged time slips in Liverpool.
Various people claim they slipped back in time, usually to the 1950’s or 1960’s. One claimed he slipped back to early 1900’s. He said as he walked down Bold Street the sky went very dark and what had been that year in the decade of the 1990’s changed to early 1900’s judging by the fashion he spied. Also the shops were old fashioned. Gone were the modern day stores as were modern day cars, replaced by horse drawn carriages. There was air there was sound and if he felt more confident he would have interacted with a person. Imagine whipping out your smartphone to show someone from the early 1900’s! Or go a step further and take photos or film what you see. What would your phone record? His path extended there. He has no memory or awareness of what he did and how he died. I know I’m weird but that beggars belief! To get a There is the story of a man who walked near to Bold Street and he alleges as he turned a corner, was faced with a dead end. An old wall that wasn’t there the previous day had suddenly appeared. Like the previous man he said the sky became suddenly rough idea how this works, watch the fictional movie called The Adjustment Bureau starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. There is an element of truth in there. If you think this is strange, be thankful the other info was darker prior to this obstacle being there. not included. He even touched the construction and You may think I made all this up it was solid. Confused, he headed back but my imagination could never have the way he came. managed to turn this into a fictional
Most of the stories centre on a piece of work. You are entitled to period of 1993-1997 apart from the any opinion you wish to make. But one in the next paragraph. They may from what I saw and felt I have every well be Urban Tales and tall ones at hope for our future as a species. Our that. But it is thought provoking. But children are that future and they will there are three particular stories I will master this ultimate destiny which is centre on. positive and bright, while the ground
This one allegedly occurred in 2006 work is laid here very soon. Positive when a lad called Sean admitted he changes are coming and hopefully shoplifted an item and ran out of the these chariots of the Gods will return shop pursued by a Security Guard. As en masse one day in the near future. If Sean got to a corner (and the sky went they do, it will mean a stellar upgrade dark) he turned and carried on running in our lives. but when he looked back he noticed his pursuer was nowhere to be seen. Relieved, he stopped and took in his surroundings. Everybody was wearing clothes from the 1960’s and cars were old fashioned from this era. Starting to worry he brought out his modern mobile phone, but it displayed no signal. As he walked back past the store he robbed he noticed it wasn’t the one he entered earlier. As he looked ahead he could see the modern world. When he took a look behind him it was still the 1960’s. Frightened by his experience he caught a (modern) bus to get away. The Security Guard that chased him asserted that he was only a few paces behind the thief but as he got to that corner, the lad had vanished. He was bemused by this. The other two stories appear in May’s edition and a plausible answer to the conundrum. But going back to an earlier point, which is of interaction, I pondered on this. If you talk to someone from a long ago era and influence them to take a different course to one they historically did take, would that have ramifications on the here and now? Also if you collect an item from the 1950’s, does it travel with you back to the present day?
THE ‘DOG-MAN’ OF FRANCE
A MODERN DAY REPORT OF A LOUP-GAROU
Iwas born, raised and still live in a small town in Lancashire called Salford, home of the Manchester ship canal, cobbled streets and L.S. Lowry the famed artist. Back in 1982 when I first started to collect and share stories that were centred around strange Creatures or unexplained events, I would be contacted by people from my local area. I have shared some of those stories and experiences with you already in previous issues. These days I receive personal reports globally, I map these reports and share them on an interactive map. I have logged reports from Skegness to San Francisco, Cannock chase to Canada and some of my favourite stories are from Europe.
Many of you will know the tale of the Beast of Gévaudan,a terrifying werewolf-like creature sometimes known as the loup-garou. The loupgarou is one of the historical names associated with a man-eating animal or animals which terrorised the former province of Gévaudan, in the Margeride Mountains of south-central France between 1764 and 1767. Described as a snouted Wolf that stood upright like a man, the fearsome creature was known far and wide.
Modern day reports of Werewolves in France are not common but there are some out there. I received an email from a lady in France who wanted to share her experience with what she described as a ‘Dog-man’
“Sorry for my poor English. I am French and English is my second language. I would like to share what happened to me in mid-April of 2018. It was the end of the afternoon and the light was good. I had decided to take a little walk into the forest with a friend of mine and my little dog Léo. We chose a place where I parked my car and we began to walk in. It didn’t take long before I began to feel nervous. As we were walking we heard a horrible noise, it sounded like Doves, but they were not singing, it sounded like they were screaming loudly in fear or as a warning. It was the first time I have heard this noise. I laughed and said to my friend, “I feel like they don’t want us in the forest for some reason” We pushed on and the path was wide and we walked on further. Suddenly I noticed something dark in colour moving down the track to the side of us. I realized it was an animal and I thought it was a large dog. The color was very black. I was upset, this startled and scared me and I told my friend I’d rather go back to the car. I didn’t want my little dog to cross what I thought was a big dog off the leash. There have been some awful attacks in France by packs of dogs on humans, cattle and smaller animals.
Luckily, I had my little dog on his leash. I started to turn around and return to the car, but my friend stayed and watched to see if she could place the rogue dog without an owner. I was walking for a few minutes when I heard my friend screaming “Evelyne, run! Run!”. Without looking back, I accelerated my pace and arrived at the car out of breath. I put Léo, my little dog, into the car. Before I got in the car I looked down the aisle (woodland path) and I saw to my horror a deep black coloured Creature impossible to describe walking into the forest away from us. I was so surprised and shocked, I couldn’t believe it. I could only see the top part of the animal from the shoulders up. My friend who joined me at the car explained to me what she saw,”this creature moved by “slipping” at high speed along the alley, then It seemed to get Its momentum and straightened up onto Its hind legs. My friend told me, and this is what I can confirm, that the creature was over two metres tall. It was slipping diagonally on its right foot then on its left before standing up on Its “legs”. (I think Evy is describing a skating or sliding motion) We couldn’t see Its eyes at first. The Creature stopped suddenly when It saw my friend. They looked at each other for a few seconds, then the Creature decided to turn away from us and go off into the woods. My friend told me It had what looked like a dog’s head. Its ears were down. This Creature had a muscular body (thick torso and thighs) and it was covered with deep black hairs. We were very shocked and I thought about the event even into the next week.
I asked my friend to come back to the forest with me and see if there was a simple explanation to all this but we didn’t notice anything strange or out of place that would answer this puzzle on our second visit. And then I told my friend, we should try to get back to this place just before nightfall, so we did this a few months ago. It’s strange, you see, because, when we got out of the car on the evening visit we immédiatly felt something was wrong. The atmosphere this time was very different. There was complete silence this time, no bird or animal noises. We began to walk in and after a few minutes I felt anxious again. I decided to go back and my friend tried to push on into the trees alone but she also came back running after a short time. The creature was there again. It was standing in the woods, looking at us. I had not seen the creature this time. We would like to be courageous enough to take a picture of the creature to prove to people what we saw. I know that we are not the only ones to have seen this ‘dog-man ‘ (and we are sure that is what we saw). We learned that someone else saw It as well a few days later. So I tell my friends to be careful if they decide to go into any forest especially if this forest is abnormally silent”
As I do with everyone who comes forward I asked Evy if she had ever experienced anything else unusual or unexplained either in this area or at another point in time.
“My first encounter with what I think was a ‘dog-man’ took place 10 years ago in a forest located in the East of France. I must first of all say that I have always loved nature. As a child until I was a teenager. I used to get up early in the morning before everyone else around 6am. I went outside in muffled steps to avoid waking my parents and my brothers. I went for a walk every morning in the wilderness for two hours before returning to have breakfast and go to school. So I was used to my solitary walks for a long time. Later, I had to give up this habit because I had to leave to continue my studies as I was a boarder in a high school.
The years have passed. In 2009, as in previous years, I used to go to a forest near Ornans to look for mushrooms. I could go in quite far without ever feeling the least bit of concern. It is a beautiful coniferous forest and a place I loved to visit. That week, it was August but this visit felt different to the other times I had been here. I was nervous without understanding why, my senses were on alert. The weather was beautiful but something bothered me without me being able to explain it to myself. Several times, I rushed to pick up my mushrooms and I quickly went out of the wood to jump into my car and leave quickly. On the way back, I said to myself “what’s wrong with you?” But hey, I forgot and came back anyway the next day. I finally understood the reason for my concern. After picking up some mushrooms, I got up and understood what was bothering me: I realised the woods had no sound, there was total silence. I listened and felt that my heart was beating hard. Once again, I left the forest quickly.
Then one morning, I arrived around 7:30am. It’s the best time to go mushroom picking before other people get there and find the best mushrooms before me. I embarked on a trail that I had not explored yet. I noticed a dark mass in the middle of the path about 60 meters away but I could not tell what it was. I thought it was a tree stump. I started walking while looking at the floor. I picked up some mushrooms. And I kept going, until I got up and looked in front of me. I tried to understand what I saw. It was not a tree stump. It was obviously an animal curled up on itself, a muzzle resting on the chest. The posture was very strange. It looked like someone was crouching. He slept with his muzzle on his chest. His coat was black gray like that of a boar but darker and above all, it was not a wild boar. I know what a boar looks like, my companion being a hunter.
My heart started beating like crazy and resounded in my ears. I was afraid he would hear it. I started to recoil but what was incredible was the panic I felt. How to explain that in words? A visceral fear that I had never felt in my life. I ended up spinning and running out of the woods without daring to return. I got in the car and pressed the accelerator.
Back home, not daring to tell my companion the fear I had just had, I simply asked him if he had seen a boar sleeping sitting upright. Of course he laughed in my face. During the day, I decided to return to the scene and I cautiously advanced by car up the trail. I leaned over to see if I could spot the ‘stump’. The ‘stump’ was gone. From that day, I did not dare to go back deep into the forest and if I went back to pick mushrooms, it was just a few meters from the car.
I have never been able to return to the forest until April when I made the observation of the Creature I saw with my friend.
As far as the ‘dogman’ is concerned, it’s a very real creature. This story disturbs me. I really want to know more but I’m scared to go back. Yet at no time did he show any aggression towards us. He could have pounced on us without a problem if he wanted to. He was moving fast with long strides and covering ground quickly. I know that I will return to this forest despite my fear, but I will not go alone. My friend went back to her home in the north of France. When she was face to face with this creature, a small inner voice pushed her to go with It into the woods, but thankfully her survival instinct took over and she refused. My friend told me she remembered a past life experience where she was hunted in the forest by humans. She had two wolves that accompanied her, a white one and a black one that protected her. When she was captured as a witch the people killed the wolf in front of her cruelly. - Evy.”
Evy described in depth to me what the Creatures she saw looked like. They were both stockily built with thick muscles. Their coats were dark, almost black in colour. The head and snouts were like a German Shepard Dogs and the ears were placed on top of their heads like a Wolf. They moved down on four legs and also raised on two like a human. They had paws not hands and feet. This description fits that of the Loup-garou of old.
Is he still out there in the wilds of France, seldom seen? Next month I will bring you a very similar story from the UK.
...Until next time, Deborah
Have you experienced anything strange in your area? If so please get in touch via our new website: debhatswell.wordpress.com
By Ken Harcombe - Volunteer Press Officer, Fleetwood RNLI
Nobody really knows how many volunteers there are giving their time to the RNLI.
We do know that there are over 5,600 volunteer operational crew, over 3,500 volunteer shore crew and 140 volunteer lifeguards. We have also estimated there are over 23,000 volunteer community fundraisers. But there are thousands more dedicated volunteers, who raise awareness, give safety advice, help in the offices, museums, shops and visitor centres. Whatever their role within the charitable organisation, they are all dedicated and committed to helping save lives at sea. But there are many who are also inspirational. Here in Lancashire, we can focus on two. First, we have Jonathan Davies, who’s early into his career with the RNLI as volunteer crew at Fleetwood. Then we have the late Harry Roberts, of Morecambe RNLI, who sadly passed away just recently. Harry gave 35 years of voluntary service to the charity, but left a legacy that will be remembered by the organisation for years to come. The family of the young Fleetwood born Jonathan Davies had a long affiliation with the sea. Indeed, his Great Grandfather was Skipper on the trawler named ‘Cevic’, which is now seen on every packet of Fleetwood’s world famous ‘Fisherman’s Friend’ lozenge. But even his Great Grandfather couldn’t have predicted that Jonathan would end up as First Officer on Cunard’s newest cruise ship ‘Queen Elizabeth’. As if traveling the globe on one of the world’s most prestigious cruise liners wasn’t enough, on his return to his home in Fleetwood, he turns on his RNLI pager and is ready to help save lives at sea. But how did Jonathan get to this enviable position?
Above: Young Jonathan When Jonathan was growing up, he knew all about the Pandoro boats which frequented Fleetwood at the time and had ambitions to be a Captain of one of these ferries. So, it was no surprise when he attended Fleetwood Nautical College in 2010. He soon qualified as Officer of the Watch, before further studies took him to Chief Mate certificate in 2016 and this year, he passed his Master Mariner certification. Jonathan’s links with the Nautical College continue to this day, as he is now a Lecturer in Maritime Studies. Jonathan’s first ship posting however, gave little evidence as to where he’d end up! He joined the Clyde Fisher, a 127-metre-long tanker on the Manchester Ship Canal, its destination, Holland. Then in 2014 Jonathan joined Carnival UK, a cruise ship company and operator behind P&O and Cunard cruise ships. In the midst of the pandemic, he joined Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth in 2020 and has been sailing in the rank of First Officer. So, how did Jonathan become interested in the RNLI? He often watched the local lifeboat launching when on family visits to the beach, but in 2009, he and his family attended the local lifeboat station’s
Above: Jonathan’s current posting, Cunard’s ‘Queen Elizabeth’
Above: Jonathan as Second Officer
150th Anniversary celebrations. The attraction to join was too strong to resist and at 17 he became a volunteer with the RNLI in Fleetwood. Jonathan is now a qualified Navigator on the all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, Kenneth James Pierpoint and ironically, whilst qualified to helm the 294-metre-long Queen Elizabeth, he is still in training to helm the Fleetwood RNLI’s 5 metre long in-shore lifeboat, Harbet. Jonathan said “Being in the RNLI is about more than just saving lives at sea. The term Lifeboat Family is often used at stations to describe the relationship between crew members. The RNLI is not just a part of my life when the pager goes off, but a cornerstone to the life that I have built since joining
the crew. Fundraising and social events are equally as important in forming a successful crew as the exercises and services that we undertake.” Jonathan remembers his first callout to a small boat with two people onboard, which had broken down and was drifting out to sea. He also recalls Ernie, the horse stuck in mud at Knott End and Poppy the dog, which had been swept out two miles by the strong tide and current. Both had favourable outcomes. But it wasn’t all animal rescues. He also remembers the family of four, cut off by the tide and by the time the in-shore lifeboat reached them, the children were being held out of the water by their parents. Definitely four lives saved that day! Jonathan’s ambitions are still strong, not least with his colleagues in the RNLI, where he hopes to one day be Coxswain of the town’s lifeboat. Jonathan’s achievements are testament to his hard work, commitment and dedication to his ambitions and serve as an inspiration to other young people, looking for a real challenge. But before Jonathan was even born, Harry Roberts was a volunteer with Morecambe RNLI. He joined the RNLI in 1986 and quickly worked his way through the ranks to become Senior Helmsman.
Above: Harry, with daughter Amy Above: Harry, receiving a Certificate of Service from Mark Dowie, CEO, RNLI
Above: Harry Roberts, MBE Above: Harry Roberts, MBE
However, things became really interesting in 2002, as Harry became a pioneer within the RNLI, when he became involved in the initial building of the Griffon in-shore hovercraft, a first for the charity. He went on to become the first Hovercraft Commander for the RNLI, before becoming Senior Hovercraft Commander a few years later. In 2004, Harry was Commander of the hovercraft the night of the cockling tragedy and was on service for 22 hours. He was awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2008 for services to maritime safety. In 2018, Harry became Deputy Launch Authority, retiring from his Commander and Station Mechanic roles, which saw him looking after the D Class inshore lifeboat and the Hurley Flyer, the pioneering hovercraft at Morecambe.
Harry was a driving force at Morecambe RNLI and will obviously be missed, following his passing in April. But his legacy continues in the form of his daughter, Amy. Amy joined the crew for 10 years, before stepping down from the operations side after moving away from Morecambe for employment reasons. Despite no longer living in Morecambe, Amy still supports by volunteering as Press Officer at the lifeboat station. Harry’s family said “We are all very proud of what Harry achieved. People always called him a hero, which he never saw himself as. But we all agree. He was a hero. Our hero.” Let’s hope future volunteers for the RNLI can look at Jonathan and Harry and draw their own inspiration from them. Of course, Jonathan and Harry both relied on the incredible support they receive from their local communities and the general public. The donations and legacies the RNLI rely on each year help keep 238 lifeboat stations operational and 248 beaches patrolled. This October, the RNLI will be launching their annual fish ‘n’ chip fundraiser and are looking for people to ‘host’ suppers to raise funds. Obviously, the hope is that current restrictions are lifted and family and friends can meet, eat and fundraise on the evening. There is a fundraising guide, full of tips and tricks to make your event successful, as well as quizzes and colouring sheets for children to help keep the RNLI’s younger supporters entertained.
Just go to https://rnli.org.uk/fish-supper for further information.
It’s a great excuse to meet family and friends over Britain’s favourite tea and help save lives at sea! There are also a number of volunteering opportunities available across the RNLI. Some supporters think that you can only volunteer as crew and aren’t aware of ‘land-based’ roles that are essential to saving lives at sea. To find out more on how you can support the charity visit
https://rnli.org.uk/support-us
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT FLEETWOOD RNLI GO TO: www.fleetwoodlifeboat.org.uk
TO DONATE OR SUPPORT THE RNLI GO TO: https://rnli.org.uk/support-us
