Marshaw is at the right hand extremity (east), north of the young River Wyre and at the entrance to the Trough of Bowland. Abbeystead is to the left (west) and Lower Greenbank Farm is to the upper left, (north west).
South is the rising Hawthornthwaite Fell that with Catshaw Fell and other lands was in Mr John’s holding and on which the sheep ran.
Marshaw was to the east of Abbeystead on the road through the Trough to Dunsop Bridge. Set near to the River Wyre, the farmhouse was built in 1658 of stone, as was the yard. Surrounding it were the barns, shippons, stables, implement sheds, pig sties and other buildings. To the north rose Tarnbrook Fell, and to the south Hawthornthwaite Fell. Toward the tops it was open moor, and lower down bisected by miles of stone walls, more moor, meadows, pasture and newly ploughed arable fields.
The Drinkalls & My Accommodations
Mrs Drinkall greeted me warmly and gave me a fresh and snug bedroom up in the attic. And with no electricity – it was not installed until 1951 – I used to light my way up to it by candle, as I had done at Greenbank Farm. Oil lamps were used in the rest of the house. In the kitchen was a coal fired Aga stove that was never allowed to go out. The highly polished lamps always gave out a good light and I found their smell quite pleasing. Returning to the house’s kitchen after being out on a bleak and dark winters day was a welcome joy as the stove in the kitchen always kept it snug and warm. On this stove Mrs Drinkall was an expert and did all the cooking, producing the most wonderful appetizing meals. She also had some “help” from a local girl, preparing vegetables, washing and cleaning up.
I am David Drinkall, born and raised at Marshaw and would love to hear more stories about Marshaw.