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For many years we have had in our possession an elaborately decorated walking stick which used to belong to an elderly neighbour who died many years ago. Unfortunately she never told us about the stick and we found it after her death in a trunk of stuff that she left for us.

The stick is intricately decorated in poker work and tiny drawings in black, red and green ink. It is headed W H 1853, followed by: WILLAM HEAP MONK HALL MEAR (probably NEAR) BURNLEY LANCASHIRE

The pictures, of which there are probably over twenty, depict animals, symbols which are possibly masonic, agricultural tools and activities, a man and woman riding in a small cart and several objects which I can't identify. At the base of the stick there is a skull and crossbones and an image of a person in a coffin. I have wondered whether it could somehow be depicting the lifetime of someone - William Heap? - or perhaps made by William Heap for some other purpose.

I see from the forum's family trees that there was a William Heap in Briercliffe area, but he was born in 1846.

If anyone can throw any light on Willam Heap or on what the purpose of the stick might be, I would be very pleased to hear from them through this forum. I could probably arrange for pictures of the stick to be available if this could be arranged.

The Heap name goes back much further than the tree you viewed (possibly mine?). Quite a popular name in the area really. If you take a look at https://www.lan-opc.org.uk/ and search, you may find a possible match though some churches/chapels have not been covered by lan-opc.

Are you able to send pictures to me and I will add them? You can send them to mel @ briercliffesociety.co.uk (Please remove the spaces...I am trying to avoid spam by putting them in there.)

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Mel

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The 1851 census shows William HEAP and family at Monk Hall. He is 52, born Worsthorne, an agricultural labourer.

Yes, indeed, HEAP common in the Briercliffe area.

This is intruiging, a photo would be great.

I guess Towneley Hall museum might be interested....

Rex

Howard has kindly sent pictures of the stick. I'll add them to inidividual messages

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Mel

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Second one

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Mel

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Third one

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Mel

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And final one...

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Mel

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Wow,isn't it lovely?

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

An amazing piece of history. I can't imagine he ever used it in a practical way. I imagine it being displayed on a wall.

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Mel

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It looks like something which would be seen on Antiques Road Show, tribal art.
Wonder if Townley Hall could spread some light on it, might be worth letting them have a look.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Howard di say he was going to go there. I think Rex? suggested it further up the page...or was it you?

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Mel

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It was Rex, I'd missed that.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Yes, the stick is a beautiful artefact. The photos can only give a very limited idea of the decoration, partly on account of the cylindrical shape, but also because there are about thirty small pictures, as well as the text at the top.

When I get the chance, I do intend to take it to Towneley Hall to see what they might have to say about it. Any other ideas or requests will be welcome.

Howard

These two pictures came to us from the same source as the walking stick. They must obviously not be as old as the stick (1853) and might well not have Briercliffe connections. However if anyone recognises either of the buildings I would be interested to identify them.

The notice on the barn door, apparently a sale advertisement, is unfortunately not very legible. The only words I can read on the original, apart from the title Valuable Property, are the seller, Mr Ralph Greenwood (?) and the estate agent, Messrs Backhouse & ?.

Rather oddly, the four figures are holding what appear to be haymaking tools, scythes for the men and rakes for the women.

Any comments will be welcome.

Howard

You made sense of my email then!

Is it worth looking on the newspaper site to see if there is an advert bearing both those names? It might narrow it down to a property/area or date? I don't currently have a subscription or I would have had a peek.

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Mel

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