ON Saturday I mentioned an obelisk on the side of Winter Hill, and Mr F Woodward, of Sheep Cote Green Farm, Smithills, asked if anyone knew details about it.

Well, the answer so far is "no".

However, a couple of people have contacted me. Connie Walker, a one-time member of Friends of Smithills Hall, tells me that some years ago, she, together with David Mills and Frank Makin, went to look for the obelisk. They didn't find it, but while walking up Devil's Dyke, off Coal Pit Road, they did spot what appeared to be a circle of white stones. She also says that on a 1787 map, on the right of Walker Fold (if travelling towards Colliers' Row), a vineyard is marked.

Another message came from reader John E Rutter, who says that he has not seen the obelisk in question, but he may have a possible answer to the query. "In the north end of Westhoughton, between Wingates and Fourgates (the haunts of my youth), there is an obelisk about three feet high. It lies on a path which runs south of and parallel to Chorley Road, opposite Bluebell Cottages. I was over 60 years old before I found why it was there. I used to go for a chat with the late John Gordon. He had a photographic memory, an unending repertoire of stories, and was an expert on the local area. He told me that the obelisk was placed there to mark the highest point in Westhoughton above sea level. I see no reason to doubt him."

Perhaps so far so good. But as far as I can ascertain, the one on the side of Winter Hill isn't the highest point in that particular area.