Hest Bank camp school

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:15 pm

Does anyone know exactly where Hest Bank camp school was ?
I know it was near Morecambe, and there is a bit actually called Hest Bank, but what was location, and what is it now?

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:23 pm

Walk along from the hest bank pub along the canal...turn left down a gorse bush lane which was there fifty years ago and still is,down to the main morceambe/carnforth road turn left and it's there. Houses now,I always remembered that lane. Happy days!

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:25 pm

Remember the walk to Elephant rock ?

Rats_cle · Post by **Rats_cle** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:25 pm

It was actually in Bolton-le Sands. It now has a very nice housing estate on the site. Spent two trips there in the early sixties. Good memories.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:30 pm

Jumbo Rock in my day Funky, but you're probably right.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:30 pm

cheers Tim, well remembered.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:36 pm

Funkydrummer wrote:Remember the walk to Elephant rock ?

Yep..on the beach

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:42 pm

tim_noone wrote:Yep..on the beach

That's the one. Was it not close by a railway crossing ? Probably still is ! !

I seem to remember going down there to watch the Flying Scotsman go through.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:49 pm

Funkydrummer wrote:That's the one. Was it not close by a railway crossing ? Probably still is ! !

I seem to remember going down there to watch the Flying Scotsman go through.

Yes,your memories up to speed. And mallard or Scotsman you could be right .the canalaside houses are in a stunning location to.and when there we go to the hest bank pub,great food and further on the packet boat pub.excellent chippy nearby! I might go this weekend now we've discussed.

Rats_cle · Post by **Rats_cle** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:51 pm

I also remember it as Jumbo Rock, we all scratched our names on it with sharp pebbles. (This is frightening, I Remember this but I can't remember what I had for breakfast)

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:52 pm

have all the sports field areas gone ? I assume it will all be houses now.

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:59 pm

You've all got me doubting myself now - was it Elephant Rock, or Jumbo Rock ?

Oh, the pain.

Rats_cle · Post by **Rats_cle** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:03 pm

I can recommend a visit, park at Bolton-le-sands and walk along the canal towards Carnforth, some amazing properties to view.

Oh yes, and don't forget to write your name on Jumbo Rock ( felt tip markers weren't invented in the early sixties.)

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:04 pm

Rats_cle wrote:I also remember it as Jumbo Rock, we all scratched our names on it with sharp pebbles. (This is frightening, I Remember this but I can't remember what I had for breakfast)

my thoughts exactly!!!

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:11 pm

is there any place that is accessible to see where it all was, or is it just streets and new build housing.

Rats_cle · Post by **Rats_cle** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:34 pm

Wile E Coyote wrote:is there any place that is accessible to see where it all was, or is it just streets and new build housing.

Not sure of the location at present, but if you can access the canal at Bolton -le-sands and find the swivell bridge, look out towards the coast and the site of the camp school is directly in front of you, slightly left.

ashtonlongsider · Post by **ashtonlongsider** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:37 pm

Sorry,I couldn't tell you where the boot camp was. However I have fond memories of train spotting at Hest Bank on the railway bridge back in the early '60's when I lived in Morecambe.

Terrier · Post by **Terrier** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:02 pm

Early morning run on canal past china man's house,or was it just the hargher clough lot that called it china man's house?

NL Claret · Post by **NL Claret** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:33 pm

tim_noone wrote:Yes,your memories up to speed. And mallard or Scotsman you could be right .the canalaside houses are in a stunning location to.and when there we go to the hest bank pub,great food and further on the packet boat pub.excellent chippy nearby! I might go this weekend now we've discussed.

Relatively new to the area (static near there), some of the canal side houses and gardens are stunning, the railway line is still there however the Packet Bridge pub in Bolton le Sands is no more. I believe the Packet Bridge chippy is popular and the butchers just down the road is no frills but top notch and value.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:42 pm

Wile E Coyote wrote:is there any place that is accessible to see where it all was, or is it just streets and new build housing.

As post 2 just gaze dream and remember.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:52 pm

You can still park over the level crossing at Hest Bank and the walk up the coast is lovely.

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:03 pm

tim_noone wrote:Yes,your memories up to speed. And mallard or Scotsman you could be right .the canalaside houses are in a stunning location to.and when there we go to the hest bank pub,great food and further on the packet boat pub.excellent chippy nearby! I might go this weekend now we've discussed.

The Flying Scotsman was an East Coast line train. Flying Scotsman (the engine) and mallard would not have been seen at Hest Bank at that time as they were designed for running on the straighter and flatter East Coast route. Britannias, Royal Scots, Patriots, Jubilees and Black 5s would pull most passenger and express freight trains with Black 5s, 8Fs and 9Fs pulling most standard or bulk freight trains with the occasional diesel pulling some trains too.

Bfc · Post by **Bfc** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:16 pm

Tonight I rang ex teacher Mr Simson, who along with another teacher Alan Binns took many school parties to Hest Bank. At 91 he still remembers the stone being called Jumbo Rock. The Hest Bank building housed 2 dormatries, each holding 15 pupils. The large field nearby was used as a cricket pitch. Sometimes they would walk the boys to Morecambe where they would use the swimming baths.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:18 pm

I wasn't sure ...but if you talked trains in the sixties it was them,you'd agree.

Chobulous · Post by **Chobulous** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:13 am

I went with Stoneyholme Juniors in the 60s. Definitely Jumbo Rock. I think they guy running the place was Mr Noble. On the first day you were told to be careful of Ching Chong Chinaman.

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:10 am

This post is bringing back some fond memories. My Grandparents had a static caravan at Red Bank Farm, right on the beach. Spent many a weekend there. I remember elephant / Jumbo rock and the first time I managed to climb it. We used to walk out across the sands to pebble island - remember somebody had driven a mini onto the sands and got it stuck - everytime we went back it had sunk a little more until eventually it had disappeared. I remember the Packet Boat well - it was the only place I knew that served sandwiches with tiny plastic coloured swords in the top. I remember the trampolines at Happy Mount Park - they would be condemned as dangerous nowadays....

This was all 35ish years ago - the static caravan went to a bloke on a farm up Cowpe, I used to go past it on my mountain bike.

Hendrickxz · Post by **Hendrickxz** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:47 am

I am convinced that I was taken to see the Flying Scotsman up yonder on more than one occasion, with my cousins who lived near Lancaster at the time. We had chips from a chippy across the road and waiting for the train to pass at about 1pm. Sometimes we stood on the bridge waiting to be enveloped in steam and that distinctive small. I am sure this happened because one of my cousins was and still is a rail buff and even owns his own railway and engines. I am in no position to contradict the earlier poster because rail enthusiasts usually have it right. Where's Roy Cropper when you need him!

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:51 am

Flying Scotsman came past about two years ago (just before its paint job) if that is any help.

That chippy has now closed down (now a chinese I think)

Seasideclaret · Post by **Seasideclaret** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:35 am

The building is still there, (although many changes to it have taken place). It is now called VVV Fitness Club, although at one point in the 1980's it was a disco/night club and restaurant, although cant remember its name. it is just off the Coastal Road as you leave Morecambe(passing Happy Mount Park and Morecambe Golf club on your left) and go up the hill to Hest Bank. It has over the years suffered on a number of occasions with flooding due to very high tides. You can still walk along the "beach" from VVV to Hest Bank station and beyond, also you can walk the opposite way into Morecambe along the beach.

Hendrickxz · Post by **Hendrickxz** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:35 am

Hi Lancaster. It wasn't then, I am talking 50 years ago unfortunately!

A chippy turning into a Chinese, you don't hear of that very often......

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:36 am

I did wonder which building they were referring to as I'd never heard of it!

Cheers seaside

rayzer · Post by **rayzer** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:44 am

Sutton, I also stayed at Red Bank farm. I remember the farmer shooting wood pigeons and he used to give me a sixpence when they fell out of the tree.
I too remember the sinking car and the death trap trampolines. Wasn't there also a train that ran through the park?

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:50 am

rayzer wrote:Sutton, I also stayed at Red Bank farm. I remember the farmer shooting wood pigeons and he used to give me a sixpence when they fell out of the tree.
I too remember the sinking car and the death trap trampolines. Wasn't there also a train that ran through the park?

The model train runs through the park still..

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:07 am

tim_noone wrote:The model train runs through the park still..

Glad to hear the trains still going....

Anybody know of a good campsite near Hest Bank - would love to take the kids back there.

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:37 pm

Spent many a happy day there as a child - my grandparents had a guest house in Morecambe so we often went there at holiday times. Hest Bank for playing football on the grass and watching the trains, though steam had long gone by that time. I remember them changing the bridge to one that you couldn't see the trains through, which I think was when they electrified the WCML. And occasionally we were allowed a treat of a bag of chips from the chippy, which I remember being very nice.

Happy Mount Park with the trampolines, the train that ran around the field in the centre, complete with a fibreglass tunnel over the far side. Pitch and putt at the top end of the park, table tennis under the canopy at the side of the trampolines. Large paddling pool close by that. I remember mid 70s there was a Wombles theme section in there. I went with my Dad and my brother, and the son of the woman running it started picking on my brother. I was subsequently asked to leave by the mother after filling her son in......

Brunlea · Post by **Brunlea** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:44 pm

Great memories of Hest Bank without getting too 'four yorkshiremen' about it as a kid it was the closest thing I got to a holiday away. Can still remember getting on the bus outside school (Holy Trinity) and setting off probably around 1967. Made me think of other stuff like the Lucas kids Christmas party. I think they also held a summer do at Reedley or somewhere?
Simple happy days.

Chobulous · Post by **Chobulous** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:56 pm

Lucas used to have their own sports ground at Reedley surprisingly called the Lucas Sport Ground where they held a "do" every summer. It was closed down in 1994 and there were plans to build houses on it a couple of years ago but I don't know what happened from there.

Brunlea · Post by **Brunlea** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:04 pm

Thanks Chobulous it's coming back to me now!

clansman · Post by **clansman** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 6:29 pm

Seaside claret
I think the vvv fitness club is the old cinderella club which provided holidays to poor kids from Bradford. Not the one burnley kids went to.
My partner lives in heysham and she is a member of vvv and knows the history!!

NL Claret · Post by **NL Claret** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:00 pm

Sutton-Claret wrote:Glad to hear the trains still going....

Anybody know of a good campsite near Hest Bank - would love to take the kids back there.

There's still campsite at Red Bank Farm at Bolton le Sands, never stayed there however it is not right flat! Also has a cafe called archers.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:31 pm

Sure Beamish still thinks your ablue, coyote, or is doubt entering that cerebral lobe.

Wharton/Shorrocks · Post by **Wharton/Shorrocks** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 5:52 am

Wile E Coyote wrote:Does anyone know exactly where Hest Bank camp school was ?
I know it was near Morecambe, and there is a bit actually called Hest Bank, but what was location, and what is it now?

It is a housing estate just set back from the road in Hest Bank not far from the railway crossing to the beach at Hest Bank

Wharton/Shorrocks · Post by **Wharton/Shorrocks** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:00 am

I went there in 1961 from Coal Clough I(which was at that time an all girls school). I moved to Hest Bank with my parents a few years later and remember well the holiday with the school during term time ie lessons in the morning and beach in the afternoon studying rock pools. The same summer we went as a family to Morecambe (1961) staying at Vickers Caravan Site and spending a whole day in the Swimming Stadium. I drove past the site of camp school yesterday and remember the experience very clearly as far as site of huts set in a field (away from the road) are concerned. We could very well have gone on to the tow path of the canal. Sleeping in a dorm full of girls was an experience. I remember one girl talking in her sleep much to our amusement. Thank you to the teacher if any are still alive - I am sorry that is the thing I can't remember pupil/teacher names!!

Wharton/Shorrocks · Post by **Wharton/Shorrocks** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:02 am

Seasideclaret wrote:The building is still there, (although many changes to it have taken place). It is now called VVV Fitness Club, although at one point in the 1980's it was a disco/night club and restaurant, although cant remember its name. it is just off the Coastal Road as you leave Morecambe(passing Happy Mount Park and Morecambe Golf club on your left) and go up the hill to Hest Bank. It has over the years suffered on a number of occasions with flooding due to very high tides. You can still walk along the "beach" from VVV to Hest Bank station and beyond, also you can walk the opposite way into Morecambe along the beach.

sorry you are wrong the VVV is a different site altogher - I have lived in the Morecambe Area for over 50 years and went to the camp school in 1961 from Burnley

Wharton/Shorrocks · Post by **Wharton/Shorrocks** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:03 am

NL Claret wrote:There's still campsite at Red Bank Farm at Bolton le Sands, never stayed there however it is not right flat! Also has a cafe called archers.

There is a great site in both Silverdale - Gilbralta Farm and Holgates on the road between Silverdale and Arnside

Wharton/Shorrocks · Post by **Wharton/Shorrocks** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:11 am

bfcmik wrote:The Flying Scotsman was an East Coast line train. Flying Scotsman (the engine) and mallard would not have been seen at Hest Bank at that time as they were designed for running on the straighter and flatter East Coast route. Britannias, Royal Scots, Patriots, Jubilees and Black 5s would pull most passenger and express freight trains with Black 5s, 8Fs and 9Fs pulling most standard or bulk freight trains with the occasional diesel pulling some trains too.

I thought I saw the Flying Scotsman at Manchester Road Station Burnley when I was 9 but as you say it might have been the Royal Scots - I know I had to stand well back and felt the speed (it is a strong memory). I used to go to Rosegrove trainspotting with my brother. This probably started my love of steam engines although I do not retain all the facts like other family members. Steam Town at Carnforth is always a great place to visit. As well as the wonderful Brief Encounter at Carnforth Station!!!

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 10:39 am

I thought this was going to be a thread about were iffeminate males go for a pint.

bfcmik · Post by **bfcmik** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:29 pm

Wharton/Shorrocks wrote:I thought I saw the Flying Scotsman at Manchester Road Station Burnley when I was 9 but as you say it might have been the Royal Scots - I know I had to stand well back and felt the speed (it is a strong memory). I used to go to Rosegrove trainspotting with my brother. This probably started my love of steam engines although I do not retain all the facts like other family members. Steam Town at Carnforth is always a great place to visit. As well as the wonderful Brief Encounter at Carnforth Station!!!

Flying Scotsman did come through Manchester Road on one of the many specials it ran before the end of regular steam working. I have seen a photo of kids sat on a wall near Gannow Junction watching it pass. So, at a guess, it may also have gone past Hest Bank at some stage also.

Chobulous · Post by **Chobulous** » Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:28 am

I remember the Mallard coming through Burnley in the 60s.