Singing and walking may become a theme this week.
We, the Rockman and I, were on our way back from visiting the Pieman in Yorkshire. He has had a rough time of late, slow recovery from a hip operation, only to be followed by a disastrous fall, which broke his other hip, ending in a prolonged hospitalisation. He is making some progress and was just about up to our company. We go back a long way, climbing and walking, and have shared many an epic. So there was a lot to chat about, and his wife is very patient. Not to over tire him, we leave early afternoon, and that is how we find ourselves parked up for a visit to the Singing, Ringing Tree.
The Singing Ringing Tree is one of a series of four 21st-century landmarks, or Panopticons (structures providing a comprehensive view), in East Lancashire. I have written about it before and have visited several times. The Rockman had expressed a desire to visit the site, and as it wasn’t that far off our planned journey, we made the effort to run the gauntlet of traffic through Colne and round Burnley on the M65. Climbing a thousand feet up minor roads onto the moors, we reach Crown Point with dramatic views over Burnley and the backside of Pendle. The little car park always looks a bit dodgy, made worse by litter and flytipping.
The result of all that climbing is that it is decidedly chilly up here, but the strong breeze bodes well for the singing. The Singing Ringing Tree has been constructed from open-ended metal pipes, which, in the right conditions, i.e. windy ones, produce an eerie whistling sound that I’ve experienced on more than one occasion. Think of blowing across the top of a milk bottle. It can be seen in the distance, tree-like, and it is only a ten-minute walk away. 
The statue is quite dramatic on the edge of the moorland, looking down to the industrial Burnley conurbation as well as Pendle and Rossendale. The three peaks are visible on a good day. But never mind the views we had come to hear it singing, and today, for some reason, it wasn’t. Was the wind in the wrong direction? I blew down a few tubes, but that didn’t impress my companion.
Defeated, we returned to the warmth of the car for our continuing ride home.
Thanks to the Rockman for driving me to see the Pieman, which was a worthwhile visit. I’m only sorry he wasn’t rewarded with a singing tree. So here, to appease him and you, is a YouTube video of the tree in a more melodious mood.
For those of you who haven’t read some of my historic trekking posts, here’s an explanation of the affectionate names I use for my four close friends of many decades. The Pieman – the caterer. The Rockman – the geologist. The Professor – the teacher. The Plastic Bag Man – the purveyor of all things in plastic bags, sadly no longer with us. Heaven forbid what they call me.
No singing today, but let’s see what the week brings.
I have yet to visit the tree. Your description of the carpark does give me pause, but it’ll have to be done sooner or later.
I see ‘dodgy carparks’ everywhere these days. A walk up from Townley Hall is more rewarding.
I wasn’t impressed with the tree when I went there a few years ago, it looks just like what it is, a load of old scaffolding tubes bolted together. As for the ‘singing’ it sounds more like a ghostly moaning. Imo not worth making a special journey to see. The car park was fine when I went, maybe I was there on a good day.
I agree with most of your points.
The Atom above Wycoller is better. Colourfields in Blackburn a waste of money. I haven’t visited the Halo in Rossendale.
They are all probably better appreciated when unexpectedly discovered while on a walk
I see dodgy car parks everywhere these days, at least in my mind. .
I wasn’t impressed with Colourfields either when I visited in 2020, it was very underwhelming, dull and colourless, and I don’t suppose it’s any better now.
No it isn’t.
The mention of the ‘singing ringing tree’ gives me nightmares about the human bear in the German? Children’s tv programme of the same name in the 60’s/70’s
That was the scariest children’s program ever made.
I second that!
I can’t speak to the up-close merits of that sculpture, but it makes for some cracking distant images, especially against that moody backdrop.
It is in a dramatic situation. Burnley is always a bit moody. I see a dinosaur.
I was up there on Saturday!
Was it singing for you? We were there about 3 pm.
We were there about 1 ish. No singing. Not enough wind!
The sculpture is similar to the Sibelius memorial in Helsinki.
Does the Helsinki memorial play Finlandia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6rVumk504Q
Only when the wind is blowing from the north 😉
Spectacular situation. Needs a good windy day for the full effect.
A long time since I heard Finlandia – I enjoyed that version.
Love the flutes.
That is a nice piece of art.
I’m a bit late to the party here, but dare I say, I was blown away by the Singing Tree after my intial attempt to find it during my Berwick upon Tweed to Castle Cary walk:
July 2018 – “I went in search of the Singing Whistling Tree but never found it. Knowing it is perched on top of a hill it should have been easy but in the heat I gave it up as a bad job”
Then whilst ticking off a few trigs in August 2021 I diverted to make the visit.
Here is a link to the video I made now posted on You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hbq6ruK2eE
Unfortunately the wind took the main part, but the haunting sounds can be heard. In contrast to your other commenters I was pretty well impressed with it as a performer and as a sculpture. Here is a link to the post if you want to read more.
https://conradwalks.blogspot.com/2021/08/trigs-103-singing-tree-plus-three.html
I actually do like the Singing Ringjng Tree, though when it does sing, it is quite spooky I agree, like ghostly murmuring.
You need to find out your name. Probably Blog Man or Camera Man. 😊
Ha Ha. Maybe Map Man. When I was climbing a lot, one friend had me annotated in his phone book, “Anytime, Anywhere”
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