Had a walk up to Law Stand this aft....

And the old St. Peter's church yard. Just me and the Jack Russell, not another soul around except the horses. One of my favourite places in the world, so many memories up there. Just sat there a while in the shade of that lovely pair of Royal Reds, amongst the old folk of Hoyland long gone. Reading the stones and watching time tick by. Beautiful young chestnut mare in the field below. A right stunner. Lovely day, caught the sun a bit. Then rode the bus to Wentworth, had a wander and a few pints of ale. Smashing.



Back to London Thursday, tut.

 

There's a few of us old g1ts that go walking every Tuesday, usually over the ladybower, hope , bamford area but 2 or 3 times a year we do what is called the monument walk, we set of from the Elsecar heritage center and basically walk round the Wentworth Estate taking in the needle eye, hoober stand, boy on a dolphin, the mausoleum, kepples column, etc. We do it at different times of the year and the area is stunning, the walk is only a steady 11 miles or so, one of the easiest we do, but one of the most enjoyable. One of the guys, Joe, is an expert on the Wentworth estate, he has done a lot of research on the subject and written about it, (some of it was " borrowed " by her that wrote Black Diamonds " ) and it adds to the walk listening to him talking about it. As you say Paul, a stunning part of area.

 

When I'm back home, I'm usually out on similar walks just me and the dog, but I'd very much like to join your merry band on the estate walk and Ladybower sometime too.. If that's ok, let me know when you next plan a walk. I'm not really a serious walker, I just wander off like I always have for hours on end, but I can still keep up.

I usually walk from my Mam's in Hoyland over Jump fields, up the side of the canal at Elsecar, through the woods to Needles eye, then Hoober. I've circled the estate but not as far as Keppel's. I need to get to know the footpaths better. I've gone another route past the beam engine and Lion's lodge then up Coley lane, but it's too much road. I've headed down passed the big house to the ponds many a time, but then usually follow the road back past the mausoleum instead of heading south to Scholes.

Hoyland has been spoiled to a great degree, but I still love Wentworth and have known it well since childhood. I wouldn't call myself an expert but I've read a lot and listened intently to the old uns like Mr. Roy Young, the old headmaster from Wentworth School and the local historian. His books are great, very simply written but full of history and insight.

I collect old postcards of Wentworth and all the areas in between as far as the 'other house' at Stainborough, I have over 400 and have just conserved and re-organised them all (a busman's holiday for me) and plan to let them live at Hoyland Library for a while so people can see them. There are a few other collectors around, one in Wentworth who claims to be the chief advisor on Black Diamonds but he's a bit hot air that one.

I've been plotting a couple more walks. One going from Law Stand down Stead lane and Skiers spring, over Sheffield road, up Black Lane to the Old Hall (or what's left of it) then off to Wortley for an explore and maybe a pint, then up to Pilley dropping down through Rockley then up through Stainborough park to the other house.

 

Interesting, never heard it called 'Law Stand' before, I always thought it was 'Low Stand'.

 

The next time we do the walk I will PM you, if I can get Joe along that would be a bonus, he's been around the country following leads on the family and is very knowledgeable. As I said this walk is the easiest we do especialy in summer but some of the winter walks we do, Saddleworth Moor for example are hard and bordering on lunacy, luckily most of the others are experienced walkers of many years and know what they are doing, I hope!!, some of the scenery is breath taking and in winter some of it so powerfully bleak it is awe inspiring. We live in one of the most beautifully diverse area's of the country and since retiring and meeting the lunatics I walk with, it's been a privelidge to explore these places.

 

The area is known as both. Simply, Law is the original Saxon word for the area and Lowe is the later Norman translation. Either is okay, but when it comes to the folly, I'm quite adamant it should be referred to as Law Stand.

It was built by the Marquess of Rockingham in 1750, marking the north westerly boundary of the Wentworth estate and serving as an outpost, hunting lodge etc. It was obviously flagging off the new Earl of Strafford (2nd creation) at the other house at Stainborough, as it is clearly visible on the horizon. I have a theory it was built using stone from Tankersley Old Hall about a mile away, which was already falling down by this time. In his end of year memoir of 1750, Rockingham wrote, "this year I built a tower at Hoyland Law". It was his tower, so that will do for me. I also have 5 old postcards of the landmark and each one is 'Law'.

Hoyland Lowe Stand Trust obviously call it Lowe, but they know very little about anything. They think raffling a tin of beans will help restore the old building.

 

That would be brilliant, thanks. I need to build up to the Saddleworth moor jaunt, but maybe in time.

 

Most excellent erudition, thank you.

 

I had a walk down stead lane a few weeks ago, the stretch from Rooks farm down to skiers spring is no longer a lane, in fact in some places it isn't even a path, the trees and stream have taken over and it's bit of a scramble to get through.

 

The last time I walked in the cemetery , 25 yrs ago maybe ex red Leslie lea was grave digging with his Barnsley council colleague .Nice chap les .

 

Looks good Mr C. Where is this Law/lowe stand? I might take a look. And any idea where and what the boy on a dolphin is?

 

Law Stand is up the top of Hoyland near Kirk Balk school and St Peters church. It overlooks the field from Kes, where he flew the bird. Further on is Birdwell Wuz etc. It is the highest point in the country from the east coast until you hit the foothills to the Penines. It can be seen from miles around, as far away as Monk Bretton said Jack Tatty once, if you know what you are looking for. It's in a semi ruined state, there is a preservation trust but as I said earlier, it's been 6 or 7 years and the building is still at risk.

I haven't heard that for years - Boy on a dolphin is the marble statue in the Ionic Temple on the terrace of the big house at Wentworth. It can be seen from the fields past the garden centre and Doric lodge up Hague lane. I think it's by Nollekens, but I don't have my books with me so can't check. It is actually Hercules Slaying a Dragon, boy on a dolphin is just the affectionate local name for it.

 

Boy on a Dolphin is also the name of a local band that takes their name from this monument.

 

Paul, I don't know if these attachments have worked, if they have these are a few photo's that show what I have to endure at the hands of the Last of the Summer Wine crew. I'm the slim good looking lad in the BFC shirt by the way.

 

I can see me needing some new boots!!

 

Boots?? is that a London term? we wear booits, freshly dubbined and re-segged for every trip.