House_at_Black_Moss
Today has been quite hectic following the discovery of a 17th century house buried under a mound at Lower Black Moss reservoir, Barley in the heart of Pendle Witch country. There was also the skeleton of a cat in the building. People are believing that this could be the centuries lost Malkin Tower, home of Demdike an infamous Lancashire Witch.
I have had a few media interviews by telephone where I explained to such as The Daily Mail, Irish Radio, Reuters and a Toronto Daily newspaper, that the cat, if buried within the fabric of the building, would not have been placed there by a witch as it was to ward off evil spirits!!
Barley village is not without other very old houses. One example of similar age near the reservoir is Darney’s cottage, this was saved in recent years from from falling into further disrepair and is now inhabited.
Demdike probably lived in a hovel, not even stone built, and survived by begging with other members of her family. The site of Malkin Tower isn’t known, differing views place it in Blacko, Newchurch, Sabden amongst others within the Pendle Forest area.
The exact location of the home of Chattox is also unknown, but believed to have been near Pendle Hall near the banks of Pendle Water.
Lower Black Moss reservoir was constructed in 1903; are people thinking that the house wouldn’t have been known to have had such an infamous resident only a hundred or so years ago????? (see more)
A memorial statue commemorating “Pendle Witch” Alice Nutter, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Lancashire Witch Trials, is looking to attract the interest of national and international artists.
The outdoor sculpture is being commissioned by Roughlee Parish Council
The idea was thought up by Coun. James Starkie who put forward the proposal to Pendle Council’s Barrowford and Western Parishes Committee, and sees Pendle Leisure Trust and the Forest of Bowland assisting on the commissioning panel.
Coun. Starkie said: “The vision is to create a lasting memorial for a past resident of our village. I’d been thinking about it for the last two years but started working on the proposal around three months ago.
Coun. Starkie said he was keen to raise awareness of the real story of Alice, who, in 1612, was imprisoned in Lancaster Castle on charges of witchcraft.
She had been seen at Malkin Tower, Blacko, on Good Friday in what was deemed a witch’s coven, and later hanged… (see more)
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