A Resident With Passion for Grane
Why am I so passionate about Grane, an area in which my ancestors have lived since the 1600’s, and where I have lived for almost 50 years in the house built by members of my family in 1914.
My roots are in Grane, I was Christened at St Stephen’s church and both my parents were Graners. My mother was born in 1917 at the Holden Arms where she lived with her family and grandmother, who was the licensee. My father was born at Jacky Barn Farm, Heap Clough in 1916. Today only the tree, which no doubt he climbed as a boy, remains on the site as a remnant of a bygone era.
My paternal great grandfather farmed at Phineas Fold, close to the site of the old Grane church, and was amongst those who vacated their properties when the reservoirs were built. My maternal grandfather was a butcher whose shop was in Grane. He attended St Stephen’s church with his family, and was a member of the committee that organised its relocation to its current position opposite Haslingden Cemetery, following the depopulation of Grane Village.
Richard Lund, a blacksmith aged 22, and brother to my great, great grandmother, was one of five men shot and killed at Chatterton during the Loom Breakers Riots in 1826. I believe he must have been driven to protest through starvation and despair, as less than two weeks following his death his baby daughter followed him to the grave.
I suppose there must be something in my DNA and heritage that triggers my need to protest and to seek justice. Perhaps family traits have influenced why I felt compelled to act in 1991 when it was discovered the Council was proposing to build on the green fields of Grane. This mobilised residents to object to a threat of compulsory purchase of the land to enable development, as it would affect a small holding on the site and the gardens of neighbouring properties.
And so the Save Grane campaign was launched. It took a number of years before Councillors and a Government Inspector overturned the proposal. Save Grane then became Grane Residents’ Association, which is now a constituted body.
GRAss is not just a protest group, it is an Association of like minded individuals who are dedicated to making a difference to the lives of those living in the local community. We have undertaken many environmental improvements to the area, including planting daffodils along Grane and Holcombe Roads and trees both at Mary’s Wood and Calf Hey, where we have also installed benches around the reservoirs. In partnership with Groundwork Rossendale we undertook an ambitious project to install an off road footpath from Heap Clough to Clough Head. A recent fund raiser has provided a defibrillator at the Holden Arms, not only for the benefit of local residents, but also for walkers and motorists visiting the area who may find themselves in an emergency situation.
My involvement with Haslingden Cemetery started when a member of GRAss discovered caged bin wagons were to be relocated from their base at the Whittaker to the Cemetery compound. Following public uproar and yet another protest, this proposal was reversed. Out of adversity sprang the Friends of Haslingden Cemetery. I am one of a growing number of volunteers who meet monthly to ensure the Cemetery remains well kept and a peaceful place for contemplation. VIsitors are encouraged to join volunteers during their morning break for refreshments and a chat, an initiative which is proving popular.
My connection with Holden Hall Cemetery, for that is its correct title, is not only because many of my ancestors are buried there. My great uncle, Councillor James Maxwell, a former member of the Cemetery and Parks Committee, was presented with an enamelled silver key inscribed, “Presented to Councillor Maxwell on the occasion of the opening of the Cemetery Chapels, Haslingden April 30 1902. This is a memento which I treasure.
Margaret Murray