Hi there Slowcoach - you're near where I am at the abandonned bus off Hartleyburn Common. I've spent the last few days swotting up on Ugglebarnby-Slaithwaite (its not easy carrying all 7 volumes). But now I am fully prepared. Expect a killer move shortly.

I feel (another) ignominious defeat looming!

In my studying of Ugglebarnby/Slaithwaite, I was drawn to the footnote under Rule 73 (sub-section 2) which refers to Julius Offenbach's history of the development of the Ugglebarnby/Slaithwaite rules. Given that I was holed up on Hartleyburn Common, it was always going to be a challenge for me to get hold of such an erudite volume, but I am indebted to Mr Andrew Tredwell from Alston Public Library who left no stone unturned in finding me a copy to peruse.

It is a little known fact that in about 1895, John Ugglebarnby fell out with Jebediah Slaithwaite over the Tan Hill Inn rule (ie. Rule number 73 - sub-section 2 - the rule that actually does permit Tom's support for Sentinel). Slaithwaite, always the purist, argued that the Tan Hill Inn rule would be against the spirit of the game, but Ugglebarnby saw the commercial possibilities of allowing the move, and had little difficulty in persuading the rules committee to support him. Jebediah - a broken man, died shortly after, and his opposition to the Tan Hill Inn rule died with him. The rest, as they say, is history.

Perhaps we should start a campaign for Slaithwaite's original purist approach - it could certainly be argued that the game is now far too commercial (let's face it - even Ugglebarnby would have been turning in his grave watching the Laddow Rocks scandal unfold) and we need to return to the more simple and honest form of the game.

Their disagreement is still a talking point on the long winters evenings in the pubs around Great Barugh. The Cholmondleys and the Colquehouns still maintain a family feud.

I've been stuck in Blenkinsopp Common for twenty days now and I have been carrying out some research of my own.

Did you know there used to be a colliery here, known as Blenkinsopp Colliery which actually goes right under the Common? One day in 1908 a roof collapsed and the mine started to flood. All the men managed to escape with the exception of one man - James William Wharton - a hewer who was trapped in the mine. Three men went to rescue him and were never seen again. The mine re-opened and finally closed in 2003.

A memorial to the disaster stands in the local church, but they also added a new rule. In recognition of the bravery of the three men who died, Rule 278 was created which states that:

"any man who become stuck, incapacitated or bogged in the mire for 7 days or more may call upon the hewer James William Wharton who will assist in any way he sees fit"

During my long nights on Blenkinsopp I have met James William Wharton several times and had many an interesting conversations with him. He has also agreed to help me out of my predicament and has invoked rule 278 and I am pleased to tell you that I have just made it to Bellingham.

out of the frying pan into the fire so you thought it was boggy on Blenkinsopp common just wait till you pass paddon hill.You will get bogged down in the mire again and there are no spooks to get you out of it.