The vernacular architecture of Winewall

Winewall is a small settlement near Colne with a fine collection of interesting old houses to see. We met at Winewall Bridge and walked uphill to the village. Detailed descriptions of the properties we inspected are given by Sarah Pearson in her book Rural houses of the Lancashire Pennines (1985) and by Pevsner and co-authors. The principal 17th century houses are Hill Top Farm, Winewall Farm with a remarkable porch dated 1690, and Winewall House with Spengarth Cottage. The Inghamite Chapel of 1752 and its graveyard are of note and there is a corn-drying kiln c.1700 at the top of the village. The rear of Winewall Farm is astonishing and it is worth visiting Winewall just to see its unique porch. The house also boasts a circular sex-foil window. The finely-styled doorways, the mullioned windows, the watershot masonry, the variable layouts of many other buildings all are part of the process of education of visitors with respect to house histories.

Each house had something to tell about its history and modification over the years. Kevin pointed out to us features of interest to help us understand the life of each of these places, not least the several doorway date stones with initials, which may date a house and the builder, or perhaps some later addition or change to the structure. In addition, the field walls bordering the settlement are also remarkable for their style using vertical slabs and are probably ancient. The corn-drying kiln has an entrance and exit at opposite ends with air through-flow for drying.

Kevin made the evening most enjoyable and profitable and deserves many thanks for organizing this event; we went home happy in the pleasant late evening sunshine.
             M.J.S.