Kelbrook

Kelbrook
A view towards Kelbrook
Kelbrook  Kelbrook shown within Lancashire
Population	1,026 (2001)
OS grid reference	SD902447
Civil parish	Kelbrook and Sough
District	Pendle
Shire county	Lancashire
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BARNOLDSWICK
Postcode district	BB18
Dialling code	01282
Police	Lancashire
Fire	Lancashire
Ambulance	North West
EU Parliament	North West England
UK Parliament	Pendle
List of places UK England Lancashire

Coordinates: 53°53′53″N 2°08′56″W / 53.898°N 2.149°W / 53.898; -2.149

Kelbrook is a village in the Borough of Pendle, in Lancashire, England. It lies on the A56 road between Colne and Earby. It has a population of 1,026.

Historically a part of the now divided old parish of Thornton-in-Craven in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Kelbrook was administered as part of Skipton Rural District, until boundary changes in 1974. Kelbrook lies in West Craven, so keeping cultural links with Yorkshire and Craven.

Kelbrook School is situated in the heart of the village. The highest building in the village is the village church, St Mary's of Kelbrook. Other local towns and villages are Barnoldswick - 2 miles west, Earby - 1 mile north, Salterforth - 1 mile west, Thornton in Craven - 2 miles north, Foulridge - 2 miles south, Colne - 3½ miles south.

Elisabeth Beresford, the creator of the Wombles, wrote much of the second Wombles book, The Wandering Wombles, whilst staying in a cottage on Dotcliffe Road in 1970. The Kelbrook and Sough Wombles, the local litter-picking group made up of local residents, is named in tribute to this local nexus.^[1] Edward Woodward lived in Kelbrook for six weeks in 1973 whilst preparing for his role in the Wicker Man.

The residents of Kelbrook are affectionately called Kelbricks.

This village has many charming customs, for instance during a wedding it is tradition for young residents of the village to lock the church gates and demand money from the bride and groom.^[2] A more recent custom is to make scarecrows of literary characters from children's books^[3] and to race ducks.^[4] on Kelbrook Beck.

Tourism

The main A56 road runs through the village. Kelbrook has one public house named the Craven Heifer,^[5] named after a local cow which was born in 1807 and achieved nationwide fame due to its size.^[6] The public house was previously named the Scotsmans Arms. The public house changed name between 1853 and 1891.

Other attractions include the Kelbrook Pottery factory ^[7] and the annual art exhibition.^[4] The village also has a fish and chip restaurant ^[8] and a petrol station with a shop.^[9]

References