The Nick O’ Thungs Outings
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Barrowforder of a certain age will remember the Nick O’ Thungs outings well. The outings took the form of an annual BBQ in the
countryside, organised as charitable events. Barrowford was not alone in staging these communal outings as other Pendleside villages
also had their own versions. The events were mainly organised by local Working Men’s Clubs, the Barrowford one being provided by
the Lamb Club. Villages such as Newchurch-in-Pendle would hold their events at places like Dry Clough on the slopes of Pendle,
and Rimington Moor. Barrowford, at least in the 20th century, tended to hold their meeting on the slopes of Blacko Hillside where the
above photograph was taken.
Local shopkeepers would donate goods such as meat, bread, confectionery and vegetables whilst (more importantly) the Lamb Club
would provide barrels of ale at cost price. Local waggon owners would provide the transport to ferry families up to the fields where the
fun was to be had. My mother recalls that the Thungs was famous for providing copious amounts of nettle pudding which always proved
popular.
Opinion is divided as to where the name of Nick O’ Thungs originated, some say that it came from a tongue-twister featuring “Thimble
Thungs Thistlethwaite” that had to be recited before beer was served. Others think that the charity was devised, or revived, by “American
Tom” who was a Barrowforder returned from fighting in the American Civil War. There is, however, another possibility here, one that
may take the outing back over 1,000 years - the term ‘Thungs’ appears to me to be closely related to the Anglo-Saxon term “Thing”
meaning “gathering, especially for law-making.” This is roughly the same as the Saxon “moots” whereby people under the auspices of their
Nobleman, or lord, would gather at a specific spot, usually a stone, hill or tree, and vent their grievances. Also the lord would inform the
gathering of any changes to land tenure etc, within their area. The word “Nick,” can refer to the devil but more commonly is associated
with topographical features ie. a road or trackway cutting through a hillside (as in the Nick O’ Pendle). It would not surprise me if the
Nick O’ Thungs is an age-old folk-memory of people from villages and related farms gathering on the Blacko Hill, near to the road (Nick)
that traverses it. In another article (see Admergill) I have attempted to show that nearby Admergill was firmly established as an important
Saxon Centre, if this were accepted then it is reasonable to assume that the Blacko Hill would be used by the local ‘Law-Givers’ as a
gathering ground foe the moots of the local people.
countryside, organised as charitable events. Barrowford was not alone in staging these communal outings as other Pendleside villages
also had their own versions. The events were mainly organised by local Working Men’s Clubs, the Barrowford one being provided by
the Lamb Club. Villages such as Newchurch-
above photograph was taken.
Local shopkeepers would donate goods such as meat, bread, confectionery and vegetables whilst (more importantly) the Lamb Club
would provide barrels of ale at cost price. Local waggon owners would provide the transport to ferry families up to the fields where the
fun was to be had. My mother recalls that the Thungs was famous for providing copious amounts of nettle pudding which always proved
popular.
Opinion is divided as to where the name of Nick O’ Thungs originated, some say that it came from a tongue-
Tom” who was a Barrowforder returned from fighting in the American Civil War. There is, however, another possibility here, one that
may take the outing back over 1,000 years -
gathering of any changes to land tenure etc, within their area. The word “Nick,” can refer to the devil but more commonly is associated
with topographical features ie. a road or trackway cutting through a hillside (as in the Nick O’ Pendle). It would not surprise me if the
Nick O’ Thungs is an age-
Saxon Centre, if this were accepted then it is reasonable to assume that the Blacko Hill would be used by the local ‘Law-
This photograph (courtesy ofnelson Library) is difficult to quantify. The date may be around 1910. It is possible
that this is a Nick O’ Thungs gathering, possibly on the level, previously wooded, area below Blacko Tower. The
cooking pots are serious pieces of kit and could supply a number of people. It also possible, however, that these
men are workers from a building project and their meals were supplied on site, they have the clothing of workmen
rather than the Sunday best they would wear on a communal outing..
that this is a Nick O’ Thungs gathering, possibly on the level, previously wooded, area below Blacko Tower. The
cooking pots are serious pieces of kit and could supply a number of people. It also possible, however, that these
men are workers from a building project and their meals were supplied on site, they have the clothing of workmen
rather than the Sunday best they would wear on a communal outing..
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John A Clayton
