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Other Information  The Ribble Valley in Lancashire lies at the heart of the United Kingdom. Clitheroe is the main town within this area and here we can find Pendleside Medical Practice, named after the famous Pendle Hill which dominates views from miles around. Clitheroe is a small market town of some 14,000 people lying on the river Ribble, it has been in existence since it first received its charter in 1177. The castle keep which lies within the town’s main park on a small hill is believed to be over 850 years old. Patients of Pendleside live within the town of Clitheroe and the many smaller villages and hamlets in the surrounding countryside; villages such as Chatburn, Gisburn, Downham (where the film “Whistledown the Wind” was filmed), Grindleton, West Bradford and Waddington. Clitheroe is also ideally placed for access to the larger cities of the North such as Manchester, Leeds, Lancaster and Liverpool but also for areas of outstanding natural beauty such as The Lakes, the Yorkshire Dales and the less well travelled Trough of Bowland.
Clitheroe is made up of a mix of older Victorian homes, more modern semi detached housing and newer purpose built housing estates. The area is a very popular place for people to live with its excellent access to larger employment centres, low unemployment, the quality of life within the area and its excellent schools and facilities. Within the local area there are many excellent primary schools located within the town and surrounding villages. The Ribble Valley is also very well served by its secondary schools. In Clitheroe it self can be found one of just 5 local authority Grammar Schools within Lancashire, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School which recently gained special status for Languages, in addition there are excellent secondary schools; Ribblesdale School which has a speciality in Technology and Bowland School with a speciality in the Arts.
The area is blessed with many excellent leisure facilities in terms of retail, sporting and entertainment.
In terms of retail there is a wide selection of individual shops to suit everyone including 3 supermarkets and many unique shops only to be found in Clitheroe. One such is the famous Byrne’s wine merchant which is visited by wine enthusiasts from all over the country in order to find one of the widest ranges of wines of all prices and vintages within their store and cellars. In addition there are clothing, food (including a butchers which sells over xxx different varieties of sausage), home and furniture stores and even a small department store – Dawson’s which now boasts the very popular Maxwell’s coffee/wine bar and is handily located right next door to the Health Centre!
For the active amongst us there are excellent facilities at the Roefield Leisure  Centre and Ribblesdale Swimming Pool. Here as well as swimming, football, badminton and a gym there are now excellent indoor and outdoor tennis courts available for hire. In addition there are 2 private gyms, 2 cricket clubs, several golf clubs and various 11 aside and 5 aside football clubs. For younger ones there are well run and popular football (Wolves), cricket (Cobras) and swimming (Dolphins) clubs and a fair few more. Recently a skate park has been opened in the Castle Park and this is hugely popular with skaters from Clitheroe and beyond. Early in 2008 an exciting new facility will be opened in York Street. Based on the old cinema (now housed within St Mary’s Church Hall) The Grand will be a state-of-the-art youth, music and arts centre that also offers a variety of services and resources to the wider community.
In terms of going out residents of the Ribble Valley are well catered for with many pubs and restaurants in the town and in the surrounding area including award winning establishments such as the Three Fishes at Mitton and the Inn at Whitewell. Within the town there is a good selection of restaurants in addition to Maxwell’s Coffee and Wine Bar. The Olive Press, which is part of the Heathcotes chain, has recently opened in York Street and the Emporium which is an impressive Victorian building spread over 3 floors caters for diners and those just after a coffee or a glass of wine. In the cellar of the building is a shop selling furniture and gifts for the home. In addition you will find many other coffee shops, bars and traditional pubs.
As you can see The Ribble Valley and Clitheroe has a lot going for it. Why not come and see for yourself.
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